WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama made jokes about Washington's elite at the capital's 93-year-old social organization, the Alfalfa Club.
Politico reported Sunday that at Saturday's event the nations' first black president took aim at the club's own roots.
"I know that many you are aware that this dinner began almost 100 years ago as a way to celebrate the birthday of General Robert E. Lee," Obama said.
"If he were here with us tonight, the general would be 202 years old. And very confused," Obama said of the confederate leader.
Obama also ribbed his chief of staff, former Rep. Rahm Emmanuel of Illinois, who has a reputation for swearing.
"Now, this hasn't been reported yet, but it was actually Rahm's idea to do the swearing-in ceremony again," he said. "Of course, for Rahm, every day is a swearing-in ceremony."
The event was attended by the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain, and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
