Obama and Romney trade zingers at charity dinner

Both spoke at the annual Alfred E. Smith dinner

Published October 19, 2012 1:27PM (EDT)

Romney and Obama took a break from campaigning to trade some barbs at this year's Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner.

"Tonight's not about the disagreements Gov. Romney and I may have," Obama said. "It's what we have in common, beginning with our unusual names. Actually Mitt is his middle name. I wish I could use my middle name."

Romney joked about Big Bird: "In the spirit of Sesame Street, the President's remarks tonight are brought to you by the letter O and the number $16 trillion."

Here's video from the event:


By Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.

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2012 Elections 2012 Presidential Debates Alfred E. Smith Barack Obama Mitt Romney