White House Correspondents Insider

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

SKDKnickerbocker Hires Oren Shur as Senior Vice President and Political Director

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Photo courtesy SKDKnickerbocker.

SKDKnickerbocker has announced that former director of paid media at Hillary Clinton for America and director of independent expenditure at the Democratic Governors Association Oren Shur has joined as senior vice president and political director.

Managing director Bill Knapp praised the news, saying “we’re really excited to have Oren on board. SKDK was born from the desire to provide our clients with best in class service and revolutionize political consulting and advertising… With Oren joining the team, I’m confident that we’ll live up to the legacy we’ve created for ourselves and continue to do great work for our clients and on issues that matter.”

Shur has worked in several competitive campaigns over the past decade and a half, including Hillary for America, the Democratic Governors Association, and campaign manager for the re-election of Go. Jay Nixon (D-MO) in 2012.

President Trump Says He Would Attend 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner

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Photo courtesy Gage Skidmore.

The president announced in February that he would not attend this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, scheduled to take place this Saturday, April 29.  But in a recent interview with Reuters, President Donald Trump suggested he may participate in future dinners.

“I would come next year, absolutely,” Trump replied when asked if he would attend future White House Correspondents’ Dinners.

This year marks the first time a sitting president was not at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner since Ronald Reagan was recovering from an assassination attempt in 1981.  Jimmy Carter was the last president to turn down an invitation to the 1978 Dinner.

Instead of attending the dinner, President Trump is schedule to speak to a political rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Jeff Mason, White House Correspondent for Reuters and president of the WHCA, has said the president’s absence is not all negative.  He said it would be “a great opportunity to make clear that this dinner is about celebrating the press, not the presidency.”

Two Pillars of Democracy to be Honored at Annual White House Correspondents’ Weekend Garden Brunch

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Vanessa K. Bush, Helen Mirren, April Ryan and King Chong at the 2016 White House Correspondents Weekend Garden Brunch. Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

The White House Correspondents Weekend has always been full of presidents, politicians and Hollywood stars, but there is also the support of important causes.

The White House Correspondents Dinner scholarship fund for journalism students leads the weekend. The Annual #GardenBrunch raises awareness for causes that are close to their hearts each year. Here’s a look at some of the causes they have championed and some of the big names that have come out to show their support:

2012 – The White Ribbon Alliance, CURE Epilepsy
David Axelrod, Sarah Palin, Arianna Huffington, Rupert and Wendi Murdoch

 

2013 – Miss America Scholarship program, CURE Epilepsy
Kevin Spacey, Eric Cantor, Mallory Hogan – Miss America 2013, Sharon Stone, Travis Kalanick

 

2014 – Dog Tag Bakery, Blue Star Families
Michael Kelly, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Mike Rogers, Patrick Stewart, Father Curry, Jose Andres, Joe Manchin, Reid Scott

2015 – Dog Tag Bakery, Blue Star Families, Partnership for Open and Fair Skies
Chris Matthews, Valerie Jarrett, Steve and Jean Case, Taya Kyle wife of American Sniper Chris Kyle, Craig Newmark, Katie Couric, Kathy-Roth Douquet, Joanna Coles, Chris Dodd

2016 – Halcyon House and Halcyon Incubator, Yellow Ribbons United, Playfield in the Park
Helen Mirren, Bryan Cranston, Rosario Dawson, Jeff Goldblum, Tony Goldwyn, Charlie Rose, Brian Stelter, Tina Tchen, Shelia Johnson, Daniela Lopez, Kevin Plank

The hosts announced today that this year they will honor two pillars of democracy: military veterans and a free press.

Read more about the Garden Brunch here:

WHC Brunch

MSNBC Announces White House Correspondents’ Dinner After-Party

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Photo courtesy Wikipedia.

MSNBC will be holding an after-party at the Organization of American States immediately following the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.

Unlike other organizations and outlets that have opted not to hold celebrations surrounding the annual dinner, MSNBC has chosen to move forward with its annual tradition.

“This evening has always been a celebration of the First Amendment and developing the next generation of correspondents,” an NBC spokesperson said. “In that spirit, we’ve historically supported deserving organizations, and will do so again this year through a donation to the National Press Club’s Scholarship for Journalism Diversity.”

The New Yorker and The Hill have opted not to host events during the weekend of the Correspondents’ Association dinner this year. Vanity Fair and Bloomberg have also announced they will not host their annual after-party.

In February, President Trump announced on Twitter that he would not attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the first time a sitting president was not in attendance since 1981 when Ronald Reagan recovered from an assassination attempt. Last month, the White House announced no staff would attend, in “solidarity” with the president.

“The WHCA board regrets this decision very much.  We have worked hard to build a constructive relationship with the Trump White House and believe strongly that this goal is possible even with the natural tension between the press and administrations that is a hallmark of a healthy republic,” WHCA president Jeff Mason said in a statement.

The White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner will be held on April 29th at the Washington Hilton. Proceeds from the event will go toward scholarships for upcoming journalist students.

Today’s WHCD 2015 Round Up

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CBS nabs real, fictional secretaries of State for WHCD
“Two secretaries of State — a real-life former one, Madeleine Albright, and the Hollywood version, Téa Leoni, — will attend the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner this weekend. Albright and Leoni, who plays the fictional title role on “Madam Secretary,” will both be guests of CBS News at the April 25 festivities in Washington.”

Gov. Kasich takes flirtation with White House run to next level, creates ‘New Day for America’ fund
“Kasich will be traveling to Washington, D.C. later this week for a number of stops including the White House Correspondents Dinner and an appearance Sunday on CBS’s “Face the Nation.””

Listen Up, D.C.! Here Comes the White House Correspondents’ Jam.
“Leavell recruited five correspondent-fronted bands — Fortune Senior Editor-at-Large Brian Dumaine, Esquire scribe Tom Junod, CNBC Senior Economics Reporter Steve Liesman, New Yorker Editor David Remnick and Vanity Fair Contributing Editor Mark Rozzo are all slated to play with their respective outfits — to blow the doors off the Fairmont Hotel (2401 M St. NW) on April 24 from 7 to 11 p.m.”

Téa Leoni, Gina Rodriguez, Tim Daly Join WH Correspondents’ Guestlist
“The network is also bringing actress Gina Rodriguez and her actor boyfriend, Henri Esteve; “Madam Secretary” actor Tim Daly; Virginia Sen. Mark Warner; former CBS newsman and now NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence & Counter-terrorism John Miller; Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro; Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro; Lebanon Ambassador to the U.S. Anotine Chedid; and former U.S. Ambassador to Italy David Thorne.”

Funny Girl Gig: Cecily Strong Fourth Female Entertainer at White House Correspondents’ Dinner
“Strong follows Wanda Sykes (2009), Elayne Boosler (1993) and Paula Poundstone (1992).”

How To Stream The White House Correspondents’ Dinner Live, Because It’s The Hottest Place To Be Saturday Night
“The cast of Modern Family is expected to attend, as well as Michael Kelly, Gina Rodriguez, Gabourey Sidibe, and Naya Rivera. We’ll see you Saturday night.”

‘SNL’s’ Cecily Strong Promises Hard Laughs at White House Correspondents Dinner
“She said that it “felt like the right year” to do the dinner as President Obama also has Chicago-area roots. “It was really sort of like, ‘Well, it’s now or never,’” she says of taking the gig.”

John Kerry Nominated for Secretary of State

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Sen. John Kerry meeting the President of Liberia (via Press Office for Senator Kerry)


Christmas comes early for Senator Kerry with this nomination for secretary of state. Let’s run down what we’re all saying about the expected nomination from President Obama at 1:30 p.m. this afternoon:

WaPo: “Kerry has long sought the post as America’s top diplomat, but appeared to be Obama’s second choice after U.N. Ambassador Susan E. Rice. Rice withdrew her name from consideration earlier this month because of Republican opposition based on her role as administration spokeswoman in the fatal Sept. 11 attack on U.S. compounds in Benghazi, Libya.”

CNN: “It’s ironic that several prominent Republicans are rallying behind Kerry, just eight years after their party demonized him during his failed 2004 presidential campaign against President George W. Bush.”

Los Angeles Times:”Kerry, 69, has chaired the Senate Foreign Relatons Committee since 2009. His selection gives the White House a veteran foreign policy hand who has demonstrated his willingness to work with Obama’s inner circle of advisors over the last four years.”

Politico: “Kerry’s Republican colleagues have indicated that the confirmation process will be a smooth one — far easier than the one United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice would have faced had Obama nominated her. Rice withdrew her name from contention last week.”

Politico also reports that current Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will not attend while still recovering from a slight concussion. But that hasn’t stopped the rumor will for who’ll be gunning for his seat. The Atlantic Wire toplines a scruffy Ben Affleck, Scott Brown, Ed “Ted” Kennedy, Jr. while The Hill likes Rep. Ed Markey.

Slate wishes there was a special election because why not make 2013 more than just a regular ol’ “election year.” But maybe being will help?

Ed Henry Wins WHCA Presidency

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Ed Henry, 2009 Gridiron Dinner. Haddad Media

The 2012-13 White House Correspondents Association election results are in–and so is President-Elect Ed Henry of CNN.

FishbowlDC shares the other incoming elects: Politico’s Carol Lee takes the At-Large Chair, Time’s Michael Scherer the Magazine Chair and Henry also won the TV Chair.

While congratulating Lee, Mike Allen shares the WHCA voting tally, proving the At-Large vote was the closest of the four races. Under the President write-ins, however, it’s hard not to notice one sarcastic vote for Helen Thomas.

Now that a new board has been selected, the eerily-quiet anticipation for who’ll inherit the abandoned front row seat may continue.

Captiol File WHCD After-Party To Be At MayFlower

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Niche Media CEO Jason Binn and Capitol File magazine’s John Colabelli and Sarah Schaffer are hosting their Fifth Annual Afterparty with special guests including Wolf Blitzer of CNN’s The Situation Room. Bobby Flay, Chef and TV personality will be adding his unique flavor to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and music will be handled by world-renowned DJ Cassidy.

The WHCD after party will take place at the The Mayflower Renaissance Hotel starting at 10 pm. Last year’s event was held at the Corcoran Gallery.

WHCInsider Exclusive: Quinn Bradlee Engaged!

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“Pary Williamson and Quinn Bradlee

Pary Williamson and Quinn Bradlee 5/4/09

Quinn Bradlee, son of Washington Post legends Ben Bradlee and Sally Quinn popped the question (over the phone!) to Pary Williamson and the engagement news was the talk of George Stephanopoulos’ party for Lee Woodruff’s new book.

Sally Quinn tells the WHCInsider that the ring is a Bradlee family heirloom. It belonged to Ben Bradlee’s great-great-grandmother Suzette Crowninshield.  Quinn has been on tour for his new book and web site, Friends of Quinn.  For photos of the book party Barry Diller threw for Quinn go to WHCInsider.com/scrapbook.   Stay tuned for video of the party…