NEW YORK (October 19, 2012)--President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney pulled their punches and focused on punch lines instead at an annual Catholic fundraiser for needy children in New York.

Both candidates spoke at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, an annual white-tie gala that draws major political leaders and is a required stop for presidential candidates.

Romney mocked his own wealth, saying it gave him and his wife the chance to dress as they do around the house.

He also predicted there would be media bias in coverage of his appearance and would be reflected in Friday headlines that would read, "Romney dines with rich people."

Mr. Obama followed, noting that he gone shopping at some stores in Midtown.

He quipped that Gov. Romney" went shopping for some stores in Midtown."

Mr. Obama joked that he done much better in the second presidential debate because he got a good nap in the first debate.

The mild-mannered exchanges followed a day of sharp barbs by the candidates' surrogates.

Romney's son Tagg said in an interview that he was tempted to "take a swing" at Mr. Obama when the Democrat questions the GOP candidate's honesty.

On the celebrity front, Mr. Obama picked up the endorsement of rock star Bruce Springsteen, who also backed the Democrat in 2008 and on Thursday, campaigned for him in Ohio with former President Bill Clinton.