Panetta, Perry crack jokes with media at Gridiron
Mar 25, 2012, 3:27 AM
WASHINGTON (AP) – Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is making light of his advantage being an Italian-American Pentagon chief. He made the comment Saturday night while serving as the stand-in for President Barack Obama at the 127th Gridiron Dinner.
Panetta said that unlike predecessors Robert Gates and Donald Rumsfeld, he could sit at the negotiating table and say: “I’m going to make you an offer you can’t refuse” _ a reference to the famous line from “The Godfather.”
The event brought together members of the news media, administration officials and politicians for a night of songs and skits.
Speaking for the Republicans was Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who poked fun at his gaffes during an unsuccessful run for the GOP presidential nomination.
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