(19 Mar 1999) English/Nat
At the annual dinner of the Radio and Television Correspondents Association, U-S President Bill Clinton delivered a humorous speech poking fun at himself, with unreserved references to the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
Those who had dug the dirt and reported on the scandal that threatened Clinton's presidency clearly enjoyed the speech.
On Thursday night President Clinton took full opportunity of the chance to roast the
reporters who cover his every move.
He was at the first of three annual news industry banquets.
The president was guest of honour at the dinner of the Radio-Television Correspondents Association.
The topic for his speech was -- "humour, the press and the presidency."
Although the press were warned by Clinton's press secretary Joe Lockhart not to expect anything too funny, they still laughed in all the right places.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I know you can't really laugh about this, I mean the events of the last year have been quite serious. If the Senate vote had gone the other way I wouldn't be here now. I demand a recount. I, er, look this is just the beginning of my week with the press. Tomorrow I've got a press conference and then the Gridiron dinner the day after that. You would think I was selling a book. "
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, US President
This was thought to be a veiled reference to Monica Lewinsky's world tour promoting her tell-all book.
Friday's news conference will be Clinton's first solo news conference on U-S soil since last April and since his impeachment acquittal last month.
But for once Clinton was in a room full of press people without having to field awkward questions from them.
He made a joke out of it.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Now, I know that the press corps has been preparing questions for me, so I've been working on the answers. Never mind the questions, here are the answers. 'Yes, Helen.' 'She was first, Sam, I'll get to you, Sam, not yet though.' 'The longest peacetime expansion in history.' 'No, I didn't watch it.' 'No, I haven't read it.' 'Yes, Wolf, I am doing this press conference because Joe made me do it.' "
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, US President
Later this spring, Clinton will attend the annual Gridiron dinner, and the banquet of the White House Correspondents Association.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
