White House Correspondents Insider

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

Barbra Streisand Honored At Lincoln Center Before Correspondents Weekend

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Barbra Streisand ,Broadway star and second daughter to Washington, is on her way back to Washington. But first, she was honored earlier this week by the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s 40th annual gala awarding her the Chaplin Award.

On the New York Times‘ Arts Beat, Streisand was honored by a selection of New York, Washington and Hollywood at the annual gala. Introduced by her longtime friend and former President Bill Clinton, Steisand’s ceremony featured performances from Tony Bennett and Liza Minnelli recreating some of the Funny Girl’s greatest hits.

Of course, the ceremony was a precursor to the bigger news of the week–that she’ll be headed down to Washington as a guest of Bloomberg during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.The Post quotes itself from 1993 when it reminds us why Steisand is such an iconic figure:

“Now, where is Barbra Streisand?” asked Wolf Blitzer, CNN’s senior White House reporter. “I mean, let’s get our priorities straight.”

Passing by Cabinet secretaries and administration officials, Blitzer beelined for the center of the room, where Streisand was conferring with Gen. Colin Powell, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, about homosexuals in the military. “I’ve been a great fan of yours all my life,” offered Blitzer, who then found himself in an intense political discussion with the diva.

And why not? Streisand, elegant in an off-the-shoulder cream gown, pearls and diamonds, has impressive political credentials: Let’s see … she’s played an activist in more than one movie, raised a bunch of money for Bill Clinton and, she remembered, “I sang for President Kennedy 30 years ago” at this very event. “That’s why I was so excited to come as a guest tonight.” Streisand, escorted by producer Richard Baskin, was a guest of Newsweek.

As for what the Chaplin Award means, Lincoln Center explained in a previous statement:

“The Film Society’s Annual Gala began in 1972 and honored Charlie Chaplin – who returned to the US from exile to accept the commendation. Other honorees include many of the film industry’s most notable talents, including Alfred Hitchcock, Billy Wilder, Laurence Olivier, Federico Fellini, Elizabeth Taylor, Bette Davis, James Stewart, Robert Altman, Martin Scorsese, Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Michael Douglas, Sidney Poitier, and most recently Catherine Deneuve.”

PR Firm asks Politico's Mike Allen "Are You Media?"

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Politico's Mike Allen recording the program
edit: Yes, in the original we said “Mike Ryan.” It’s because we were reading HuffPost Entertainment.

This seems to be too crazy even for the week leading up to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday. Politico reports that the actual White House Correspondents’ Association overnighted a trademark lawsuit to GBK Productions (which Politico provides here). The source of the lawsuit? A gifting suite that GBK is co-partnering with The Creative Coalition that’s called “GBK & The Creative Coalition White House Correspondence [sic] Weekend Gift Lounge.”

This goes against the trademark of the WHCA and gives visiting celebs the false impression that their dinner hosts would be providing free swag from “the St. Regis Bora Bora, Made by Survivors handmade jewelry, Lovelinks by Aagaard jewelry, EyeWalker Elements Aromatic Botanical Alchemy (a.k.a.., perfume) , Jorg Gray watches ‘and more'” according to today’s Playbook.

To further dig a knife into the wound, when Mike Allen tried to inquire further he was met with the age-old response given to online journos since 2004: “Are you media?” And given the always charming response from another GBK representative: “If you’d like to RSVP, follow the instructions on the email. Any other questions, we have no comment.”

It seems silly that a gifting firm wouldn’t look into possible legal issues if they name themselves after the weekend festivities they’re attending. Even sillier is asking whether or not a company like Politico are press. Maybe Tom Brokaw wasn’t wrong when he took the encroaching celebrity aspect of the dinner to task? Or maybe it’s far too late as our annual fete for journalists–now the worst ranked job of 2013–comes calling.

VEEP Season 2 Premiere Party Photos

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Veep Season 2 screening

The second season of HBO’s Veep premiered yesterday as Julia Louis-Dreyfus took up the Second-in-Command role of Selina Meyer for her next term. As the victional V.P. battles the results of a mid-term election, the actual star came to Washington last week for a special screening at the MPAA.

While we had a minor SNL cast-of-1985 reunion between Louis-Dreyfus and Senator Al Franken, MPAA Chairman Chris Dodd welcomes the HBO star to the real District (Veep films up in Maryland sharing space with Netflix’s House of Cards).

Below we have photos from the reception from last week’s premiere, along with some notable appearances from Washington regulars and the occasional former Senator-turned-Chairman Chris Dodd.

SEE YOU AT THE 2013 WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS GARDEN BRUNCH, GRETA!

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Greta’s classic invites include Ozzy Osbourne himself.


Greta Van Susteren stunned the Washington political media establishment by
telling Politico’s Dylan Byers that she will skip the White House
Correspondents Dinner this year but she made the brunch co-hosts very
happy. Van Sustern and her husband John Coale created some of the most
memorable moments since she switched careers from law to television. Her
2001 move (check year) to Fox News Channel was chronicled with the cover
of People and her show, On The Record, have been number 1 for “45 quarters.”

She told Dylan she won’t be attending and explained further at Gretawire. The reason? Supposedly this Washington Post article detailing this year’s guests.

Still, Greta has been a main stay at the WHCA Dinners of past. She’s the prime reason why Kardashians and Lohans show up:

Shawn Champan Holley, John Coale, Greta van Susteren, Kris Jenner and Lindsay Lohan

Greta is so instrumental she can make once-in-a-lifetime-shots like this happen:

Todd Palin, John Coale, Greta van Susteren, David and Susan Axelrod, Sarah Palin, Wendi and Rupert Murdoch

While she’s not attending the dinner this year, you can be sure she’ll be at our brunch on the day of the White House Correspondents Dinner. It’s not the same as the dinner–the brunch is much more loose and laid back when it comes to photos, off-the-record conversation and general fun. Of course, it’s invitation only. Like all the quality stuff in Washington.

This year, for the first time, the brunch is being held to raise awareness for the Miss America scholarship program. They’re devoted to STEM (or Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education. Mallory Hagen, the 2013 Miss America and Miss New York, has engaged young women in STEM issues. Miss America Board Chairman Sam Haskell announced the STEM initiative before January’s broadcast on ABC:

“The Miss America Organization will work with national and community partners to create an unconventional approach to driving young women’s interest in STEM.

Our efforts coincide with the national momentum to teach STEM curricula outside traditional school settings, targeting female students who are currently underrepresented in STEM professions. Our hope is to help shift girls’ attitudes about STEM and boost the percentage of women employed in STEM-related industries. It’s not just the right thing to do, but is also the smart thing to do for America’s future and our economy.”

We continue to support the research efforts of CUREepilepsy and see their latest research at their site. We’re pleased to announce we will be broadcasting the brunch program live on Saturday April 27th.

Zoe Barns Crashes Booker Reception, No Ribs Eaten

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It may not be viral marketing, but House of Cards‘ Kate Mara showing up at a fundraiser is a reminder the spiritual successor to K Street is coming back. The original Netflix drama is set to start up production later this month while the White House Correspondents Dinner kicks into gear, so it isn’t strange that the stars are making their way back to Washington.

Politico caught the tweet that Mara, who plays upcoming new media gadfly Zoe Barns, sent out from a fundraiser for Trenton Newark Mayor Cory Booker last night:

Does this mean Booker has secret plans to open a special BBQ joint in DC should he successfully take outgoing Senator Frank Lautenberg’s seat in 2014? Just to be safe, no one should tweet Booker if they happen to have an injured dog.

edit: our Trenton/Newark mistake came from a sudden case of wanting ribs. We regret the error! Sorry, Jersey!

Catherine Bennett Joins IMG Worldwide

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Catherine Bennett, known around Washington as Katie and daughter of Bob and Ellen, has taken a new role at IMG Worldwide. Reported on Wednesday by Women’s Wear Daily, Bennett is taking on the role of senior vice president and managing director of IMG fashion events and properties. She’s on her way from coming from the Council of Fashion Designers of America as a director of business affairs having been there since 2009.

Since heading out of Washington she’s made her mark in the business side of fashion and advertising at William Morris, Central Parks Summer Stage, and–like her father–can practice law after passing the bar in New York and a Justice Administration degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

“We are very pleased to have an executive with Catherine’s experience as the new head of IMG Fashion Events and Properties,” said Chuck Bennett, President of IMG Golf, Tennis, Fashion and Events and Federations, to whom Ms. Bennett will report. “She has a deep knowledge of the fashion industry and a keen appreciation of established and emerging designers.”

According to the official announcement from IMG, “she will be responsible for further developing and expanding the company’s leading fashion events business around the globe, and representing many of the industry’s top organizations.”

“I am very excited to be joining IMG,” Catherine Bennett said. “I am very confident that the skills and relationships I developed during my time at the CFDA will be extremely beneficial as we work to take IMG’s Fashion business to the next level.”

Obama and Kerry Inadvertently Have Soccer-Themed Day

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Sport Zone: Football
The other kind of football has returned to Washington. On a completely seperate-but-interesting moment saw the Obama administration have to deal with sports while the rest of D.C. attend the Supreme Court ruling on Proposition 8.

Flanked by 2012 MLS Champions Los Angeles Galaxy and recent Stanley Cup champions Los Angeles Kings, the Chicago native proved Washingtonians can at least play nice with rivals as long as it is sports related.
“So I’m going to be a good sport — these guys pointed out that they beat my Blackhawks last night. I will also say that, given this season how rare it is to beat the Blackhawks, I want to congratulate them for that as well,” said President Obama. The President then received duel Galaxy/Kings jerseys–number 44 of course–and ball from recent Galaxy re-signer Landon Donovan.

Meanwhile, proven that he can’t be outclassed so quickly, Secretary of State John Kerry headbutted a soccer ball. Then he continued his audition for Dave Letterman’s Stupid Human Tricks and made our day a little brighter. In actuality this is day two of John Kerry’s meetings with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai. The soccer shots came when Kerry was introduced to Zahra Mahmoodi, the captain of the Afghanistan National Soccer Team, and a group of female entrepreneurs from Afghanistan.

While no such thing like an Intermural Capitol Hill Soccer Association exists–unlike say this awkwardly named Washington association— this seems like a great way to kick off the league.

Sen. Tim Johnson Officially Not Seeking Re-Election

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South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson won’t be seeking re-election this year, which has thrilled every politico junkie in the midwest. NBC News confirmed the news last night. Johnson, a three term senator, will give remarks later today from the University of North Dakota.

The AP reports that Johnson won’t confirm the announcement until today at his speaking engagement. He’ll serve out the remainder of his term until the 2014 Rumble for Capitol Hill begins. In a truly weird coincidence the “battle” for the South Dakota seat seems to be incredibly vast. Johnson’s departure means a shake-up for the Senate Banking Committee, which he has chaired since 2011. Also in a completely unrelated bit of news, New Jersey pollsters announced today that voters don’t care about Chris Christie’s weight. Because this is the most anyone outside of Beltway wonks has thought about South Dakota since the Birding Festival got confirmed dates in May.

D.C. Cabs Possibly Getting Credit Card Machines

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It certainly could be a slow news day with POTUS abroad in Israel–being heckled no less–but there’s immense news in Washington’s cab affairs. This summer, cabs in Washington could potentially have the ability to be paid with credit card.

DCist reports on the groundbreaking news that D.C. cabs could install credit card readers this summer. The D.C. Taxicab Commission passed the ruling yesterday and they must be voted upon when the Commission regroups in May. While paying with a credit card seems like a long-awaited dream for Washington residents, there’s also the sneaking return of the add-a-dollar-per-person charge and raising cab base rates to $3.25.

While it won’t happen in time for the White House Correspondents weekend (if at all), the ability to pay with credit card will make non-Uber users in Washington quite happy. Or else, if you want to pay with a credit card now there’s an option for that too.

Washington Examiner Shutters Yeas and Nays, Will Become Weekly Magazine

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The Washington Examiner is shutting down in June and relaunching itself as a weekly political magazine. The news trickled out earlier today over Twitter and became a full-on torrent once layoffs hit the Examiner newsroom:

The Local section’s closure was announced and publicized this morning. The plan to completely reformat the paper came a few hours later as the memo was circulated to the Washington City Paper along with the 87 staffers being laid off. The new Examiner “will offer news, analysis, investigative reporting and commentary on issues affecting national legislation and policy across a number of key areas” according to a press release from Examiner owner Clarity Media Group.

This means the loss of Yeas and Nays‘ Nikki Schwab and Alicia Cohn. While the site will probably stay up in some form, it’ll be without the two voices that cover the side rooms of The Jefferson, grilling Jake Tapper on his guffaws or Sandra Day O’Connor’s history of beer and chalupas.