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VP Biden Surprises Axelrods at CURE Epilepsy Event

December 8, 2012 By WHC Insider

CURE Epilepsy’s 2012 Key to the Cure event announced a new Slash The Stache campaign: CNN pundit and Purple Strategies’ own Alex Castellanos has volunteered to give up his moustache if he can bring in 500 more donors. At the event, co-hosted by Connie Milstein and JC de La Haye Saint Hilarie, Tammy Haddad and Susan & David Axelrod, David Axelrod started off remarks with a rhetorical question: “So what’s a mustache,” said Axelrod. “What’s a mustache mean? We got $1.1 million to remove it.”

Held at a private residence in Washington, D.C., Susan and David Axelrod, fresh from their Morning Joe appearance where he lost his iconic mustache, informed the assembled crowd about the DC campaign. “Alex called me and said ‘I’d be willing to join you in this Slash the Stache’ movement if that would be helpful. Tonight we announced on CNN if we can add another 500 donors to the 26 donors we added this month, he will shave his mustache off on CNN. Which, as Alex pointed out, for a Cuban is even harder than it is for me.”

Axelrod closed out his announcement by making way for a surprise guest: Vice President Joe Biden.

“He has great empathy for people who struggle,” said Axelrod in his introduction. “He came out and spoke at our dinner last year in Chicago. Everyone in that room felt like there was a family member there talking to them because he understood their struggles.”

“I came tonight,” said Vice President Biden, “because I think it’s appropriate to nominate Susan for the Nobel peace prize. Because it’s great to be at a bi-partisan event in Washington where everyone knows what to cut and who should pay for it.”

The Vice President went on to address the effects of epilepsy, including the fifteen million effected throughout the world by the disease along with 65,000 that perish from the disease. Referencing his own sister-in-law’s son, Vice President Biden described it as “not only a lightning storm in the brain, but a knife in the heart.”

“All you have to do is look in my sister-in-law’s eyes,” said Biden, “Look at this magnificent child and know there’s not a damn thing you can do to stop the seizure.”

Biden singled out the great scientific work of three top NIH doctors, Dr. Frances Collins, Dr. Story Landis and Dr. Tony Fauci. He also praised the “bi-partisan” efforts of Alex Castellanos in joining the DC Campaign. Washington veteran Heather Podesta is Castellanos co-chair of the new campaign.

Guests included Obama top aides Alan Krueger, Fred Hochberg, Alyssa Mastromonaco, Dan Pfeiffer, Jon Favreau, Ben Rhodes, Bruce Reed, Evan Ryan, Tony Blanken and Cody Keenan. Tech was well represented by Fred and Kim Humphries of Microsoft and Walt Mossberg of “All Things Digital.”The Defense Department’s Jeremy Bash and former Defense Department official Doug Wilson attended along with Dr Mark Dybul, the new head of the Global Fund for AIDs, Tuberculosis and Malaria. GOP Hill top aides Doug Heye (Cantor) and Michael (Boehner) and MK Steel were there to support the cause and Alex Castellanos. Media favorites Jonathan & Betsy Fischer Martin, Ed Henry, Bill Plante,Kimberly Dozier, Luke Russert, Gretel Truong, Kelley McCormick and Patricia Harrison, President of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Washington newcomer, New York Times Congressional reporter Jeremy Peters and partner, Dr. Brendan Camp were greeted by new Washington colleagues. Purple was well represented by Steve McMahon and Rob Collins.

You can watch the full video of the event including the Vice President’s remarks below:

Video streaming by Ustream

Friends and sponsors included Jim McGreevey, American Beverage Association, Dan Whyte, from Brookfield Renewable, Erik Smith from Blue Engine Message & Media, Microsoft, Walmart and American Airlines. Greta Van Susteren and husband John Coale were thanked for their support, friendship and co-sponsoring the event.

David Greenberg was the lucky 11 year old boy along with babysitter Lauren Campbell who were given a ride home by the Vice President in his motorcade!

Filed Under: Event Coverage, News, Washington Events Tagged With: Alan Krueger, Alex Castellanos, Betsy Fischer, CNN, CURE Epilepsy, David Axelrod, David Greenberg, Dr. Frances Collins, Dr. Marc Dybul, Dr. Tony Fauci, Ed Henry, Fred Humphries, Greta Van Susteren, Jonathan Martin, Luke Russert, Microsoft, Patricia Harrison, Susan Axelrod, Vice President Biden, Walmart, Walt Mossberg

Sally McDonough Gets a Sparkly Send Off

August 9, 2012 By WHC Insider

It was cowboy hats, bandanas guacamole and chips with lots of catching up as Anita McBride and Amy Zantzinger co-hosted a cocktail reception to send Sally McDonough to Texas in style.

Ms. McDonough is joining the George W. Bush Presidential Center team in Dallas.  She is best known for her role as First Lady Laura Bush’s press secretary during the second Bush administration, but she spent the last few years helping the amazing scientists and doctors at NIH get their good word out.

McDonough, who began her career with Senator John Heinz, greeted former White House colleagues and media friends at McBride’s Spring Valley home. Guests included Missy DeCamp, Skyla Freeman, Robin Sproul, Betsy Fischer, Carrie Stevenson, Robin Gradison, David Almacy, Erin O’Connor, Amy Allman Dean, Sara Culvahouse, Lyric Winik and White House Correspondents Insider, Tammy Haddad.

There were many wishing Norah O’Donnell well in her September debut as a host of  “CBS This Morning.”  O’Donnell described how she plans  to commute to work  for the first 6 months since her kids are already enrolled in a Washington school.

McDonough is getting to Dallas just in time- the George W. Bush Presidential Center opens in the spring of 2013.

Filed Under: DC Tagged With: Amy Allman Dean, Amy Zantzinger, Anita McBride, Betsy Fischer, Carrie Stevenson, David Almacy, Erin O'Connor, First Lady Laura Bush, George W. Bush Presidential Center, Lyric Winik, Missy DeCamp, Nikki McArthur, Norah O'Donnell, Robin Gradison, Robin Sproul, Sally McDonough, Sara Culvahouse, Skyla Freeman, Tammy Haddad

Gibraltar's McCormick Feted

July 12, 2011 By WHC Insider

An intimate group of media friends and pr colleagues raised their glasses to Kelley McCormick in celebration of her new role as partner and chief operating officer at Gibraltar Associates. Tammy Haddad and Betsy Fischer co-hosted the summer luncheon at the Jefferson Hotel.

Eric Bovim, GA’s CEO and co-founder, said McCormick’s tenacity and spirit were the perfect fit for taking the GA team to the next level. McCormick, who comes to GA from Qorvis Communications, welcomed everyone in the room by saying they represented the different aspects of her life thus far. Guests included: Mike Allen, Adam Sharp, Kimball Stroud, Tracy Sefl, Michael Clements, Emily Lenzner, Kate Bennett, ThinkFoodGroup’s Ann McCarthy, Karen Sommer-Shalett, Janet Donovan, Nikki Schwab, Susannah Shakow, Kiki Ryan, Matt Dornic, Holly Page, Marc Adelman, Maura Corbett, Amy Argetsinger, Halle Mayes, Tiffany Cross, Gretel Truong, David MacKay, Sarah Schaffer, Sophie Gilbert, Alicia Jennings, Ha Chan, Christina Wilkie, Elizabeth Thorp, Jennifer Nycz-Conner, Kate Ocyzypok, and Revamp.com’s Daniel Swartz.

Filed Under: Washington Tagged With: Betsy Fischer, Eric Bovim, Gibraltar Associates, Jefferson Hotel, Kelley McCormick, Tammy Haddad

"Meet" Welcomes Erika Masonhall to NBC

March 3, 2011 By WHC Insider

“Meet the Press” rolled out the red carpet Wednesday night for its newest acquisition Erika Masonhall. Betsy Fischer, “Meet The Press” Executive Producer, hosted a cocktail reception at her home to introduce Washington TV and political reporters to the program’s new press representative. For some Hill reporters it was a chance to get reacquainted as Masonhall came to NBC from Capitol Hill, where she worked for several years as the communications director to Senator Joe Lieberman.

Masonhall is representing some of NBC News’s biggest franchises including “Meet the Press” and “Nightly News.” “Meet the Press” Moderator David Gregory invited the crowd of reporters and NBC executives to raise their glasses in a toast Mendenhall.

NBC News President Steve Capus, NBC News press team leader Lauren Kapp and the new Washington Bureau Chief Antoine Sanfuentes, chatted with reporters about the latest Washington buzz on a potential government shutdown, the 2012 GOP field and of course, the upcoming book from Mark Leibovich already causing an uproar on the Hill and in journalism circles.

A state visit from team Politico led by Mike Allen, Jonathan Martin, Manu Raju, and Keach Hagey.

Reporting favorites Emily Goodin, Jackie Kucinich (on her way to USA Today) Jeff Zeleny and Paul Kane enjoyed crab cakes, spring rolls and “Meet the Press” cupcakes made by Marla Romash of “Marla’s Magic.”

Filed Under: News Media Tagged With: Antoine Sanfuentes, Betsy Fischer, David Gregory, Emily Goodin, Erika Masonhall, Jackie Kucinich, Jeff Zeleny, Jonathan Martin, Lauren Kapp, Marla Romash, Meet the Press, Mike Allen, NBC, Steve Capus

Obama Originals and Regulars Reunite at HBO Party

October 23, 2009 By Tammy Haddad

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“By the People,” the HBO documentary by Amy Rice and Alicia Sims, brought together top Obama campaign veterans and the press corps that followed them through the historic 2008 election for a backslapping, bear-hugging reunion at the newly renovated Motion Picture Association of America. HBO President Richard Plepler greeted top White House advisers Anita Dunn, Austan Goolsbee, Dan Pfeiffer, Sarah Feinberg, Bill Burton, Mike Blake, Dag Vega, and Washington’s newest Chicago import Susan Sher, the First Lady’s longtime friend and chief of staff.

The filmmakers’ Obama bus mates were well represented in the 80-plus crowd beginning with bestselling author Richard Wolffe, Obama “original” Juliana Goldman, Lynne Sweet, plus several campaign heavy hitters: Mike Allen, Mark Leibovitch, Jeff Zeleny, and David Jackson.

Representing the 2008 TV and pundit corps: Hilary Rosen, Jonathan Capehart, Betsy Fischer, and David Chalian.

The party went into overdrive when Reggie Love huddled with Richard Plepler; one line formed to take photos with Love and another to shake hands and schmooze with Plepler.

Washington’s elite came out to watch the HBO screening: Ben Bradlee, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, George and Liz Stevens, and Bob Barnett. And all eyes were on Barnett and the HBO chief, as they huddled over their upcoming projects.

Obama media man Jim Margolis and White House Communications Director Anita Dunn spoke after the screening, reminding the crowd that Rice and Sims joined the campaign in 2006.  And after an inspiring speech about the campaign, Margolis told how he meticulously prepared for commercial shoots at the critical campaign moment Rice and Sims were always present, whether it was around the campaign office or stepping in a the right moment to get the shot of the candidate who made history. Dunn said the film captured the special feeling of what it was like to work on the campaign and that “there will not be another campaign that was like the Obama 2008 campaign…people felt that they were a part of something much bigger than one individual.”

Reggie Love, who was always one step in front of or behind Obama in the film, attended the screening with two BlackBerry’s in hand, greeting many of those who spent hours covering the candidate or working on the campaign.  MSNBC’s Richard Wolffe, who made several appearances in the film, cheered and laughed along with his colleagues as the audience could see through the camera lens the sometimes quiet and sometimes frantic moments of the campaign.

For many it was a chance to relive the excitement of the campaign, for others it was to catch up with Obama people who are now running the country.

“By The People” premieres November 3rd at 9:00 p.m. ET on HBO.

Filed Under: Event Coverage, News Media, Uncategorized, Washington Events, White House Staff Tagged With: Alicia Sims, Amy Rice, Anita Dunn, Austan Goolsbee, Ben Bradlee, Betsy Fischer, Bill Burton, Bob Barnett, Dag Vega, Dan Pfeiffer, David Chalian, David Jackson, George Stevens, Hilary Rosen, Jeff Zeleny, Jim Margolis, Jonathan Capehart, Juliana Goldman, Liz Stevens, Lynne Sweet, Mark Leibovitch, Mike Allen, Mike Blake, Reggie Love, Richard Holbrooke, Richard Plepler, Richard Wolffe, Sarah Feinberg, Susan Sher

Obama Protocol Chief Capricia Marshall Makes a State Splash

September 14, 2009 By Tammy Haddad

Valerie Jarrett, Desiree Rogers Offer Support

Capricia Marshall and Family

Capricia Marshall and family with Sec. Hillary Clinton

The Ben Franklin Room of the State Department was filled with stars and stargazers, as well as family and friends, as Secretary Hillary Clinton presided over the swearing-in ceremony for her longest-serving aide, Capricia Penivac Marshall, as chief of protocol.

Marshall, the former Clinton White House social secretary and campaign veteran, came to Washington with the Clintons in 1992. Secretary Clinton shared a hilarious Inauguration story about Marshall being stuck outside the White House gate.

It wasn’t just Clinton friends. Top Obama pals Valerie Jarrett, Desiree Rogers, and First Lady Michelle Obama’s Chief of Staff Susan Sher, were there to pay tribute to the newest executive in charge of diplomatic activities for President Obama. Roger’s deputies Ebs Burnough and Joe Reinstein had a crowd of admirers lined up to say hello.

CLICK here to see Marshall’s official list of duties.

Marshall’s protocol team includes some Washington’s savviest veterans, including deputies Lee Satterfield and Dennis Cheng. Her team debuts on the world stage this month with one of the biggest diplomatic gatherings of the year: the G-20 meeting in Pittsburgh.

Obama State Department Ambassadors Elizabeth Bagley (Global Partnerships) and Melanne Verveer (Global Women’s Issues) added their shine to the large crowd. Clinton family members, from mom Dorothy to daughter Chelsea, cheered for their close friend. Marshall’s 9-year old son Cole mugged and husband Rob Marshall looked shocked by Clinton’s shout out to him as “the best cardiologist in the world.”

Parents Frank and Mary Penavic beamed and assorted cousins from her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, watched the ceremony.

Former protocol ambassadors Lucky Roosevelt, Lloyd Hand, Lea Berman, Evan and Kit Dobelle joined former White House Social Secretary Ann Stock and veterans of other administrations in their own mini-reunion

Celebrity guests included: Greta Van Susteren and her husband John Coale, Mandy Grunwald, Janet Howard, Ann Orr, Claire Shipman, Michael Feldman, Melissa Moss and her husband Jonathan Silver.

Pam Stevens, once Condoleezza Rice’s press secretary and now press adviser to Ambassador Nancy Brinker and Race for the Cure, caught up with old friends as Betsy Fischer and other media types worked the room. New York’s fabulous event planner, and Marshall pal, Bronson Van Wyck drew his own crowd.

Terry McAuliffe had a double-barreled receiving line around him; no surprise there. He also hosted a Friday night gathering at his McLean home.

Check out the photo gallery:

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Filed Under: Event Coverage, Washington Events, White House Staff Tagged With: Ann Orr, Ann Stock, Betsy Fischer, Bronson Van Wyck, Capricia Marshall, Claire Shipman, Dennis Cheng, Desiree Rogers, Ebs Burnough, Elizabeth Bagley, Evan Dobelle, Greta Van Susteren, Hillary Clinton, Janet Howard, Joe Reinstein, John Coale, Jonathan Silver, Kit Dobelle, Lea Berman, Lee Satterfield, Lloyd Hand, Lucky Roosevelt, Mandy Grunwald, Melanne Verveer, Melissa Moss, Michael Feldman, Pam Stevens, Susan Sher, Terry McAuliffe, Valerie Jarrett

Serena Williams Aces Washington, On Court and Off

July 15, 2009 By Tammy Haddad

Serena Williams played for the Washington Kastles last night, after after spending the afternoon at the White House.

She wowed the crowed, which included: NBC’s Betsy Fischer and Luke Russert, Bloomberg’s Al Hunt and Margaret Carlson, Newshour’s Judy Woodruff, Larry Summers from the White House NEC, and venture capitalist and Kastles’ co-founder Mark Ein (those are the Fenty boys next to Mark).

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And Serena showed everyone what they came to see — some great tennis. Serena won her Singles match 5-2 (against Marie Eve-Pelletier), she and Rennae Stubbs won their Doubles match 5-1, and Serena and Leander Paes ran away with the Mixed Doubles match 5-0.

Filed Under: Event Coverage, Washington Events Tagged With: Al Hunt, Betsy Fischer, Judy Woodruff, Larry Summers, Luke Russert, Margaret Carlson, Mark Ein, Serena Williams

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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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