House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) used President Obama's comments about the private sector "doing fine" as comedic fodder Friday night during his address at the Radio and Television Congressional Correspondents' Dinner.
"Good evening everyone," Boehner said by way of introduction. "I hope all of you are fine. I'm fine — just like the private sector."
Boehner then proceeded to chronicle the history of increased access to Congress for television and radio correspondents, noting each Speaker of the House had approached press access differently. But none, Boehner said, was more welcoming than former Speaker Newt Gingrich.
"Newt's in a league all by himself when it comes to the media — in fact, he's in a league all by himself when it comes to many things," Boehner said.
But the Republican lawmaker said increased access had come at a price, and that even he occasionally forgot when the cameras were on.
“I learned this the hard way last September,” Boehner said, recalling an incident before a presidential address when he and Vice President Biden were caught on a hot mic.
"We were talking about golf — thank God we were talking about golf!" Boehner said.
Boehner also razzed some of the congressional press corps, including MSNBC's Luke Russert, who he chided repeatedly for being "rude."
"Behave yourself, junior," Boehner warned with a smile.
President Obama was not in attendance, although he was represented in spirit by a video from Comedy Central television stars Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key. The duo reprised a reoccurring bit from their show where Peele plays the president and Key serves as his "anger translator," recasting Obama's diplomatic language in more colorful terms.
During an appearance in April on NBC's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, the president said the duo's impersonation made him laugh.
"I can't actually repeat what he's saying, but it's pretty good stuff," Obama said.
The dinner was hosted by comedian Wayne Brady, who signed on after the original performer, Louis C.K., dropped out. The comedian had drawn flack from Fox News host Greta Van Susteren over tweets he sent criticizing former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.
