US presidential candidates call ‘cease-fire’ for one day

WASHINGTON

Cardinal Timothy Dolan (2nd L) sits with President Obama (L), Republican challenger Romney (R) and his wife Ann. REUTERS photo

U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney poked fun at themselves and each other for a charitable cause Oct. 18 night, two days after attacking each other in their second debate.

The pause for jokes in the tight race for the Nov. 6 election took place at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, organized by the Catholic Archdiocese of New York for needy children. Romney appeared at ease on stage, playfully jabbed at the president, saying both candidates had crucial people on whom they relied. As Romney put it, “I have my beautiful wife, Ann, he’s got Bill Clinton.”

Romney said Obama’s presidency was in its final months. Romney also took a shot at the media, which many Republicans think is biased toward Obama. The president also started out in self deprecating tone, noting he had shown more energy in their second debate on Oct. 16, than in his first effort two weeks ago.

“I was really well rested after the nice long nap I had in the first debate!” Obama joked, before going on to poke fun at multi-millionaire Romney’s bulging wallet after a career as a venture capitalist. The president also ribbed Romney for his gaffe-strewn foreign tour earlier this year, and noted that he was mocked as a celebrity in 2008 because he was popular abroad.

“I am impressed with how well Governor Romney has avoided that problem.” Before the jokes, Obama denied that his administration had reacted with “confusion” to the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya at a TV show. He said he had passed on information to people about the attack as soon as he had it.