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Charles Koch

Obama riffs on USA TODAY's Koch story

David Jackson
USA TODAY
President Obama at Saturday's dinner.

It's good to see that President Obama is reading his USA TODAY.

During his routine at Saturday's White House correspondents dinner, the president riffed repeatedly on Fredreka Schouten's exclusive interview last week with billionaire industrialist Charles Koch, who named the five Republican candidates that he and brother David might support in next year's election.

"Soon, the first presidential contest will take place -- and I for one cannot wait to see who the Koch brothers pick," Obama cracked. "It's exciting! Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush, Scott Walker ... who will finally get that red rose?"

The USA TODAY story enabled Obama to mock the Koch brothers, Republican critics -- and reality television.

"The winner gets a billion-dollar war chest," Obama said. "Therunner upgets to be the bachelor on the next season of 'The Bachelor.'"

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

Obama also joked that Koch's billion dollar presidential contest seems excessive.

"I mean, it's almost insulting to the candidates," Obama said. "The Koch brothers think they need to spend a billion dollars to get folks to like one of these people ... It's got to hurt their feelings a little bit."

Obama: "Look, I know I've raised a lot of money too. But in all fairness: My middle name is 'Hussein' ... What's their excuse?"

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