Obama Plays Comedian At Correspondents’ Dinner
President Obama told all manner of jokes last night at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, roasting himself, his administration, his party, the opposition, and the press:
My personal favorite: “Now Sasha and Malia aren’t here tonight, because they’re grounded. You can’t just take Air Force One on a joyride to Manhattan. I don’t care whose kids you are.”
Cheney: Opponents “Prepared To Sacrifice American Lives”
Former Vice President Dick Cheney appeared today on Face The Nation, and he had a tough response to the Obama Administration’s opposition to his approved methods of interrogation: “Well, then you’d have to say that, in effect, we’re prepared to sacrifice American lives rather than run an intelligent interrogation program that would provide us the information we need to protect America.”
Biden Gives Commencement Speech At Syracuse
Vice President Biden delivered the commencement address this morning at Syracuse University, his alma mater, describing both the challenges facing the country right now and his optimism that they will be overcome: “I am more optimistic today than I have ever been in my life, because of you, because of where we are.”
Pelosi Wants To Strengthen U.S. Intelligence In Iraq
Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a surprise trip to Baghdad today, where he she called for a vigorous U.S. intelligence presence in the country. “If we are going to have a diminished physical military presence,” said Pelosi, “we are have to have a strong intelligence presence.”
Jones: Unknown whether Bin Laden Is Alive Or Dead
National Security Adviser Jim Jones appeared on This Week, and said it is unknown whether Osama bin Laden is alive or dead. “The best intelligence is that we, we gauge our reaction based on what intelligence we have, and it is inconclusive,” said Jones.
Petraeus: Al Qaeda No Longer Based In Afghanistan
Appearing on CNN’s State of the Union, U.S. CENTCOM Commander Gen. David Petraeus said that al Qaeda is no longer based in Afghanistan. “They do come in and out of Afghanistan,” said Petraeus. “But al Qaeda – precise al Qaeda, if you will – is not based per se in Afghanistan. Although its elements and certainly its affiliates…certainly do have enclaves and sanctuaries in certain parts of Eastern Afghanistan.”
Gingrich Criticizes Notre Dame For Obama Invite
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Newt Gingrich criticized the University of Notre Dame for planning to grant President Obama an honorary degree next weekend. “To the degree that Notre Dame still thinks of itself as a Catholic institution, it raises real questions,” said Gingrich. He added: “But look — I’m a new convert. I’ll let the Vatican speak for the church. I’m just speaking for Newt Gingrich.”
Bunning Reaffirms That He’s Running In 2010
The Louisville Courier-Journal reports that Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY), who has accused his party leadership of trying to force him into retirement, reaffirmed at last night’s state GOP Lincoln Day Dinner that he is running again in 2010. “I am nobody’s puppet, I am my own man,” said Bunning. Bunning and his co-Senator Mitch McConnell, the Senate GOP Leader, sat at different tables.
