Obama, Sykes, Limbaugh Slated To Be Today's Media Obsession

UPDATE: White House weighs in on Sykes-Limbaugh: 9/11 jokes aren't funny.

* * * *

It's a fact of life that sometimes, events unfold in such a way that you can smell a White House Press Corps obsession coming from a mile away. And while this Sunday's morning chat made me feel like a whole lot of new attention should be given to our regional partners in the Afghanistan/Pakistan region, I can tell you for certain that today's press cycle shall be given over to the subject of laughter.

Specifically, the topic of Wanda Sykes, and the laughter of President Barack Obama at this weekend's White House Press Correspondents' Dinner, and specifically a joke, made at Rush "I Hope He Fails" Limbaugh's expense. "I hope his kidneys fail." (You can watch her full speech HERE.)

Oh, and the joke? I don't much go in for humor based in ultra-personal, real-life death fantasies, and renal failure, on top of that, has always struck me as a particularly sad way to die. Jokes about it, and this one in particular, approach the same level of unfunniness as say, jokes about armed forces members gunning down Congressional leaders. (By the way, go out and make note of all those David Feherty defenders who've suddenly discovered outrage this morning. I bet you they are out there.)

This whole incident drew the hot-blooded attention of Matt Drudge, and sure enough, we wake up today in a world where this terrible crisis is about to bloom with a perilous intensity.

From "The Fix," today:

The question percolating in Washington as a new week starts is whether comedian Wanda Sykes's shots at conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh at the White House Correspondents Dinner were the former, the latter or somewhere in between.

[...]

"Maybe Rush Limbaugh was the 20th hijacker but he was so strung out on Oxycontin he missed his flight. . . . I hope his kidneys fail."

"Too much?" Sykes asked, when the lines drew a mixture of laughter and boos.

That was the question debated throughout Washington on Sunday -- whether Sykes had crossed an imaginary line with her attacks on Limbaugh, turning a fun night into a harder-edged partisan affair.

And on the Today show, David Gregory and Meredith Vieira have already taken up the issue:

[WATCH]

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You can expect the White House Press Corps to pepper Robert Gibbs with questions today about how could Obama have laughed at something so terrible. Obviously, it would be unwise and impolitic of Robert Gibbs to reply this way, but one almost wishes he would respond by saying, "It was your party. And all of you laughed, too."

[WATCH]

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Comments

[wilray]

01:45 AM on 05/17/2009

I'd liked to hear Elizabeth, Ru pert Mur dock's daughter weigh in on the controversy

http://news.muckety.com/2008/04/02/elisabeth-murdoch-follows-own-path-to-obama/1741

[mariannef]

01:55 AM on 05/14/2009

All anyone is talking about his the Rush Limbaugh joke, but she had GREAT material! Everything else was so funny!! Especially loved the Joe Biden joke!

[che1111]

12:57 AM on 05/14/2009

Wanda Sykes, like Steven Colbert, rocked the White House Correspondents dinner. So funny when someone on the right becomes a target, suddenly, their big mouths just don't know what to say. What was that horrible racist song that was sent out to a bunch of repugs that was supposed to be humorous? I think Wanda is totally awesome and even more so for hitting Rush with some of his own venom (only obviously satirical).

[ChelseaC]

12:55 AM on 05/14/2009

It's one thing to joke about Limbaugh and his Oxycotin use as he's a hypocrite,but it could have been said without 9/11 being involved. I thought it was tasteless to joke about 9/11. 9/11 is NOT a joke under ANY circumstances.
I like Wanda, but not that joke. Yes, Limbaugh is a jerk--but this joke was over the top.
Thumbs down.

[Colorado Bobby]

02:39 AM on 05/14/2009

The function of the "Court Jester" is to say what we're all thinking so the king (president) can hear it said.

Wanda you rock!

[Dustee]

09:53 AM on 05/14/2009

I so totally agree.

I see it as Rush 'I hope the country fails' Limbaugh is a danger to the country. Her vitriol is towards Limbaugh and his is toward president and the whole country.

[Wordstosay]

10:18 PM on 05/13/2009

There was no need to scream Wanda told it as an American would feel when traitors to this nation express there anti love for America and our master in Chief.! Warning to all! This is a nation I do care about and when individuals like Limbaugh fail to correct the wrong directions of this nation... he had started an attack against the constitution and our goal for a perfect nation!
The voice of Limbaugh are not wanted when more misery are seen and if we continue to follow his line of thought we will fail as human beings. Warning to weak minded this nation will move forward and reach perfection and if want to to jump aboard come on for we are moving fast...

[kiss]

09:28 PM on 05/13/2009

Since when did criticizing Rush Limbaugh represent the other side? He's being supported by a tiny, waning group of white fat cats, and we are supposed to respect him as representative of the opposition? Why because he's loud and people in the media needs to create conflict so they have "news" to report?

[CherokeeGirl]

06:51 PM on 05/13/2009

Wanda, NEVER apologize for a GOOD JOKE!

I can't believe Keith Olberman threw you under the bus, I'm mad at Keith for that.

After all the filth and garbage that spews from the mouth of the right, they can dish it out but can't take it, just like with the rest of their politics.

I applaud your bravery and hope you get even more famous!

Great joke writing, never apologize!

Everyone who found that joke offensive needs to lighten up!

[Dustee]

11:16 PM on 05/13/2009

Here, here!

[ChelseaC]

12:57 AM on 05/14/2009

I stand with Keith.

[Mysticalsister]

05:49 PM on 05/13/2009

We love you Wanda! Too, too funny, girlfriend!

Marriage Equality For California Now!

[PresWatch]

04:27 PM on 05/13/2009

Wanda should emulate that paragon of taste and restraint Ann Coulter, who would never stoop to personal attacks against someone she disagrees with.

[PresWatch]

04:00 PM on 05/13/2009

Wanda needs to emulate that paragon of taste and restraint Ann Coulter.

[kiran1207]

02:41 PM on 05/13/2009

Let's just remember what Rush said about Michael J Fox, and that his Parkinson's disease. And it is not a joke!

[ChelseaC]

01:02 AM on 05/14/2009

Rush deserves to be be made fun of, no doubt about it(and yes, that was AWFUL what Rush said about MJ Fox), but some things like 9/11 you just don't joke about. There are so many ways to make fun of this slob in a far more appropriate manner.

[kiran1207]

02:23 PM on 05/13/2009

By the way Wanda has the right to say what she wants it's called FREEDOM of SPEECH, and the right wing is not the only people you can exercise that right.

[ChelseaC]

01:04 AM on 05/14/2009

Of course Wanda has the right to say what she did, as we have the right to critique her jokes--good or bad. Relax.

[smiz]

02:13 PM on 05/13/2009

The Regressives follow the Pied Piper blindly, Too bad the children never came back, but I wish the Regressives would go into the mountain, never come back and them we would have our country back.

[Forest]

02:01 PM on 05/13/2009

I forced myself to listen to 10 minutes of Rush Limbaugh radio a few days ago----10 minutes of listening
to a guy who was stuck in an us vs. them script. I think he's being used.

[Miketou]

01:44 PM on 05/13/2009

This is such a non-story. No one is buying this faux outrage! Basically the Wanda said what most of us are thinking.

[Mysticalsister]

05:51 PM on 05/13/2009

Amen -- and she made it FUNNY!