White House Correspondents Insider

Behind the scenes of the most powerful city in the world — Washington, D.C. — and those who cover it.

Ellen Tauscher Joins Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC as Strategic Advisor

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DC’s finest lawyers, politicos and media congratulated Ellen Tauscher for her new role as a strategic advisor to Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC.  Democratic House Leader, Nancy Pelosi and House Whip Steny Hoyer joined Managing Director Scott Campbell to praise Ms. Tauscher for her dedication to serving the American people, her strength and steel while serving as the US’s chief negotiator in nuclear talks, and her humor.

Ms. Tauscher was a seven term representative of California’s 10th Congressional District then joined the State Department as the Special Envoy for Strategic Stability and Missile Defense. After departing the State department earlier this year, she became the Vice Chair-Designate for the Atlantic Council’s Brent Scowcroft Center for international Security.

Guests included Jane Harman, Heather Podesta, Jay Newton Small, Jane Harmon, Glenn Nye, Dan Mulhollan, Ambassador Elizabeth Bagley, Tom D’Agostino, Karen Thurman, Kate Moss, Cranwell Montgomery, and other Baker Donelson staff who are eager to welcome Ms. Tauscher to the firm.

Pamela Harriman Foreign Service Fellows honored at State Department

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The Benjamin Franklin diplomatic room at the U.S. Department of State was filled with past and future dignitaries and diplomats to honor the 10th anniversary of the Pamela Harriman Foreign Service fellowship program.  In partnership with the College of William & Mary, they provide “funding for students interning over the summer in the U.S. Embassies in London, Paris, or the Secretary of State’s Office in Washington, D.C.”  Pamela Harriman was married to the son of British P.M. Winston Churchill and later became the U.S. Ambassador to France; she passed away in 1997. Her granddaughter, Jennie Churchill, thrilled the gathering by greeting guests and fellows alike.

Welcoming the star-studded crowd was President Obama’s Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Capricia Marshall, described the Ambassador as “proud to be an American by choice” and retold the story of the first time she met Ambassador Harriman: “She was the first person who hosted President Clinton and Mrs. Clinton for dinner at her home in Georgetown and I remember that moment meeting her and thinking, what an extraordinary person, so poised and elegant, I really think I’m going to like Washington.”

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was traveling, sent a letter that Ambassador Marshall read to the crowd: “…this fellowship remains a vital tool of diplomacy.  With a myriad of challenges we face around the world, it is essential that we cultivate a new generation of young leaders who will work together to find solutions, forge peace, and foster prosperity…. Ambassador Harriman was an extraordinary woman whose dedication to public service remains an inspiration.”

Senator Dianne Feinstein called Pamela Harriman, “A true original. She sought out new challenges with dedication and enthusiasm.  She traveled the world and discovered how dialogue, communication, and clear understanding of history and culture could bridge differences between foes and lead to mutual, beneficial solutions.”

Jennie Churchill told the rapt crowd, “Having lived through the Second World War and been closely involved with my great grandfather, Sir. Winston Churchill, Pamela understood the importance of diplomacy and politics to peace and life in a democratic world. From her husband, Averell Harriman, who was governor of New York, and a leading diplomat, Pam also learned much about world politics and met leaders on both sides of the Iron Curtain.  She lived a fascinating life, at the forefront of world events.”

His Excellency Francois Marie Delattre, Ambassador of the French Republic; President Emeritus Timothy J. Sullivan of the College of William & Mary; Governor James Blanchard, also spoke fondly of their time with Ambassador Harriman and her impeccable ability to serve with grace and dignity.

Janet Howard, who served as Director of Mrs. Harriman’s political committee and Chief of Staff for many years, was recognized from the podium for her incredible work on behalf of the fellowship program. Howard recently retired as Vice President at the Coca Cola Company.

After the remarks, 14 former fellows joined for a group photo, many of whom have gone on to public service and will continue Ambassador Harriman’s legacy. Other guests included Ina Ginsberg, Sen. Chuck Robb and Linda Robb, Stuart Eizenstat, Ambassador Lloyd and Ann Hand, Marc Adelman, Allen Fleishman, Bob Barnett, Candy Stroud,  Liz Stevens, Ann Jordan, Dr. Billington, Bill and Dorthy McSweeny, and former Speaker Tom Foley and wife, Heather.

Check out more photos from the event:

"A Good Man" In DC – Mark Shriver Celebrates His Father In New Book

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Washington came together at the Jefferson Hotel to welcome, remember, congratulate, and celebrate Mark Shriver and the book he wrote about his beloved father, Sargent Shriver. Fred Ryan, President and CEO of Politico, vice-chairman of Allbritton Communications and Chairman of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation began the program by welcomed guests and congraulated Mark on his book’s contribution to history. CURE Epilepsy Founder, Susan Axelrod introduced Shriver, whom she met on a plane with Vice President Biden after her daughter, Lauren, competed in the Special Olympics.  Many elected officials, policy makers, and media attended including House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer and Rep. Chris Von Hollen, Senator Bob Casey and former Senator Chris Dodd, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Molly Elkin, Holly Page, Susanna and Jack Quinn, FOX’s Ed Henry, NBC’s Luke Russert, Peter Alexander, Geoff Morell and Kelley O’Donnell!

“A Good Man: Rediscovering My Father Sargent Shriver” is a heart-tugging inside story of the trusted member of  the Kennedy family, a man dedicated to doing good and a father who lifted the world with his big heart. Mark told the crowd:

“He clearly had the ability to balance his faith, his family, his friends, his commitment to the community, his commitment to the world. And for me, struggling how to balance all of that, how to raise three kids, how to deal with aging parents, how to have friends, and make a commitment to God and still try to do something with my life, I decided to dig in and try to figure out what dad’s secrets were, and that’s what this book really is.”

Check out the photos from the event and video of the program below:

Game Change Premieres in DC

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John Heilemann, Sarah Paulson, Julianne Moore, Mark Halperin

Mike Allen reported in today’s Politico Playbook, that while New Yorkers (who had their premiere two nights ago) thought the new HBO Film Game Change “was a sit-com,” Washington watched it as a documentary.  The Newseum was packed with reporters and 2008 campaign staff eager to see the much buzzed about Game Change film based on the book by the same name by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin.  Walking the red, or blue rather, carpet were the authors, screen writer Danny Strong, director Jay Roach, and the star of the film, Julianne Moore, who plays Sarah Palin and Sarah Paulson who plays staffer Nicolle Wallace. Also in attendance were veteran producers Gary Goetzman and Tom Hanks, as well as McCain senior campaign strategist, Steve Schmidt who was portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the film.

The film takes place five years ago starting in 2007, following the John McCain campaign through selecting Sarah Palin as his running mate and the struggles and victories within the race.  Viewers such as Wolf Blizter praised Moore’s performance – “She did an amazing Sarah Palin. She looked like her, she sounded like her — she was Sarah Palin,” as reported by Politico. Ed Harris as John McCain and Harrelson as Schmidt were also highlights of the film as they played characters carrying the emotional weight of a presidential campaign having to make difficult decisions.  The film mixed real news footage of reporters and then candidate Obama with film footage which gave Blitzer, Gwen Ifill and Katie Couric cameos.

Check out more photos from the premiere below:

Meyers and McCurry Host Junior Statesman of America

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Dan Meyers and Jeff Harris host JSA Event

Junior Statesmen Foundation and Junior State of America alumni and friends gathered at the Arlington home of Dan Meyers and Kevin Latek last week to hear a presentation from the CEO of the Junior Statesmen Foundation, Jeff Harris. The event was held to raise awareness of the Junior Statesmen organization, which provides opportunities to educate high school students on the American political system throughout the DC area.

“Our challenge is getting high school students to be excited about their government, their chance to participate, their chance to make a difference,” said Harris. “JSA is all about giving high school students the skills, the knowledge that they need to become active, involved participants in our democracy for the rest of their lives.

Mike McCurry, the former Press Secretary to President Clinton and JSA alum, co-hosted the “friendraiser” along with fellow JSA veteran Dan Meyers, Rich Galen, Sarah Hoffman, Junelle Cavero, Andy Green and Tammy Haddad. He told the gathering that his first and only political campaign was through the Junior Statesmen of America Foundation while he was still in high school. McCurry ran for the position of Junior Governor of California, which he won.

“[JSA] is a program unlike some of the others that I think many [people] are familiar with… this one actually allows people to be involved, get involved, and really learn by doing,” said McCurry.

Dan Meyers joined the JSA when he was a student in Ohio. Today, he serves on the JSA board and sees it as his way of giving back to the foundation for the support it gave him throughout his high school years.

“The foundation is something that is very close to my heart,” Meyers said. “It’s something that inspired me to get involved in politics.

Guests included JS Board members Doug Bailey, Chris Dunn, JSA staff alum David Mark, Susan Sher, the former FLOTUS Chief of Staff, Jessica Stuart, Junelle Cavero, CEO of Blue Knot Strategies LLC; the divine Chris Edwards, wowed the crowd with the families fabulous Edward Marc Chocolates.

Check out photos from the event below:

Saluting Susan Sher

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New Washington friends and old Chicago pals gathered at The Jefferson Hotel to honor Susan Sher. Sher came to Washington with the Obamas serving first in the White House Counsel’s office and for the last 18 months as the First Lady’s Chief of Staff. Connie Milstein, Hilary Rosen and Tammy Haddad hosted the luncheon, which included David Axelrod, Kevin Sheekey, Julianna Smoot and Patrick Gaspard.

Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren (with his wife, Sally) saluted Sher’s West Orange, New Jersey roots as the other jersey girls, Anita Dunn and Hilary Rosen, proudly cheered him on.

While not a jersey girl, Manhattan-born Connie Milstein, is the proprietor of The Jefferson and invited the guests to raise their glasses to “thank Susan for her service to the nation.”

David Axelrod, who leaves Washington at the end of the month, praised Sher for her always-cool leadership and integrity. Axelrod said he was already making Chicago plans with Sher and Julianna Smoot, the White House Social Secretary, who announced this week she would go back to Chicago as Deputy Campaign Manager.

Other guests included Milstein’s husband, JC de La Haye Saint Hilarie, Linda Douglass, Rabbi David Saperstein, Anne Fleming, Alan Solow, Susan Davies, Danielle Grey, Maude Baggetto, Danielle Borrin, and Holly Page.

The luncheon crowd dined on Tomato soup, Cod, Coq au Vin and Chocolate Brulee and everyone walked out with an anatomically correct White House chocolate bar. Click for photo gallery

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TYO hosts "A Night for Tomorrow's Youth" at Cafe Milano

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The day after Julia Roberts dined at Cafe Milano, its front facade was covered with the emblem of Tomorrow’s Youth Organization (TYO).  Terry McAuliffe and Hanri Masri greeted guests and shared their mission of TYO that works in disadvantaged areas of the Middle East, enabling children, youth and parents.  Steve Clemons of the New America Foundation, Christine Delargy of CBS and Fishbowl DC’s Matt Dornic were all in attendance.

Guests sampled calamari, buffalo ravioli and mushroom risotto while a DJ played music to the chic crowd.  Surprise guest was Representative Jim Moran.

McAuliffe introduced this powerful video about some of the problems faced in the Middle East and the hope that TYO has brought to the community.

Google & POLITICO Host 2010 Election Preview

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Google and POLITICO host a 2010 Election Preview today at the Newseum.  Last night there was a lot of prep work done to prepare for a panel, interviews with David Axelrod and Ed Gillespie, and some of DC’s favorite journalists Politico’s Mike Allen and Washington Post’s Jonathan Capehart who will host the event.

Check out more from Fishbowl DC’s post.

You can also watch LIVE at www.youtube.com/citizentube starting at 2:30 PM Eastern.

Mika Touts Fashion And Epilepsy Research

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While New York wraps up its Fashion Week, DC had it’s own celebration of fashion mixed with a great cause spearheaded by Susan Axelrod, founder of CURE Epilepsy.    Mika Brzezinski, of Morning Joe fame brought her great fashion sense and even bigger heart to the J.McLaughlin Clothing store to benefit CURE Epilepsy at the Georgetown shop.

Mika Brzezinski and Susan Axelrod

Amongst a colorful display of handbags, sweaters, and dresses,  glittering media (the sparkly Mike Allen and Morning Joe’s Louis Burgdorf) and government officials (FLOTUS Chief of Staff Susan Sher) picking up some of the latest trends for fall.  A percentage of the proceeds go straight to fund research to find a cure for epilepsy.

Fashion plate Postie Jonathan Capehart bought a nice selection of shirts, and Politico’s Mike Allen got a shirt and tie combo while Quorvis’ Kelly McCormick picked up the perfect little black dress.

CURE board member Gardiner Lapham and her mother were in attendance and  J. McLaughlin CEO Steven Siegler charmed the crowd offering wine and cheese and great cheer.   Debbie Dingell,  Jayni Chase and Marc Adelman, Patrick and Anne Gavin, and other Georgetown socialites chatted with Axelrod as she posed with supporters and friends.

What is more fitting in Georgetown than a parting gift of a Georgetown Cupcake in a blue J. McLaughlin box!

Check out more photos below: