video transcript

U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney attended a charity dinner in New York Thursday night. Each took turns poking fun at themselves.. and each other. (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE MITT ROMNEY SAYING: "Now Al you are right a campaign can require alot of wardrobe changes. Blue jeans in the morning perhaps, suits for a lunch fundraiser, sport coats for dinner but it's nice to finally relax and wear what Anne and I wear around the house." (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE MITT ROMNEY SAYING: "People seem to be very curious as to how we prepare for the debates. Let me tell you what I do. First, refrain from alcohol for 65 years before the debate. Secondly, find the biggest available straw man and then mercilessly attack it -- Big Bird didn't even see it coming. (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE MITT ROMNEY SAYING: "Campaigns can be grueling, exhausting. President Obama and I are each very lucky to have one person in our corner -- someone who we can lean on and someone who is a comforting presence without whom we wouldn't be able to go another day. I have my beautiful wife Ann. He has Bill Clinton." (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING: "This is the third time Governor Romney and I have met recently. As some of you may have noticed I had alot more energy in our second debate. I felt really rested after the nice long nap I had in the first debate." (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING: "Of course, the economy is on everyone's minds. The unemployment level is at it's lowest since I've taken office. I don't have a joke here, just thought itd be useful to remind everyone ... the unemployment rate is the lowest it's ever been." (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING: "Ultimately tonight is not about the disagreements Governor Romney and I may have. 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." The annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner is a who's who for New York's high society and gives sitting presidents or presidential hopefuls a chance to test their comedic skills.