The annual Gridiron Club dinner, held in Washington last night, is a throwback to the Washington of an earlier era.
The roughly 600 attendees gather dressed in white tie–think, dinner at Downton Abbey–to watch journalists perform and sing satiric skits, and then hear politicians roast in response. It’s one of the last organizations left that operates on seniority, and it sometimes shows.
Nevertheless, it also provides clever lines and comic relief to the usual vitriol of Washington. Last night’s dinner was presided over by Doyle McManus of the Los Angeles Times, and the speakers included three people who have been mentioned as vice presidential material: South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, and twin brothers Julian (secretary of Housing and Urban Development) and Joaquin (Texas congressman) Castro. The night closed with Vice President Joe Biden.
Here are the six best lines of the night:
“Knowing Donald Trump, it won’t be long before he dumps the United States for a much younger country.” – McManus
“When I endorsed Marco, everyone assumed we had cut a deal… We did. He promised I could borrow his boots.” — Haley
“Why do people take such an immediate dislike to Ted Cruz?” – Joaquin Castro
“Probably because it saves them time.” – Julian Castro
“Whoever takes over this job, you are going to understand the peaceful transition of powerlessness.” — Biden
“Folks, if all else fails…I’m here.” — Biden
