Obama, Romney roast each other at Alfred E. Smith Dinner - Washington Post (blog) [ournewsa.blogspot.com]

Obama, Romney roast each other at Alfred E. Smith Dinner - Washington Post (blog) [ournewsa.blogspot.com]

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By Philip Rucker, Dan Balz and David Nakamura

NEW YORK â€" Two nights after one of the most contentious debates in modern presidential history, President Obama and Mitt Romney put aside their political differences on Thursday night to trade jokes and playfully roast each other.
 
Dressed in white tie at a glittering dinner in midtown Manhattan, the two men delivered speeches at the Alfred E. Smith Dinner, the Catholic Archdiocese of New York’s annual charity benefit that every four years hosts the presidential candidates for a lighthearted break from the grueling campaign.

“This is the third time that Governor Romney and I have met recently,” Obama said. “Some of you may have noticed, I had a lot more energy in our second debate. I felt really well rested after the nice long nap I had in the first debate.”
 
Romney, sitting with his wife Ann a couple seats down on the dais at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel, laughed. “It’s taken New York’s highest spiritual authority to get us back on our best behavior,” Romney quipped.
 
The Republican nominee began his roast by making light of his stiff persona.
 
“A campaign can require a lot of wardrobe changes â€" blue jeans in the morning, perhaps, suits for a lunch fundraiser, sport coat for dinner â€" but it’s nice to finally relax and wear what Ann and I wear around the house,” Romney said.

And he singled out New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, also seated at the dais, with a joking reference to his own political resume. Cuomo, he said, is “already being talked about for higher office. A very impressive fellow, but he may be getting a little ahead of himself. I mean, let me get this straight: The man has put in one term as a governor, he has a father who happened to be a governor and he thinks that’s enough to run for president?”

But Romney seemed to aim more of his humor at the president than at himself. “Of course, we’re down to the final months of the president’s term. As President Obama surveys the Waldorf banquet room with everybody in white tie and finery you have to wonder what he’s thinking: ‘So little time, so much to redistribute.’”

Romney added that he and Obama are both “very lucky to have one person who’s always in our corner, someone who we can lean on and someone who is a comforting presence without whom we wouldn’t be able to go another day. I have my beautiful wife, Ann; he has Bill Clinton.”

And Romney took a shot at the press, joking that he had “already seen early reports from tonight’s dinner. Headline: ‘Obama Embraced by Catholics, Romney Dines with Rich People.’”

Obama, following Romney at the podium, began his roast by asking everyone to “please take their seats. Otherwise Clint Eastwood will yell at them.”
 
The president twice made light of his performance in the first debate on Oct. 3, which was also his and Michelle’s wedding anniversary. “There are worse things that can happen to you on your anniversary than forgetting to buy a gift,” Obama quipped.
 
But he offered a preview of the third debate. “Monday’s debate is a little bit different because the topic is foreign policy,” Obama said. “Spoiler alert: We got Bin Laden.”
 
Noting that “Mitt” is actually Romney’s middle name, Obama said, “I wish I could use my middle name.” (The president’s middle name is Hussein.)

Obama took some shots at his rival, too, saying, “Earlier today I went shopping at some stores in Midtown. I understand Governor Romney went shopping for some stores in Midtown.”
 
And the president made light of Romney’s tumultuous overseas trip this summer, in which the Republican angered the British people by questioning London’s readiness to host the Olympics.
 
“Of course, world affairs are a challenge for every candidate,” Obama said. “After my foreign trip in 2008, I was attacked as a celebrity because I was so popular with our allies overseas. And I have to say, I’m impressed with how well Governor Romney has avoided that problem.” At that, Obama looked over to make eye contact with Romney and the two laughed.
 
Both candidates used Vice President Biden as a punching bag. Obama remarked how much had changed since he first addressed this dinner in 2008. “I’ve heard some people say, ‘Barack, you’re not as young as you used to be. Where’s that golden smile? Where’s that pep in your step?’ And I say, ‘Settle down, Joe, I’m trying to run a cabinet meeting.’”
 
Al Smith IV, the great-grandson of the dinner’s namesake, who was a former New York governor and the first Catholic nominated for president, shared some jokes of his own while introducing Obama and Romney. Acknowledging the women in the room, Smith referenced Romney’s controversial remark in Tuesday night’s debate by saying, “It’s good to see who’s getting out of those binders.”
 
Later, Smith congratulated Romney for giving more than 10 percent of his income to charity. But, he joked, “the charity is the federal government.”
 
He took a shot at Obama, too. “We recognize that you have some challenges this year. It’s never good when your opponent has produced more sons than you have jobs.”
 
Smith also poked fun at Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York and a man of considerable girth, who sat between the two candidates. He joked that they were separated by a “vast expanse.”

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Question by Betty Mae Bop: How is "it's a free country" a logical justification for unethical behavior? It always confuses me when people say that. How does that make something right? Best answer for How is "it's a free country" a logical justification for unethical behavior?:

Answer by Bicho
It's not.

Answer by niwriffej
By no means does it make it right, however, illegal and unethical are not always the same thing. It's ugly, but better that than someone imposing their code of conduct upon you with the force of law, really.

Answer by wendygirl1000
It doesn't. It is just an excuse for people who don't want to change or take responsibility for their behaviour.

Answer by Escence
Its not really a free country...If people would be smart enough..the ammendment specificaly say what is free in this country...for example..freedom of speech does not mean..go arroud talking bad about people..and bashing them..Freedom of speech is made for the media..not the people

Answer by Oobily Ghepp
Ethics is a subjective topic. What may be ethical to you might be an abomination to me. We should not legislate ethics, and, in many respects this is still a free country

Answer by Tim G
The concept is that of individualism verses collectivism. If we exist in a completely "Free Country" then in theory the individual is supreme and the collective has no standing. As such the individual has has the right to do whatever as they please since there is no restriction on them. Obviously our societies don't function that way. A less drastic stand is that if something is unethical but not illegal then they they are free to pursue it because they don't recognize it as unethical. After all some people believe that ethics don't even exist let alone what is and is not ethical. Either of these can be the justification for the use of the line "it's a free country" and there are probably others.

Answer by mycountryfamily
Alot of people don't even know the true meaning behind "it's a free country". When someone uses that to justify unethical behavior it's because they really know it's wrong themselves. Kinda like a kid saying, "na nanny boo boo".

Answer by tilly
well, I guess they have free will. That's what they mean, but it's not justifiable to break the law in any way shape or form. Oh yeah, it's a free country, you are "free" to do what you want SOMETIMES but there's consequences to your actions. It doesn't mean that since it's a "free" country, there won't be consequences to anything you do.

Answer by Annie
You are right- it's not a logical justification. It's a selfish childish reaction- Someone who wants to always get their way feel that their right to (fill in the blank), ethical or otherwise is more important than adhering to ethical and moral ideals. Legal and ethical are 2 VERY different things. Unfortunately, not everyone feels that ethics don't matter.... they have no conscience. Right and wrong hinge on what they can get away with..... I have a right to swing my hand wherever I want- it's a free country, right?.... I can swing all I want... until my hand comes in contact with your face- then my rights end.... I have all the rights in the world until they interfere with someone else's rights.

Answer by thisisabsurd
its not.

[country]

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