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Barack Obama and Mitt Romney launch zingers at annual roast

‘Please take your seats or Clint Eastwood will yell at them’

During a somewhat bizarre presidential race tradition, President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney faced off again Thursday night, but this time it was a comedic battle at the 67th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Dinner fundraiser in New York City.

In the spirit of the roast, candidates weren’t too proud for a little self-deprecating humour, with Romeny kicking off the night by poking fun at his own wealth.

“A campaign can include a lot of wardrobe changes, blue jeans in the morning, perhaps, suits for a lunch fundraiser, sport coat for dinner, but it’s nice to finally relax and to wear what Ann and I wear around the house,” said Romney, who was sporting his best white-tie tuxedo.

Romney also poked fun at his Mormon religion, which doesn’t allow drinking, saying the Cardinal sitting next to him may turn his water into wine if he doesn’t like him. “Usually, when I get invited to gatherings like this, it’s just to be the designated driver,” Romney later joked.

Obama, meanwhile, wasn’t too proud to point to his dismal first debate performance, saying: “This is the third time Gov. Romney and I have met recently. As 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.”

However, Obama told the crowd that he was willing to take a lesson from his first debate performance.

“I learned that there are worse things that can happen to your on your anniversary than forgetting to buy a gift,” he said.

Here’s a recap of some of the top moments, or you can watch both speeches, in their entirety, on C-Span.

 

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