Comic Jimmy Kimmel hit the podium running with laugh lines that mostly found their mark during the White House Correspondents Dinner last night. Warning the president that he was about to be gently skewered, Kimmel looked at him and said, “Cover your ears, if that’s physically possible.”

I was surprised that Kimmel read many of his lines, instead of performing sans script, but he was still a smooth presenter. These were some of my favorite among his jokes, and the audience seemed to agree:  

“There’s a term for guys like President Obama.  Probably not two terms.”

“Nancy Pelosi views lipstick like she views government: too much is never enough.”

“I’d like everyone to look under their seats. You’ll find a copy of Keith Olbermann’s résumé.”

 “Mr. President, remember when the country rallied around you in hopes of a better tomorrow? That was hilarious.”

The president, not exactly known for adept self-deprecation, did a good job with his own laugh lines, which clearly acknowledged his current vulnerabilities. Using humor to deflect problems when you’re in the soup if often a good idea, and Obama used humor to good effect:

“I mean, look at this party. We’ve got men in tuxes, women in gowns, and fine wine. I was just relieved to learn this was not a GSA conference.”

“Now, some have said I blame too many problems on my predecessor … that’s a practice that was initiated by George W. Bush.”

“What’s the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? A pit bull is delicious.”

“I had a lot more material prepared, but I have to get the Secret Service home in time for their new curfew.”

Almost all bets are that the campaign will be a nasty one, so it was refreshing if, even for one evening, politics could take a breather with some refreshing humor.