WASHINGTON, Feb 1: US President Barack Obama joked around at an exclusive gathering of America’s political movers and shakers, while Sarah Palin, who lost as running mate of John McCain, relished the chance to have dinner with him.

The light-hearted evening of dinner and political jibes late Saturday, a nearly century-old tradition of the prestigious Alfalfa Club, requires that participants try their hand at comedy – which they carry off with greater or lesser success.

Mr Obama, the first African-American US president, alluded to the fact that the event’s freighted history – being founded by a white Southerner in the immediate post-Civil War era – made his starring turn rather unlikely.

“Many of you are aware that this dinner began almost one hundred years ago as a way to celebrate the birthday of (Southern US Civil War) General Robert E. Lee,” Mr Obama said.

“If he were here with us tonight, the general would be 202 years old – and very confused,” the US leader quipped.

US media reported last week that Ms Palin said she planned to attend the black-tie event to promote her state’s interests, and “because President Obama is scheduled to be there.”

“How often will I have an opportunity to have dinner with the president?” the Alaska governor is reported to have said.

Mr Obama also poked good-natured fun at the famous foul mouth of his chief of staff, former Congressman Rahm Emanuel.

“This hasn’t been reported yet, but it was actually Rahm’s idea to do the swearing-in ceremony again,” Mr Obama joked, referring to the do-over of his flubbed inauguration oath.

“Of course, for Rahm, every day is a swearing-in ceremony,” Mr Obama kidded.

The president also found humour in his hard-fought negotiations with US security officials to keep his cherished Blackberry mobile communications device.

“In just the first few weeks, I’ve had to engage in some of the toughest diplomacy of my life. And that was just to keep my Blackberry,” he joked.

“I finally agreed to limit the number of people who could email me. It’s a very exclusive list.

“How exclusive?” he continued. “Everyone look at the person sitting on your left. Now look at the person sitting on your right. None of you have my email address.”

Ms Palin arrived wearing an elegant black satin evening gown and a matching wrap.

Among the men seen entering the affair were former US defence chief Donald Rumsfeld and former secretary of state Henry Kissinger.—AFP