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Archives for April 2011

Sarah Palin,Political+Media Elite "Man Up for Moms" @ WH Correspondents' Garden Brunch

April 30, 2011 By WHC Insider

Political and media elite mingled with Hollywood stars and Washington insiders in Georgetown Saturday at the 18th Annual White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch held at the beautiful Beall-Washington house (former residence of Katharine Graham, currently owned by businessman Mark Ein.)

The brunch, co-chaired by Wendi Murdoch and Susan Axelrod, was in honor of two important causes: The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood and CURE: Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy. With Mother’s Day a week away, the event kicked off the “Man Up for Moms” Committee of 100 Men” to bring men in to advocate for these causes and push their Mothers Day Campaigns. CLICK to cureepilepsy.org/mothersday and whiteribbonalliance.org/celebratemothers.

Wendi Murdoch, media executive and filmmaker, explained why the issue of maternal mortality is a personal issue.  Her grandmother died while giving birth to her mother.  Obama senior advisor, David Axelrod, shared their heart-wrenching story of their own family’s struggle with their daughter Lauren’s seizures which began at 7 months. Susan Axelrod, explained how CURE Epilepsy’s sole focus is on finding cause of epilepsy, not just managing medicine to stop seizures.

Sarah Palin made her Washington debut surprising the DC crowd and immediately became the focal point for fans lining up for photos and reporters hoping for a conversation. Palin and her husband, Todd. arrived with Greta Van Sustern and her husband, John Coale.  She met David and Susan Axelrod at the traditional brunch “Step ‘n Repeat.”  David Axelrod greeted her saying, “Finally, it’s good to meet you.”  Palin thanked him for his work on epilepsy research. Palin shook hands, greeted fans and posed for photos.  Politicsal reporters watched her work the room and many approached her including the New York Times Mark Lebovich, who is wriitng a book about the Washington culture, Jeff Zeleny, the New York Times political reporter, and CBS News’ Jan Greenberg.

She told Politico’s Patrick Gavin when he asked why she wanted to spend the day with White House Correspondents, that she was honored to be there.  “The nice thing about this is that we are doing it for a cause, for special needs, which of course is near and dear to my heart.”

As she was leaving the party, she was overheard telling T. Boone Pickens and his wife Madeleine, she was all for the Pickens Plan.  Palin’s sister, Molly McCann came with daughter Bristol who posed for photos for the very excited press pool.

Many of Hollywood’s finest made their way slowly through the crowd including Academy Award winner, Dustin Lance Black, GLEE star, Matthew Morrison, Chace Crawford of Gossip Girl, The Social Network’s Joe Mazzello (soon to star in a Georgetown TV show, Jeremy Piven of Entourage, Modern Family’s Jesse Tyler Ferguson with his boyfriend, Justin Mikita, and the Creative Coalition’s Tim Daly and Robin Bronk.  Celebrity manager, Eric Podwall, worked the room like a DC vet.

The rest of the entertainment industry was well represented beginning with comedian and red carpet commentator, Joan Rivers;  Academy award winning actress Mira Sorvino and Maria Bello, who most recently appeared in Beautiful Boy;  Dancing with the Stars host and author, Brooke Burke;  legandary TV actress, Morgan Fairchild; actress and activist, Rosario Dawson.

Olympic snowboarder, Shaun White, was hard-to-miss with his curly red hair and big smile and Washington Kastles Coach Murphy Jensen posed for fans as he watched the young volunteers hand out CURE Epilepsy iphone covers, White Ribbon Alliance pins and Kastles souvenirs.

Media moguls were well represented by Rupert Murdoch, Sean Parker, Arianna Huffington, Twitter co-founder Evan Williams, Internet investor Yuri Milner, and the Today Show’s Jim Bell.  On camera stars included WHCA 2010 awardee  Jake Tapper, Savannah Guthrie, Jan Greenberg, Ed Henry, Ann Compton, Jessica Yellin to name a few.

Several of Washington’s media elite joined the fun. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski,  NCTA Chief Michael Powell, Politico’s Robert Allbritton and Fred Ryan plus David Bradley.  Greta Van Susteren, Chris Wallace, David Bradley, Ed Henry, Jonathan Karl, Ann Compton, Jamie Rubin, Brett Baier, Paul Berry and Gordon Peterson.

Obama officials and Washington insiders seen at the brunch were new White House chief of Staff Bill Daley and his wife Bernie Keller, FLOTUS COS Tina Tchen, Social Secretary Jeremy Bernard, Kristina Schake, FLOTUS communications Director and FCC Chief Julius Genachowski and his wife Rachel Goslins, Christine Varney, DoJ’s Anti Trust Chief, RNC Chairman Rience Priebus, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, Howard Wolfson,  Michael Powell, Amb. Elizabeth Bagley, Larry Summers, Carol Browner, Jeremy Bernard, Amb. Capricia Marshall, Rep. Andrew Weiner and his wife Huma Abedin, British Ambassador Nigel Sheinwald, Jane Harmon, Robert Hormats, Anita Dunn, Anita McBride, Tina Tchen, Michael Chertoff,and Representative Aaron Schock.

DC Philanthropists Catherine and Wayne Reynolds, Ambassador Capricia Marshall and Sally Quinn brought sparkle to the historic Georgetown residence.  Making the rounds – and donating hundreds of delicious cupcakes for the brunch – were Katherine Kallinis and Sophie LaMontagne of Georgetown Cupcakes.

Other notable brunch attendees include Medal of Honor recipient Salvatore Giunta, Mark Shriver, American record executive Kevin Liles, economist Larry Summers, hotelier Andre Balazs and magician Gerard Senehi. Speaking of buzz, Twitter’s @TheRealBuzz – astronaut Buzz Aldrin (attending with his wife Lois) posed for photos with countless fans who took the opportunity to meet a real life hero.

The Host Committee includes Tammy Haddad, Kevin Sheekey, Hilary Rosen, Mark Ein, Alex Castellanos, Anita Dunn, Bill Knapp, Jim Courtovich, David Adler, Steve McMahon and Cafe Milano’s Franco Nuschese. Bill Homan from Design Cuisine recreated the grand, elegant house into a wonderland of modern comfort, delicious cuisine, and spectacular arrangements of everything including photos and art telling the story of the work of the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood and CURE Epilespy!

Filed Under: Correspondents, WHCA Dinner, WHCD 2011

Palin makes Politico with Brunch Visit

April 30, 2011 By WHC Insider

Politco’s Patrick Gavin scored an interview with Sarah Palin at this year’s White House Correspondent’s Brunch.

When asked about running into Donald Trump she says “He’s our buddy, we appreciate and respect Donald Trump.”

Watch the video below and see the full Politico Click here.

Ben Smith of Politico also wrote a piece on her visit which you can check out here.

Filed Under: WHCD 2011 Tagged With: Politico, Sarah Palin

Seth Meyers: How do you follow Obama?

April 28, 2011 By WHC Insider

2011 WHCD featured speaker Seth Meyers, head writer and host of Weekend Update for NBC’s Saturday Night Live, told Jimmy Fallon last night he was a little nervous about his duties at Saturday’s dinner. Especially having to follow the President, known for getting even the most hardened reporters to laugh at the annual dinner.

NBC News anchor Brian Williams didn’t help Meyers’ nerves.

“I was a little nervous to begin with and then Brian Williams…sent me an email being like: toughest room in the business – no man comes out unscathed. Even the knees of brave Achilles would go to jelly were he to stand behind that podium. Let me know if I can help…”

At least his parents will be there to cheer him on – and we’re rooting for you, too, Seth!

Filed Under: WHCD 2011 Tagged With: Brian WIlliams, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, WHCD

Sally Quinn Joins The Creative Coalition's Anti-Bullying Campaign

April 28, 2011 By WHC Insider

As politicos, Hollywood celebrities and media personalities converge on DC this weekend, many show up for a cause.  The Creative Coalition has had a long tradition of showing up with a force and enlisting some of DC’s biggest names.  The Washington Post’s Sally Quinn and the Honorable Bob Dole will join America Ferrera, Michelle Tratchtenberg, Jeremy Piven, David Arquette, Cheryl Hines, Alyssa Milano, and the Coalition’s President, Tim Daly in an event Friday night at The Washington Club to start an important initiative.   This year, along with WWE (R), they will launch the “be a STAR” anti-bullying campaign.  STAR stands for “Show Tolerance And Respect” and “aims to ensure a positive and equitable social environment for everyone regardless of age, race, religion or sexual orientation. “be a STAR” also will employ the resources of the arts to promote anti-bullying messages,” according to their press release.

The “be a STAR” Alliance includes GLAAD, Ad Council, Island Def Jam Music Group, Close Up Foundation and others leaders in the education and community service arenas.

For its first initiative, the Alliance will unveil an anti-bullying curriculum created by the National Education Association Health Information Network and distributed free-of-charge to the nation’s schools. The centerpiece of the curriculum is the recently released film, That’s What I Am (WWE Studios and Samuel Goldwyn Films).

Filed Under: WHCD 2011 Tagged With: Bob Dole, Creative coalition, Sally Qinn, Tim Daly, White House Correspondents Dinner

Newsweek and Daily Beast Bring the Big Names #WHCD

April 28, 2011 By WHC Insider

The combined forces of Newsweek and Daily Beast strike gold again. Take a look at their invites for the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.

Actress Anna Paquin, and husband Stephen Moyer (HBO’s True Blood), Colin Powell & wife Alma, Russell Simmons, Meghan McCain, German Ambassador Klaus Scharioth, and Rep. Aaron Schock.

This may also be the best dressed group, with designers Michael Kors and Diane von Furstenberg.

President Obama and WHCD host Seth Meyers will have their own cheering section with WH Speechwriter Jon Favreau and fellow SNL funnyman Jason Sudeikis.

Plus Tina Brown, Barry Diller, Jane Harman join NewsBeasters Howie Kurtz, Andrew Sullivan, Lois Romano, Peter Beinart, John Avlon, Lloyd Grove and Kathy O’Hearn.

Filed Under: WHCD 2011 Tagged With: Anna Paquin, Barry Diller, Colin Powell, Daily Beast, Diane von Furstenberg, Jane Harman, Jason Sudeikis, Jon Favreau, Klaus Scharioth, Meghan McCain, Michael Kors, Newsweek, Rep Aaron Schock, Russell Simmons, Stephen Moyer, Tina Brown, WHCD

DC's Biggest Paparazzi Weekend #WHCD

April 27, 2011 By WHC Insider

Paparazzi was seen outside the White House gates for this year’s Easter Egg Roll as Washington prepares for one of the busiest weekends of the year.  With an influx of notables making their way to the city for the White House Corespondents’ weekend, the paparazzi are preparing for, what photographer Colin Drummond says is, their “biggest weekend of the year.”

The recent Washington Post story not only covers what it is like to be a DC paparazzi, but the article also gives recognition to WHC Insider:

“Some news organizations, the New York Times, for example, have made a show of boycotting the [Corespondents’] dinner, but interest in the WHCD weekend remains intense. The number of photographers credentialed for the event has grown from 50 in 2008 to more than 100 this year, organizers say. Fans can follow the consuming details online at the White House Correspondents Weekend Insider site.”

Filed Under: WHCD 2011 Tagged With: Colin Drummond, Paparazzi, Washington Post, White House Corespondents' Dinner, White House Corespondents' Weekend

Obama releases birth certificate: Fodder for #WHCD?

April 27, 2011 By WHC Insider

The New Yorker’s Hendrik Hertzberg asks why did the President do this now? Why choose this week to release the called to question long form birth certificate?

Steven R. Weisman emailed him saying:

Don’t you get the feeling that Obama has released his long-form birth certificate as a setup for his appearance at the White House Correspondents dinner this weekend?

To read more of the New Yorker story go here.

Check out Obama’s remarks to the press below:

Filed Under: WHCD 2011

Quinn Gillespie and Associates & FD Throw First #WHCD Bash

April 27, 2011 By WHC Insider

Politico was at the first party of the week thrown by Quinn Gillespie and Associates and FD asking people who they look forward to seeing as guests to the dinner and other festivities – check out the video responses below:

For the complete story go here.

Who are you looking forward to seeing?

Be sure to tweet your answers to @whcinsider and follow us for full coverage of the weekend.

Filed Under: WHCD 2011

White House Easter Egg Roll: Kicking off a Star-Studded Week

April 26, 2011 By WHC Insider

The annual Easter Egg roll at the White House brought stars from Hollywood and families from around the country to the nation’s lawn.  Festivities kicked off with a soulful, acoustic version of the National Anthem by Colbie Caillat (which you can see her sing in the video above) and a Presidential introduction of the Easter Bunny and the First Family.  Malia and Sasha Obama then made a rare public appearance to read Maurice Sendak‘s classic book, Where the Wild Things Are (video below).

President Obama and First Lady Michele Obama then read Chicken Chicken Boom Boom (with an extremely well behaved Bo Obama at their feet).  The President also shot some hoops with kids on the basketball court while thousands of other guests enjoyed performances by Greyson Chace and Willow Smith or played with their food with celebrity chefs like Spike Mendelsohn.  There were also tennis, football, and yoga games, appearances by a variety of cartoon characters such as Charlie Brown and Clifford, and some of the most cherished photo-ops any family could have.  All went on without a hitch thanks to the months of planning by White House Staff and the leadership of the Director of the White House Visitor’s Office, Ellie Schafer.  For photos more photos of the Easter Egg Roll go here.

Dir. of White House Visitor's Office Ellie Schafer directing people into the annual Easter Egg Roll

Filed Under: Washington Events

White House Easter Egg Roll Today

April 25, 2011 By WHC Insider

Catch all of the live action here today as thousands of families ascend on the White House lawn to roll the traditional Easter Eggs, listen to stories told by Kelly Ripa or hear performances from Colbie Caillat, Greyson Chance, Willow Smith, Mindless Behavior, John Lithgow, Sesame Street, and Little Beats and DJ WillyWow.  Athletes, chefs, and of course the First Family will also make appearances.

To check out the full program go here and watch the live video from the White House below:

Check out some photos from the White House this morning, including the President shooting hoops:

Filed Under: White House Feed

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About White House Correspondents Insider

Exploring “behind the scenes” of the most powerful city in the world — Washington, D.C. — and those who cover it.

We track the White House Correspondents’ weekend and all the activities around it, from journalists and media companies to the White House and politicos.

Tammy Haddad is Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief of WHC Insider and CEO of Haddad Media.

White House Correspondents Insider is not affiliated with or approved by the White House Correspondents’ Association, which is a registered trademark of the WHCA.

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