Al Smith Dinner: Obama, Mitt Romney Trade Zingers During Annual Event

Reuters | By Steve Holland and Andy Sullivan Posted: 10/18/2012 9:52 pm EDT Updated: 10/19/2012 12:27 pm EDT

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NEW YORK, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Locked in a tense race with time running out, President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney took time off to exchange light-hearted jabs and make fun of each other on Thursday in a joint appearance at a high-profile charity dinner.

Two days after a brutal debate in which they exchanged verbal blows and stalked each other on stage, Obama and Romney greeted each other warmly, dressed formally in white tie and tails.

But the combativeness of the campaign trail was ever-present as the two foes gave back-to-back speeches at the 67th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner.

Romney, speaking first, said Obama, who wants to increase taxes on the wealthy to help fund government programs, must have had some thoughts as he looked out at the crowd of wealthy people at the dinner.

"You have to wonder what he's thinking: So little time, so much to redistribute," he said.

Obama, when it was his turn, made fun of Romney's vast wealth.

"Earlier I went shopping at some stores in Midtown. I understand Governor Romney went shopping for some stores in Midtown," he said.

The Al Smith dinner is a glittering affair at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel where New York's high society dined on poached lobster and rack of lamb and contributed $5 million for various children's charities.

Obama and Romney, facing a third and final debate Monday in Florida, sat close to each other at the dinner, separated only by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York who spoke at both the Republican and Democratic conventions in late August and early September.

The event is an annual speaking opportunity for presidents or president aspirants to test their comic skills with self-deprecating jokes usually written up by clever speechwriters.

Obama made light of his much-panned performance at his first debate with Romney on Oct. 3. He said at the second debate, where he was judged the winner, he had been well-rested because of the "nice long nap I had at the first debate."

BIDEN A TARGET OF BOTH

Romney also was self-deprecating, noting that the way he prepared for the debate was to "refrain from alcohol for 65 years." As a practicing Mormon, the former Massachusetts governor abstains from alcohol.

Obama, who frequently credits himself with ordering the mission that led to the death of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in 2011, noted that the last debate is about foreign policy.

"Spoiler alert: We got bin Laden!" he said.

Romney tweaked Obama on the high jobless rate, saying its recent small decline meant only one thing: "You're better off now than you were four weeks ago."

Obama said he and Romney have some things in common, like their unusual middle names. Romney's is Mitt. "I wish I could use my middle name," said Obama, whose middle name is Hussein.

If there was one thing they had in common, it was their ability to make fun of Vice President Joe Biden, Obama's gaffe-prone No. 2.

Obama said he sometimes hears that he is getting old and has lost a step and when he does, he says, "Settle down, Joe, I'm trying to run a Cabinet meeting."

Romney said when Biden speaks, it usually is to Romney's benefit, so much so that whenever his remarks are on TV it should be accompanied by a recorded message like those used in campaign ads: "I'm Mitt Romney, and I approve this message."

Obama got in a jab at the Republicans' use of Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood at Romney's convention. Eastwood was panned for talking to an empty chair on stage as if Obama was sitting in it.

"Please take your seats," Obama told the crowd, "or else Clint Eastwood will yell at them."

The tone of the evening was set with introductory remarks by Al Smith IV, who could not resist teasing Romney for saying at the debate that he sorted through "binders full of women" in trying to put together a diverse cabinet as governor of Massachusetts.

"I want to say a special welcome to all of the accomplished women here tonight. It's good to see you made it out of those binders," Smith said to laughter.

The dinner started in 1945 in tribute to a former Democratic New York governor Smith, who lost the 1928 presidential election to Republican Herbert Hoover in a landslide.

Among the 1,600 guests were representatives from two of New York's major industries - media and Wall Street money. Spotted in the crowd were ABC television talk show host Katie Couric and Fox News executive Roger Ailes, as well as Steve Schwartzman, chief executive of private equity firm Blackstone Group, and Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan.

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US-VOTE-2012-DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN
US President Barack Obama (L), Cardinal Timothy Dolan (C), Archbishop of New York, and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (R) attend the 67th annual Al Smith dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel October 18, 2012 in New York, New York. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
US-VOTE-2012-DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN
US President Barack Obama (L), Cardinal Timothy Dolan (2L), Archbishop of New York, Mitt Romney (2R) Ann Romney and others attend the 67th annual Al Smith dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel October 18, 2012 in New York, New York. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
US-VOTE-2012-DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN
US President Barack Obama (L), Cardinal Timothy Dolan (C), Archbishop of New York, and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (R) during the 67th annual Al Smith dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel October 18, 2012 in New York, New York. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
US-VOTE-2012-DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN
US President Barack Obama (L), Cardinal Timothy Dolan (2nd-L), Archbishop of New York, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (2nd-R) with wife Ann Romney (R) attend the 67th annual Al Smith dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel October 18, 2012 in New York, New York. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
US-VOTE-2012-DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN
Republican US presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks during the 67th annual Al Smith dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel October 18, 2012 in New York, New York. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
US-VOTE-2012-DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN
Republican US presidential candidate Mitt Romney (L) speaks during the 67th annual Al Smith dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel October 18, 2012 in New York, New York. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
US-VOTE-2012-DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN
US President Barack Obama (L), Cardinal Timothy Dolan (2L), Archbishop of New York, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (2R), Ann Romney (R) and others attend the 67th annual Al Smith dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel October 18, 2012 in New York, New York. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
US-VOTE-2012-DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN
Republican US presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks during the 67th annual Al Smith dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel October 18, 2012 in New York, New York. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
US-VOTE-2012-DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN
US President Barack Obama and others listen as Republican US Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney speaks during the 67th annual Al Smith dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel October 18, 2012 in New York, New York. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
US-VOTE2012
US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and US President Barack Obama attend the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Program at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York, October 18, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
US-VOTE2012
US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and US President Barack Obama attend the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Program at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York, October 18, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
US-VOTE2012
US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and US President Barack Obama attend the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Program at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York, October 18, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
US-VOTE2012
US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and US President Barack Obama attend the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Program at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York, October 18, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
US-VOTE-2012-DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN
Republican US Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney and US President Barack Obama shake hands during the 67th annual Al Smith dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel October 18, 2012 in New York, New York. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
US-VOTE-2012-DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN
Republican US presidential candidate Mitt Romney and others listen as US President Barack Obama speaks during the 67th annual Al Smith dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel October 18, 2012 in New York, New York. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
US-VOTE2012
US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and US President Barack Obama attend the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Program at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York, October 18, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
US-VOTE2012
US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and US President Barack Obama attend the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Program at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York, October 18, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
US-VOTE2012
US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and US President Barack Obama attend the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Program at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York, October 18, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
US-VOTE2012
US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and US President Barack Obama attend the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Program at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York, October 18, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
Barack Obama And Mitt Romney Address Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 18: U.S. President Barack Obama (L) and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (R) share a laugh at the 67th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on October 18, 2012 in New York City. The lighthearted white-tie charity gala has long been a tradition of the presidential race. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
US-VOTE2012
US President Barack Obama addresses a speech while attending with US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Program at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York, October 18, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
Barack Obama And Mitt Romney Address Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 18: (L - R) U.S. President Barack Obama, Roman Catholic Cardinal and Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan, and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney share a laugh at the 67th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on October 18, 2012 in New York City. The lighthearted white-tie charity gala has long been a tradition of the presidential race. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Barack Obama And Mitt Romney Address Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 18: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (L) speaks as U.S. President Barack Obama (R) and Alfred E. Smith IV (C) laugh at the 67th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on October 18, 2012 in New York City. The lighthearted white-tie charity gala has long been a tradition of the presidential race. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Barack Obama And Mitt Romney Address Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 18: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (R) shakes hands with U.S. President Barack Obama at the 67th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on October 18, 2012 in New York City. The lighthearted white-tie charity gala has long been a tradition of the presidential race. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
US-VOTE2012
People attend the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Program featuring appearances by US President Barack Obama and US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York, October 18, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
Barack Obama And Mitt Romney Address Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 18: U.S. President Barack Obama (R) and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (L) attend the 67th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on October 18, 2012 in New York City. The lighthearted white-tie charity gala has long been a tradition of the presidential race. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Barack Obama And Mitt Romney Address Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 18: U.S. President Barack Obama (L), Roman Catholic Cardinal and Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan (R) and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (C) attend the 67th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on October 18, 2012 in New York City. The lighthearted white-tie gala has long been a tradition of the presidential race. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Barack Obama And Mitt Romney Address Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 18: U.S. President Barack Obama (L) and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (C) shake hands at the 67th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on October 18, 2012 in New York City. The lighthearted white-tie charity gala has long been a tradition of the presidential race. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
US-VOTE-2012-DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN
Republican US presidential candidate Mitt Romney and US President Barack Obama shake hands during the 67th annual Al Smith dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel October 18, 2012 in New York, New York. AFP PHOTO / Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
US-VOTE2012
People attend the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Program featuring appearances by US President Barack Obama and US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York, October 18, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
Barack Obama And Mitt Romney Address Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 18: U.S. President Barack Obama (L), Roman Catholic Cardinal and Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan (C), Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (2nd R) and Ann Romney (R) attend the 67th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on October 18, 2012 in New York City. The lighthearted white-tie charity gala has long been a tradition of the presidential race. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
US-VOTE-2012-DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN
US President Barack Obama, Republican US presidential candidate Mitt Romney and others attend the 67th annual Al Smith dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel October 18, 2012 in New York, New York. AFP PHOTO / Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
Barack Obama And Mitt Romney Address Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 18: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (L) speaks as U.S. President Barack Obama (R) and Alfred E. Smith IV (C) laugh at the 67th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on October 18, 2012 in New York City. The lighthearted white-tie charity gala has long been a tradition of the presidential race. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Barack Obama And Mitt Romney Address Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 18: U.S. President Barack Obama (R) and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney share a laugh at the 67th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on October 18, 2012 in New York City. The lighthearted white-tie charity gala has long been a tradition of the presidential race. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Barack Obama And Mitt Romney Address Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 18: (L - R) U.S. President Barack Obama, Roman Catholic Cardinal and Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan, and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney attend the 67th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on October 18, 2012 in New York City. The lighthearted white-tie gala has long been a tradition of the presidential race. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Barack Obama And Mitt Romney Address Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 18: U.S. President Barack Obama (2nd L) and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (L) share a laugh as Ann Romney (R) looks on at the 67th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on October 18, 2012 in New York City. The lighthearted white-tie charity gala has long been a tradition of the presidential race. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
MItt Romney, Barack Obama
Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama greet each other as they attend the 67th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a charity gala organized by the Archdiocese of New York, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
MItt Romney, Barack Obama
Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama attend the 67th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a charity gala organized by the Archdiocese of New York, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
MItt Romney, Barack Obama, Timothy Dolan, Ann Romney
Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama attend the 67th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a charity gala organized by the Archdiocese of New York, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. Also pictured are Cardinal Timothy Dolan, second left, and Ann Romney, right. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
MItt Romney, Barack Obama, Timothy Dolan, Ann Romney
Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama attend the 67th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a charity gala organized by the Archdiocese of New York, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. Also pictured are Cardinal Timothy Dolan, second left, and Ann Romney, right. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
MItt Romney, Barack Obama, Timothy Dolan, Ann Romney
Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama, left, attend the 67th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a charity gala organized by the Archdiocese of New York, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. Also pictured are Cardinal Timothy Dolan, second left, and Ann Romney, second right. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, Ann Romney
President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, greet each other as they arrive at the Archdiocese of New York's 67th Annual Alfred. E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. At right is Ann Romney. The Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a white-tie gala has been a required stop for politicians since the end of World War II. In keeping with tradition, candidates prepare humorous fare for the fundraising event organized by the Catholic Archdiocese of New York for the benefit of needy children. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Barack Obama, Ann Romney
President Barack Obama is greeted by dinner attendees including Ann Romney, second from left, as he arrives at the Archdiocese of New York's 67th Annual Alfred. E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. The Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a white-tie gala has been a required stop for politicians since the end of World War II. In keeping with tradition, candidates prepare humorous fare for the fundraising event organized by the Catholic Archdiocese of New York for the benefit of needy children. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
MItt Romney, Barack Obama
Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama attend the 67th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a charity gala organized by the Archdiocese of New York, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, Ann Romney, Timothy Dolan
From left, President Barack Obama, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and his wife Ann Romney attend the Archdiocese of New York's 67th Annual Alfred. E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Barack Obama, Mitt Romney
President Barack Obama, left, and Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, right, stand during the prayer with Cardinal Timothy Dolan during the Archdiocese of New York's 67th Annual Alfred. E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Barack Obama, Mitt Romney
President Barack Obama arrives at The Archdiocese of New York's 67th Annual Alfred. E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. The Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a white-tie gala has been a required stop for politicians since the end of World War II. In keeping with tradition, candidates prepare humorous fare for the fundraising event organized by the Catholic Archdiocese of New York for the benefit of needy children. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
MItt Romney, Barack Obama, Timothy Dolan, Ann Romney
Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama attend the 67th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a charity gala organized by the Archdiocese of New York, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. Also pictured are Cardinal Timothy Dolan, second left, and Ann Romney, right. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
MItt Romney, Barack Obama, Timothy Dolan, Ann Romney
Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama bow their heads in prayer as they attend the 67th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a charity gala organized by the Archdiocese of New York, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. Also pictured are Cardinal Timothy Dolan, second left, and Ann Romney, second right. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
MItt Romney, Barack Obama, Timothy Dolan
Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama stand with Cardinal Timothy Dolan as they bow their heads in prayer as they attend the 67th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a charity gala organized by the Archdiocese of New York, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
MItt Romney, Barack Obama, Timothy Dolan, Ann Romney
President Barack Obama, left, talks with Cardinal Timothy Dolan, second left, as Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Ann Romney are seated at right as they attend the 67th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a charity gala organized by the Archdiocese of New York, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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Electoral Votes (270 to win)	332	206

Obama

Romney

Electoral Votes
(270 to win)

332

206

	Obama	Romney
Virginia 100% Rpt.	51.2%	47.3%
Florida 100% Rpt.	50.0%	49.1%
N. Carolina 100% Rpt.	48.4%	50.4%
Ohio 100% Rpt.	50.7%	47.7%
New Hampshire 100% Rpt.	52.0%	46.4%
Colorado 100% Rpt.	51.5%	46.1%
Wisconsin 100% Rpt.	52.8%	45.9%
Iowa 100% Rpt.	52.0%	46.2%
Nevada 100% Rpt.	52.4%	45.7%

Obama

Romney

Virginia 100% Rpt.

Florida 100% Rpt.

N. Carolina 100% Rpt.

Ohio 100% Rpt.

New Hampshire 100% Rpt.

Colorado 100% Rpt.

Wisconsin 100% Rpt.

Iowa 100% Rpt.

Nevada 100% Rpt.

	Obama	Romney
Total	65,899,660	60,932,152
Percent	51.1%	47.2%

Obama

Romney

Total

65,899,660

60,932,152

Percent

51.1%

47.2%

	Democrats*	Republicans
Current Senate	53	47
Seats gained or lost	+2	-2
New Total	55	45

Democrats*

Republicans

Current Senate

Seats gained or lost

-2

New Total

	Democrats	Republicans
Seats won	201	234

Democrats

Republicans

Seats won

201

234

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DianaDavis123

0 Fans

09:22 AM on 10/29/2012

LOL == Must See == Obama gets Humor Whipped: http://youtu.be/LXO-TYGB2-U

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butchcliff

The future is unwritten

260 Fans

06:27 AM on 10/22/2012

Guess it's a good thing that there wasn't a table full of whip cream pies near by

DrJackBrown

30 Fans

07:49 PM on 10/20/2012

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2157:
Al Smith Charity Dinner
Barack Obama's & Mitt Romney's Smiles
Sincere or False? ....

http://www.bodylanguagesuccess.com/2012/10/nonverbal-communication-analysis-2157.html

HUFFPOST SUPER USER

KaliKross

Don't blame me. I'm just the messenger.

206 Fans

04:09 AM on 10/22/2012

Thanks for linking us to your time-waste of a website. Of course, they're sincere. Who wouldn't be smiling when trillions were being shuttled back and forth between Washington and global bank accounts, AND one of those accounts had your name on it?

06:24 PM on 12/08/2012

Most can't tell a true smile from a false smile. Much more nuanced than you may think.

06:25 PM on 12/08/2012

No political agenda.

HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR

Waltfl

Μακάριοι οἱ εἰρηνοποιοί

4890 Fans

07:20 PM on 10/20/2012

The Second Deadly Sin is Gluttony, your Eminence. It has six elements:

Praepropere - eating too soon.
Laute - eating too expensively.
Nimis - eating too much.
Ardenter - eating too eagerly.
Studiose - eating too daintily.
Forente - eating wildly.

mph110

87 Fans

04:51 PM on 10/20/2012

For those of you who missed it, the best line was Romney's story about what happened when President Obama met Pope Benedict.

The holy father complained about the divisive politics of the vatican, and that papal finances were in ruin, and that there was scandal everywhere.

No problem, Your Holiness" the president quickly replied "Just blame it on Pope Pious."

Good line, but I'm still voting for the person who got us out of the war, and who has lead the counrty back on the path to recovery, President Obama.

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cincinnati

4366 Fans

03:21 AM on 10/22/2012

decent jokes by Romney....but this dinner is supposed to be about
making fun mostly of
Yourself !

Romney mostly....without class....attacked the Pres....
even Bush understood this better....

h23154

390 Fans

01:33 PM on 10/20/2012

They were both good, but on this Romney won by a landslide.

Anne Mccormick

1042 Fans

02:49 PM on 10/20/2012

sorry no! Obama won by a landslide.

Andrea Blackwell

Why watch the news? The truth's on Comedy Central!

1544 Fans

01:09 AM on 10/21/2012

they wanted Romney to convert, for his $$
But the call for compassion was ALL about President Obama.

elkinken

50 Fans

12:33 PM on 10/20/2012

Romney did better. Obama's jokes were ok, but he laughed at just about everyone of them before he told them.

Ohastogo

86 Fans

11:41 AM on 10/20/2012

You Dems are like the strand of lights on a tree for the Holidays.....
All hang Together.....
1/2 don't work....
the rest are not too B.r.i.g.h.t.

02:50 PM on 10/20/2012

are you actually saying that YOU are not too bright.

obumass

Obama - Destroying America one day at a time.

216 Fans

03:30 PM on 10/20/2012

No he is not. Read the comment again, veeeeery slooooowly...

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03:32 PM on 10/20/2012

Very funny and strikingly accurate. Good thing you did not mention.CHRISTMAS, the libs would have all been in a tither.

silenthillfire

43 Fans

11:34 AM on 10/20/2012

Everytime Obama opens his mouth its just to zing Romney lately. Is Obama ever going to explain his is last 4 years and give us his vision for the next 4? I'm an independent and I am not laughing. I don't find the last 4 years funny. Not the deficits, the unemployment, the higher food and energy prices, None of it.

FYI, I do get what type of event this was. Its just that we are 4 years in and he's clowning around the entire time.

03:33 PM on 10/20/2012

That is his job. He is a clown, and so is his partner in crime, Joke Biden.

pinkridgefarm

Independent chic

1837 Fans

04:26 PM on 10/20/2012

That's why he's cracking jokes...to deflect from his failed record....

Comicoffee

real analysis paired with a hefty dose of sarcasm

605 Fans

08:11 AM on 10/20/2012

I wasn't aware that entertainment skills were a necessary component of the job. If that's the case, why not just put them both on American Idol and award the Presidency to whichever candidate does a better cover of Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone"? Given where our country is, I'd bet that would result in a significant increase in voter turnout.

butchbuss00

261 Fans

07:19 AM on 10/20/2012

WE HAVE NO PRESIDENT NEGVER HAD FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS , WE HAD A BRAGGER , AND A BLAMER , AND A GOLFER , ACTUALLY HE WAS A CADDY FOR SOMEONE ELSE . HES THE GREATEST MISTAKE FAILURE EVER ,
NEED TO FLUSH THE WHITEHOUSE . TOILETS ARE FULL.

jeanlo3

10 Fans

03:45 PM on 10/20/2012

Fialure is when a President takes the unemployment rate from 4.2 to 10.2.

Failure is when a President get in office with a surplus but leaves with a deficts.

Failure is when a President starts a war on terrorism in the wrong county.

Failure is when a President bring a country to a depression. and on andon andon andon andon andon andon andon

twincelli

11 Fans

05:42 PM on 10/20/2012

Amen!

Gothmog

7 Fans

10:08 PM on 10/20/2012

Presidents cannot start wars.Plus, if Presidents CAN do all of this, why do we need Congress at all? Or the Supreme Court? Some people give the power of the Presidency WAY too much credit.

07:19 PM on 10/20/2012

You do have a caps lock. It's the 3rd key from the bottom on the left.

Mestranger Toall

i wish i could be the person my beagle thinks i am

12:32 AM on 10/21/2012

not on mine its not

Fingdower1

165 Fans

07:04 AM on 10/20/2012

Obama forgot to come. He sounded like he fell off the wagon, too much PAKALOLO.

rjean

192 Fans

07:47 AM on 10/20/2012

o was flat and vapid..............................mitt was tremendous...brought to you by the letter O and 16 trillion.......that was PRICELESS

WOOLSEL1

161 Fans

06:29 AM on 10/20/2012

THE O IS OUT CLASSED AND MUST MOVE ON

03:24 AM on 10/22/2012

Romney is a snob with no class....he's only for the super rich...

and he's a CHICKEN HAWK warmonger

truegritt

156 Fans

05:37 AM on 10/20/2012

Daniel entered the Lion's den of the ultra wealthy. He charmed them with his humor and left unscathed. Courage that eludes Romney

have no idea what youre talking about true....and i would guess you dont either

11:39 AM on 10/20/2012

Obama is no Daniel... and he barely got a laugh from his poor comedy.... As for leaving unscathed.... I'd say that constantly making fun of your frst debate performance was leaving unscathed.