The White House on Sunday released tidbits from President Obama's remarks at the 99th Annual Alfalfa Club Dinner, held Saturday night at the Capital Hilton by the exclusive members-only social club for the nation's elite. Over a dinner of Lobster and Filet Mignon, the President joked about his reputation, crooner Al Green, and his "We Can't Wait" campaign. He ribbed club members Warren Buffett, House Speaker John Boehner, seated at the head table, and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. "One of my big goals this year was to get out and be among everyday, ordinary Americans -- like the men and women of the Alfalfa Club," President Obama quipped to his audience of billionaires and powerbrokers.
The black-tie event was closed to press. First Lady Michelle Obama accompanied her husband as a noisy protest from Occupy DC went on for hours outside the hotel, which included a human blockade to prevent guests from entering the party, and throwing glitter bombs at fancily dressed VIPs.
"It is great to be here tonight, because I have about 45 more minutes on the State of the Union that I’d like to deliver tonight," President Obama opened.
"You've heard it from the pundits: "Obama is cloistered in the White House." "He's aloof." "He's in the bubble." "He's not connecting,"" the President said. "And that’s why one of my big goals this year was to get out and be among everyday, ordinary Americans -- like the men and women of the Alfalfa Club."
The hundreds of Occupy DC protesters were making this same point outside of the hotel, shouting "shame! shame! shame!" as they noted that the dinner is for the 1% of powerbrokers they decry as having ruined the US economic system. Protesters threw glitter bombs at arriving guests, and created a human blockade to try to prohibit entrance.
"At least my harshest critics can agree I have a promising future -- as a Al Green impersonator," President Obama said.
The President sang a few bars of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" at a campaign fundraiser in New York two weeks ago, causing an almost 500% rise in the sales of Green's single.
The Alfalfa Club annually nominates a member to serves as President, and this year it was Jeb Bush, who visited the President on Friday at the White House, joined by his father, former President George H. W. Bush, also a member guest at the dinner.
"It is great to see Jeb Bush, who is accepting a nomination for President tonight," President Obama said. "I have to say, though, it's not fair to tease your friends like that."
President Obama has engaged in a series of Executive actions to continue his agenda without Congress, and Boehner heard about it.
"And Speaker Boehner, it is good to see you at the head table. I know how badly Eric Cantor wanted your seat. But, John, I want you to know: I am eager to work with members of Congress to be entertaining tonight. But if Congress is unwilling to cooperate, I will be funny without them."
Warren Buffett's secretary, Debbie Bosanek, has become the face of President Obama's campaign to reform tax law, after he proposed "The Buffett Rule" last September, following an op-ed from Buffett in which the billionaire opined that he paid a lower tax rate than his underling.
"I’d like to acknowledge a very good friend of mine -- Warren Buffet’s secretary’s boss is in the house," President Obama said.
Bosanek was seated in the First Lady's Box during the State of the Union Address.
The President had a few serious moments in his speech.
“Let us never forget the extraordinary privilege that we share as Americans, and the responsibility that we all have, as leaders, to the continued success of this country that’s made so many of our stories possible,” he said.
Guests spotted on the red carpet entering the dinner included tech entrepreneur Steve Case; Sen. John Kerry (D-MA); Sen. Pat Leahy (D-VT); and Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr.. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) was among those who got glitter-bombed by Occupy DC as he crossed the street to get to the red carpet with companions. (Above: A photo of the Alfalfa Dinner entree, tweeted by Chef José Andrés, a guest at the dinner)
There are about 200 current Alfalfa Club members, who include Colin Powell, Madeleine Albright, Tom Daschle, Newt Gingrich, Alan Greenspan, Vernon Jordan Jr., and Steve Forbes. The Alfalfa Club was founded in 1913, with its primary function being to celebrate the birthday of Confederate Civil War General Robert E. Lee (born Jan. 19, 1807). The annual dinner is its only event, and is held on the last Saturday in January each year. The club didn't admit African Americans as members until 1974, and women had to wait until 1994.
President Obama last attended the Alfalfa Club dinner in 2009.
"This dinner began almost one hundred years ago as a way to celebrate the birthday of General Robert E. Lee," President Obama said in 2009. "If he were here with us tonight, the General would be 202 years old. And very confused."
The name of the club comes from the alfalfa plant's reputation of doing anything for a drink.
*Entree photo by José Andrés; top photo by AP
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