Obama takes jab at Notre Dame football team

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President Barack Obama arrives to deliver the commencement speech during the 2009 graduation ceremony at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Sunday, May 17, 2009. Left is Notre Dame President the Rev. John Jenkins. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: May 19, 2009 at 11:17 AM EST

Story Updated: May 19, 2009 at 11:17 AM EST

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — After surviving controversy and hecklers at the University of Notre Dame, President Barack Obama got in a shot of his own at the school whose renowned football team has gone its longest stretch without a national championship.

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RAW VIDEO: Jenkins, Pres. Obama speeches at Notre Dame

After giving the commencement speech at Notre Dame, Obama spoke at an Indianapolis fundraiser Sunday evening for the Democratic National Committee. He began his remarks by joking that he told university President Rev. John Jenkins that the controversy surrounding his appearance on campus "paled in comparison to what to do about the football team."

The football team has posted records of 3-9 and 7-6 the past two seasons, the most losses in a two-year period ever for the Fighting Irish, who haven't won a national championship since 1988.

"That's an issue we may not resolve within my four years," Obama joked.

"Eight," shouted someone from the audience.

"All right, well, maybe in eight we might get it done," Obama said.

Obama's appearance at Notre Dame capped weeks of protests by some Roman Catholics upset that he was invited to speak at commencement despite his support of abortion rights and embryonic stem-cell research.

The remarks were first reported Tuesday by The Journal Gazette of Fort Wayne.

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