The Hardest-Working Paper in America | 
Friday, April 26, 2024
Politics Washington

Obama: Lincoln loved a good bawdy joke

By  Sun-Times staff
   
SHARE Obama: Lincoln loved a good bawdy joke

President Barack Obama says Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly, who co-wrote an Abraham Lincoln book, has it all wrong when understanding the lighter side of the 16th president.

While on ESPN Radio on Thursday, Obama bit back at O’Reilly, who has been critical of Obama’s “Between Two Ferns” bit by saying that a great president like Lincoln never would have done such a thing.

First of all, if you read back on Lincoln, he loved telling the occasional bawdy joke and being out among regular folks, Obama said.

Obama was responding to a question on why he does so many unorthodox appearances as president.

Next Up In Politics
Bears stadium costs? Add another $1.2 billion
Cook County Democratic leaders pick Monica Gordon to run for Cook County Clerk
Why did Harry Caray always say ‘Holy Cow?’ It could be linked to a 1930s flying bovine. No bull!
After fighting to have gender-affirming care, a former prisoner adjusts to life in Chicago as a woman
Ex-National Enquirer boss testifies that he buried story about alleged affair by Rahm Emanuel
Illinois Republicans grapple with mail voting amid mixed signals from Trump — 'We have to adapt'
The Latest
95_Brooklyn Museum_Cents Sign Travelling from Broadway to Africa via Guadeloupe.jpeg
Art
Chryssa exhibit a vivid reminder of all-but-forgotten Greek artist and her impact on 20th century American art
“Chryssa & New York” is the first museum show in North America in more than four decades to spotlight the artist. It also highlights her strong ties to Chicago’s art world.
By Kyle MacMillan - For the Sun-Times
 
BEARSSTADIUM-042424-11.jpg
Columnists
More stadium drama is on the horizon
If these plans for new stadiums from the Bears, White Sox and Red Stars are going to have even a remote chance of passage, teams will have to drastically scale back their state asks and show some tangible benefits for state taxpayers.
By Rich Miller
 
Renderings of the proposed new Bears stadium
Bears Stadium
Bears stadium costs? Add another $1.2 billion
The Bears put the figure at $4.7 billion. But a state official says the tally to taxpayers goes even higher when you include the cost of refinancing existing debt.
By Fran Spielman and Mitchell Armentrout
 
Cook County Democrats selected Monica Gordon on Friday to appear on the November ballot as the party's nominee for Cook County Clerk in a special election.
Politics
Cook County Democratic leaders pick Monica Gordon to run for Cook County Clerk
Gordon will run in the November general election to fill the rest of the late Karen Yarbrough’s term as Cook County Clerk.
By Kristen Schorsch | WBEZ Chicago
 
Chicago Cubs' broadcaster Harry Caray sings "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch at Chicago's Wrigley Field in 1989.
Columnists
Why did Harry Caray always say ‘Holy Cow?’ It could be linked to a 1930s flying bovine. No bull!
In 1930, a 15-year-old Harry Caray was living in St. Louis when the city hosted an aircraft exhibition honoring aviator Charles Lindbergh. “The ‘first ever’ cow to fly in an airplane was introduced at the exhibition,” said Grant DePorter, Harry Caray restaurants manager. “She became the most famous cow in the world at the time and is still listed among the most famous bovines along with Mrs. O’Leary’s cow and ‘Elsie the cow.’”
By Michael Sneed