White House Correspondents Insider

Behind the scenes of one of the most powerful clubs in America.

Washington Media Women Toast Tina Brown

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Time Warner’s Carol Melton and Gail MacKinnon from the Motion Picture Association lead a toast to Superstar editor and author Tina Brown at The Jefferson Hotel in Washington DC. Photo courtesy Haddad Media

Journalist, entrepreneur and author Tina Brown delighted the crowd gathered at the Jefferson Hotel in Washington Tuesday evening, dishing about her experiences as a magazine editor-in-chief, highlighted in her newest book, The Vanity Fair Diaries.

Connie Milstein, Carol Melton, Andrea Mitchell, Hilary Rosen, Gail MacKinnon, Rachel Pearson and Kathy O’Hearn hosted the book party. The biggest applause of the evening came during the Q&A session led by Tammy Haddad, where she was asked her working around men accused of sexually harassing women, including Harvey Weinstein.

“The answer to creepy men is to kind of be the boss, right?… [T]he more women in power, the more women who are leading, the more women on that team, the less of these creepy, stalking harassers you’re going to encounter… I’ve been hassled in other ways, in terms of feeling like so many women feel: cut out of the action that I wanted to be in or underestimated or demeaned or whatever. I’ve had a lot of that in my career,” Brown responded.

Guests included Chris and Lorraine Wallace, former House member Jane Harman, Mac McLarty, Kevin Baron, Megan Smith, Craig Gordon, John Coale, Martha Slagle, Peter Baca, Lloyd Hand, John Phillips, Linda Douglass, Robin Sproul, and Jordanian Ambassador Dina Kawar.

“You’ll all be in my next ‘Diaries,’” she toasted party attendees near the end of the evening. “So watch out!”

You can read more about Tina’s book and the event in the Washington Post’s write-up of the celebration here.

Brown’s newest book, The Vanity Fair Diaries, was named one of the best books of 2017 by Time, Amazon and The Guardian.  It is available in print, Kindle or audiobook on Amazon.

Washington Cheers on Greta Van Susteren, Newly-Minted App Creator and Author

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Greta Van Susteren Book Party, Guests tape a group “I am Sorry” video for her SorryAPP. The Jefferson Hotel, Washington, DC

DC celebs gathered at the Jefferson Hotel in Washington, DC on Monday, November 27th to celebrate the new career path of longtime cable news staple Greta Van Susteren. Van Susteren has stayed busy since leaving MSNBC earlier this year, launching an app called “Sorry”, which is designed to give users a platform for apologies, as well as releasing her latest book, Everything You Need to Know About Social Media Without Having to Ask a Kid.

Connie Milstein, Anita McBride, and Tammy Haddad hosted the standing-room-only celebration in the Gallatin Room. Haddad, in conversation with Van Susteren, asked about the impetus for creating an apology app. “When you’re unemployed, you look for something to do. So I created an app.” The crowd roared.

Senators Amy Klobuchar and John Barrasso were seen paying respects to Roberta McCain, John McCain’s mother and brother, Joe McCain.

Greta Van Susteren Book Party Mrs. Roberta McCain, Greta Van Susteren, Joe McCain and Anita McBride, The Jefferson Hotel

Almost as popular was native Navajo Nation president Russell Begaye, fresh from his wild White House event paying tribute to the Navajo Code Readers with President Trump calling Senator Warren “Pocahontas.” White House aide Kellyanne Conway and former WH press secretary Sean Spicer mixed with Greta’s media colleagues including Wolf Blitzer, Gloria Borger, Roger Cossack, Hilary Rosen, Sam Feist, Jennifer Griffin, and Jon Decker.

Others who came to pay respects to the media legend and Van Susteren’s husband John Coale were literary agent Bob Barnett, Carol Melton, Betsy Fischer Martin, Rebecca Spicer, Ryan Williams, Ben and JoAnne Ginsberg, Heather Podesta, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and FreshFM’s Tommy McFly.

Democracy Fund’s Jessica Harris and Lauren Strayer were pleased by the enthusiasm of the media players in the room for their #GivingNewsDay awareness campaign and #Newsmatch 110 non-profit news organizations.

You can read more about Greta’s book in the Washington Post’s write up of the celebration:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/reliable-source/wp/2017/11/28/vip-pals-turn-out-to-celebrate-greta-van-susterens-new-book-and-her-app/

More coverage via The Hill:
http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/362119-greta-van-susteren-book-release-celebrated-with-bipartisan-bash

CAROL MELTON, POWER WOMAN

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Carol Melton and Dana Bash. Photo courtesy Dana Bash.

A DC Cheer to Carol Melton, Time Warner’s Executive Vice President for Global Public Policy, for being named to Moves Magazine annual Power Women list.

Honored at a year-end celebration gala held in Manhattan on November 10th, Melton is one of 25 women chosen this year who represent Moves Magazine mission of advocating for women’s rights, social fairness and equal opportunity.

The gala was hosted by acclaimed actors, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Isabelle Huppert, and the audience was treated to a live performance from international opera star James Valenti and Michelin star dining by chef Laurent Tourondel.

Melton was chosen for leading by example and being a role model for future generations. As EVP for TimeWarner she is responsible for overseeing the Company’s policy offices in Washington, D.C., London, Brussels, Hong Kong and Buenos Aires.

Melton serves on the Board of Trustees of JBG Smith Properties (NYSE: JBGS), the Board of Directors and First Vice President of the Economic Club of Washington, D.C., as well as the Boards of start-up incubator Halcyon and the Phillips Collection. She is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

#movespowerwomen

Barbara and Jenna Hager Bush WHCInsider Interview

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Barbara Bush, Jenna Bush, Tammy Haddad. Photo courtesy Haddad Media

WHCInsider co-founder Tammy Haddad spoke with Barbara and Jenna Bush, #SistersFirst, at a book party hosted by Connie Milstein, Dr. Mark Dybul and Anita McBride at The Jefferson Hotel.

While they would not reveal the joke their father, President George W Bush whispered to President Obama at the Hurricane relief event, they twins explained why they have the best jobs in the world.

Barbara Bush is the founder of Global Health Corps, an NGO that places 216 fellows from 12 countries in positions with health organizations, such as Partners In Health and the Clinton Health Access Initiative, in Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Rwanda, Zambia, and the United States. She told Haddad they look for “rational dreamers” to join the program.

Jenna Hager Bush is a teacher, author, mother of two and Today show correspondent. She said through her reporting she was surprised by the “unexpected beauty of life.”

Both claimed Dr. Mark Dybul, who started PEPFAR, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, on behalf of President George W. Bush, as their inspiration for their focus on helping others.

Dybul thanked Connie Milstein for raising awareness of good works and good people.

The full interview is on the Washington Insider podcast on iTunes.

Radio & Television Correspondents’ Association Holds 73rd Annual Correspondents’ Dinner

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Uber’s Justin Kintz with Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer. Photo courtesy Haddad Media

The Radio & Television Correspondents’ Association brought together hundreds of journalists, politicos and business leaders Wednesday evening at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC for the 73rd annual Radio & Television Congressional Correspondents’ Dinner.

The evening began with a reception hosted by media champion Uber.

Photo courtesy Haddad Media

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan wowed the crowd with his keynote address, taking a jovial tone by telling the crowd that:

“The reason I wanted to come by is because I have seen your latest approval ratings.  And I just want to tell you, keep your heads up.  As low as they are, they could be a whole lot worse.  Because they could be my approval ratings.”

The Speaker turned to a more serious topic, addressing the role of a free press in our nation.  While the White House dismisses stories critical of the administration as “fake news,” the Speaker praised the work done by the media and the central role journalists play in our system of government.

“We have a very messy system. But this very messy system of government is the best possible system, and this messy system of government completely relies on a free and open press… Our Republic does not work without what you do.”

IHeartRadio’s Bobby Bones was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, with headline entertainer and correspondent for Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” Roy Wood, Jr. making fun of all parties with a great riff on the importance of trust.

Guests included House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Senator Joe Manchin, Rep. Mark Meadows, Wolf Blitzer, Dana Bash, Craig Gordon, Ryan Williams, Brian Lamb, Sara Murray, Gloria Borger, Justin Kintz, Jimmy Kemp, Kenny Day, Bill Gibbons, John Parkinson, Robin Sproul, Sam Feist and Kevin Cirilli.

Get some popcorn and watch the entirety of the 73rd Annual Radio & Television Congressional Correspondents’ Dinner courtesy of C-SPAN here.

Jimmy Kemp, Justin Kintz, Carly DeBeikes, Ken Strickland, Sam Feist and friends. Photo courtesy Haddad Media

CNN’s Alisyn Camerota Book Party at Newseum

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Washington’s Bad Ass media women hosted a book party to celebrate one of their own, CNN Anchor Alisyn Camerota. Dana Bash, Juleanna Glover, Ana Navarro, Daniella Landau, Megan Murphy, Hilary Rosen and Tammy Haddad brought together colleagues and friends to celebrate the publication of her novel, Amanda Wakes Up, on July 20th at the Newseum. It was a fitting place because Ms. Camerota is donating all the proceeds of the book to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Ms. Camerota is a veteran of ABC News and Fox News and has been hitting new ratings heights this year as co-host of CNN’s “New Day” with co-host Chris Cuomo. Guests included Chris Coons (D-Del.) and his son, Michael,  Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Valerie Jarrett, Chris Cillizza, Fox News host Steve Hilton, Carol Melton, Tom Forrest, Carl Hulse, Katie Hinson, Rachel Pearson, Rob Flynn, Robin Goldman, Gloria Borger, Victoria Espinel, David Chalian, Sally Flynn, David Gelles, Betsy Klein, Kevin Cirilli, Ashley Killough, Laura Jarrett, Craig Gordon, Jeff Zeleny, Robert Draper and Kirsten Powers, Kate Bennett, Katie Hinman, Lauren Pratapas, and Jackie Kucinich.

Newseum Alisyn Camerota Book Party July 20, 2017

The book has just been released and is available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Amanda-Wakes-Up-Alisyn-Camerota/dp/0399563997

President George Washington appears at White House Correspondents’ Annual Garden Brunch

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Ian Kahn, who plays President George Washington, gave an impassioned speech celebrating a free press and the First Amendment at this year’s White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch. Kahn presented Sergeant Major Sedrick Banks (Ret.), with a Visionary Award for his successes after recovering from severe combat injuries to owning his own small business. Banks was one of the first alums of veteran leadership initiative Dog Tag Bakery.

Kahn also said of the White House press corps and journalists who speak truth to power, “You are the front, you are fighting for liberty and for our freedoms. I think every day, ‘What would George Washington do?’ I think he would thank you. He would ask you to fight for your country.”

Kahn also appears in this season’s Billions series on Showtime.

For more photos from the 2017 #gardenbrunch click here.

Volta Insider: Scientists and Protesters Come to DC for Earth Day March for Science

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Photo courtesy Volta Insider.

On the latest episode of Volta Insider, Rachel Greenberg went to the National Mall to talk to some of the protesters and scientists who showed up to celebrate science and advocate for facts.

Inspired by the worldwide Women’s March protest which took place the day after President Donald Trump’s inauguration, the March for Science was held on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, to highlight environmental science in the face of climate change.

Denis Hayes, the founder of Earth Day, spoke to the marchers. “This is about last November’s election. Did America somehow vote to melt the polar ice caps and kill the coral reefs and acidify the oceans? Did we vote to reduce the EPA’s research budget by a whopping 42%?”

Greenberg introduces us to (ret)Navy Captain John Zimmerman, a nuclear engineer and submarine veteran, who carried a sign reading, ’Je suis science’.

Zimmerman said of the importance of this event, “Science has been my life, I’ve been a submariner so I’ve been involved in nuclear engineering and principles of science for my entire life. I just feel really strongly that if we support science, if we’re not afraid to figure out what the truth actually is, we’ll be great. I always want to bring the data to the problem. I don’t want to hear stories, I don’t want to hear alternative facts. No, there’s only facts, and that’s why I believe so strongly in what we’re doing here today.”

Meet more of the scientists Greenberg interviewed including Bob Hirshon, Program Director for Technology and Learning for the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Check out the latest episode of Volta Insider here:

Episode 18: The March for Science

Subscribe to Volta Insider on iTunes here:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/volta-insider/id1049322728?mt=2

Follow Rachel Greenberg on Twitter @VoltaInsider

FIGHT NIGHT BREAKS RECORD $5.2 MILLION RAISED – MORE AUCTION ITEMS NOW

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Caption Fight night 2016 Steve Schmidt, Kevin Plank, Tammy Haddad, Harold Ford. Photo courtesy of Haddad Media.

Fight Night 2016 – Steve Schmidt, Kevin Plank, Tammy Haddad, Harold Ford. Photo courtesy of Haddad Media.

Washington’s Fight for Children’s annual Fundraiser, Fight Night, continued its over the top tradition with boxing matches, great music and giant steaks and cigars.

Co-chairman Kevin Plank and Raul Fernandez brought together Washington sparklies for boxing, cigars, steaks and great music. Musical performances included Foreigner, Sheila E, GrandMaster Flash to name a few.

If you missed the event you can still contribute to the educational services of the children of Washington and Baltimore by checking out these After Fight Night Auction items. Looking for ways to support Fight For Children? The Fight Night Online Auction  has a variety of new and exclusive items available for bidding right now – click here and select “After Fight Night Sale” under Categories, to see the full list.

Check out a quick video of the evening’s highlights here.

Victorious VEEP!

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VEEP Cast for WHC Insider article

It was another golden night at the 68th annual Emmy Awards for HBO’s VEEP.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus a.k.a. President Selina Meyer, kicked off the gala with one of the evening’s biggest laughs with her cameo in the opening vignette: Emmy host Jimmy Kimmel discovers she’s riding in the back of a limousine driven by former Republican presidential candidate, Governor Jeb Bush.

This year, the beloved actress took home her fifth consecutive win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. During her acceptance speech, she charmed the crowd by apologizing for her show’s unintended influence on the current political climate.

Her win was a poignant won, when Louis-Dreyfus revealed her father William Louis-Dreyfus passed away on Friday at the age of 84.

VEEP won the top prize from the Television Academy for Outstanding Comedy Series for the second year in a row. Afterwards, VEEP Emmy winners Dave Mandel, Lew Morton and Peter Huyck were seen entering Jimmy Kimmel’s after party which included every major comedy player from James Corden and Jimmy Fallon to Chris Rock and Amy Schumer.  Tom Arnold to Jeff Ross, Matt Damon to Kit Harrington and Sophie Tucker. John Mayer dancing to a rockin band, while guests dined out on gourmet liquor, BBQ, and Pizza. The no photos rule gave the 300 or so guests an intimate vibe, but the crowd cheered for Veeples Tony Hale, David Mandel, Lew Morton and Peter Huyck.