(What’s so funny ’bout) Obama’s WHCA speech

President Obama spoke at the annual dinner of the White House Correspondents’ Association last night. The Washington Post has compiled its coverage of the dinner and Obama’s speech here. It has posted the video here.
The controversy over Obama’s birth certificate and the release of the long-form certificate provided the motif for Obama’s jabs at the field of Republican contenders. The Hill briefly runs down these jabs here. Minnesota took pride of place in Obama’s review of the field:

First up was Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota.
“She is thinking about running for president, which is weird because I hear she was born in Canada,” Obama said. “Yes Michele this is how it starts; just letting you know.”
Next came former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
“He seems all-American, but have you heard his real middle name?” Obama asked. “Tim Hosni Pawlenty, what a shame.”

Not funny. Not even pointed. Watching the speech, however, I thought this obvious shot at Mitt Romney bit:

“Then there’s a vicious rumor floating around about Mitt Romney. I hear he passed universal healthcare when he was governor of Massachusetts.”

Obama quickly moved on from Romney to Donald Trump, who was in the audience. When it came to Trump, Obama poured it on. Is it just because Trump is good material? I don’t think so. Trump has gotten under Obama’s skin, which is extraordinarily thin.

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