Obama, Biden, Fox News and a (naked??) Rahm Emanuel

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Among the thousand or so guests at the annual Radio & Television Correspondents’ Assn. dinner in Washington, D.C., one topic resounded: Would the House pass the Obama administration’s healthcare plan?

The president himself made a nod to the question in a taped address kicking off the event Wednesday night.

‘Just this morning, Rahm [Emanuel] and I were talking about the importance of passing healthcare,’ Obama said of his chief of staff. ‘I said to him, ‘Rahm, at least put on a towel.’ ‘

The president, of course, was referring to the claim by former New York Rep. Eric Massa that a naked Emanuel confronted him in the shower of a congressional gym about not supporting Obama’s budget.

But no explanation was needed for those in Washington’s cavernous convention hall, a collection of journalists and politicians deeply versed on the latest Beltway buzz. They greeted Obama’s quip with a hearty laugh.

The president was originally expected to address the dinner, one of two big black-tie affairs held by journalism organizations in Washington every spring. But he bowed out to host the White House St. Patrick’s Day party and, in his stead, sent Vice President Joe Biden — just returned from an eventful trip to Israel, where his hosts announced a controversial construction project in Jerusalem.

‘It’s great to be back in a place where a boom in housing construction is actually a good thing,’ Biden said, kicking off a joke-filled speech that was, for the most part, well received.

Still, his next attempt — that Liz Cheney is ‘questioning whether Tom Brady is a real Patriot’ — elicited groans.

‘Worth a try, guys,’ Biden said gamely.

For those unversed in pro football, Brady is quarterback of the New England Patriots.

Biden, noting the holiday and his own Irish roots, said St. Patrick actually made up the story that he drove the snakes out of Ireland.

‘That’s why he’s the patron saint of Fox News,’ Biden said, drawing some good-natured groans from the Fox News tables.

‘Dick Morris is quick to point out every time I put my foot in my mouth,’ he continued. ‘Well, Dick, at least it’s my foot.’

The reference to Fox News’ Morris and 1990s-era toe-sucking allegations triggered a wave of slightly scandalized ‘oohs’ from the audience.

Biden was followed on stage by comedian Joe Wong, who told the vice president that he had recently read his autobiography.

‘And today I see you,’ Wong said. ‘I think that the book is much better.’

--Matea Gold