Behind the scenes of the most powerful city in the world — Washington, D.C. — and those who cover it.
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.
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!
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).
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.
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.”
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:
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.
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
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:
New CBS News Chiefs Jeff Fager, David Rhodes, and Bureau Chief Chris Isham are bringing some of the top actors from their highly rated CBS shows. Look for Daniel Dae Kim from Hawaii Five-O, Bob Schieffer’s date Morgan Fairchild, Hill Harper from CSI New York, and Kerry Washington.
Couric fans will be disappointed, she is still on the other side of the pond on Royals duty.
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