Page 252 - C Span News Today

C-span to talk about a new military facility but people calling into the show seem pretty convinced that the truth was out there. >> it looked like we were getting to fight against our own people here. >> herbie thats not really true. what were doing is training u.s. soldiers to be able to operate in any contingency around the world. >> what do we have to guarantee us that these training isnt being used to confiscate our guns in case of another economic meltdown? >> this is a very scary and new ...

The argument? i listened to the whole thing to c-span. two hours and 20 minutes whatever it was, fascinating questions and answers and -- just the level of the lawyering also. >> its incredible. you know, the constitutions been around for a long time. the idea that we dont know the answer to this -- hundred of years into the countrys history, it is remarkableable. a historic day yesterday. we will get a major ruling that will stand probably for centuries. >> and justice kennedy in your view is -...

Here, so thanks a lot, barney. we could have had that world famous indiana pizza. i can make that joke about indiana because im from illinois. the white house correspondents dinner is a chance for all of you to unwind relax, and laugh as soon as you notice someone slightly more powerful than you is laughing. feels so weird to be up here. okay i promise, since im only a comedian im not going to try to tell you politicians how to do politics or whatever. thats not my job. that would be like you gu...

C-span hello but to most watching on c-span meow. [ laughter ] now, if you dont know how to find c-span you just press the guide buttonen on your remote and hit page up until your thumb cramps up and i just want to do a camera check real quick. camera one. and thats it. thats all the cameras. so -- it is great to be here at the washington hilton. its something a prostitute might say to a congressman. the washington hilton, you guys, man, if these walls could talk theyd probably say clean me. you...

Viewers watching at home on c-span hello. but to most viewers watching at home on c-span, meow. now, if you dont know how to find c-span you just press the guide button on your remote and hit page up until your thumb cramps up. i just want to do a camera check real quick. okay, camera one. and thats it. thats all the cameras. it is great to be here at the washington hilton. its something a prostitute might say to a congressman. the washington hilton you guys. man, if these walls could talk they ...

Famous indiana pizza. i can make that joke about indiana because im from illinois. the white house correspondents is a chance for all of you to unwind, relax and laugh as soon as you notice someone slightly more powerful than you is laughing. [ laughter ] so weird to be up here and, okay, i promise since im only a comedian im not going to try to tell you politicians how to do politics or whatever. thats not my job. that would be like you guys telling me what to do with my body. i mean, can you e...

C-span hello but to most watching on c-span meow. [ laughter ] now, if you dont know how to find c-span you just press the guide buttonen on your remote and hit page up until your thumb cramps up and i just want to do a camera check real quick. camera one. and thats it. thats all the cameras. so -- it is great to be here at the washington hilton. its something a prostitute might say to a congressman. the washington hilton, you guys, man, if these walls could talk theyd probably say clean me. you...

And joining us now is michael beshash, the white house historian, someone whos attended the correspondents dinner several times. thanks for joining us. it is that time when the president has to play stand up comedian. who was really good at this among the presidents? >> well, they began with a pretty low bar. as you mentioned the first to do this was calvin coolidge and probably the person who changed it was ronald reagan in the 1980s. it was a private dinner more or less and this was not on c-s...

Predecessors? >> in sort of the laugh-o-meter? >> yeah. >> i think the one thing that he has in common is most of these people dont like to come to these dinners. it is not just radio but tv correspondents. they make a speech and are expected to be very funny. naturally, most of them are not comedians. not only on c-span but msnbc tomorrow night and all over the place, they feel they have to perform almost to the level of the hired comedians who are there. that takes a lot of time. and barack ob...

Speeches at dinners and so he was very much in his element. and so it greats expectations after that. >> how does obama, say this is his seventh one. how does he stack up against the predecessors. >> the laugh-o-meter. >> i think the one thing that he has in common is most dont like to come to these dinners. the large dinner when they have to make a speech and they are expected to be very funny because most of them are not naturally comedians and in recent years because these things are so publi...