White House Correspondents Insider

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

Biden to Hold Press Conference Amid Coronavirus Confusion and a Stalled Agenda In Congress

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Photo Source: Politico

Ahead of his one year anniversary in office, President Biden plans to hold his first formal news conference in months. Biden has remained out of the public eye this week as he prepares for just the second solo White House press conference amid slipping poll performance, 40-year record inflation levels looming, and all-time high COVID-19 cases. 

The President is seeking to  highlight his administration’s progress amid the ongoing pandemic. In announcing the press conference, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the president “looks forward to speaking directly to the American people.” 

Averages of the most recent national polls compiled by both Real Clear Politics and FiveThirtyEight put Biden’s approval at 42% and disapproval at 52%. 

Biden’s approval rating hovered in the low to mid 50s during his first six months in the White House. But the president’s numbers began to decline in August at the wake of Biden’s much-criticized handling of the U.S. exit from Afghanistan and a surge in COVID-19 cases this summer.

Biden’s approval ratings average has hovered in the low 40s and his disapproval ratings average in the low 50s since mid-October. 

But a Quinnipiac University national poll grabbed headlines last week when it measured the president’s approval at just 33%. A White House memo described the survey as an “outlier.”

However, it’s important that Biden makes this press conference. “There are times when you have to step up. This is one of them,” said David Axelrod, a former top adviser to President Barack Obama, in The Washington Post. “You have to try to shape the narrative of the last year, because you know the media and opposition will.”

Top Biden-Harris Strategist Symone Sanders To Join MSNBC 

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Symone D. Sanders, the former Senior Advisor and Chief Spokesperson to Vice President Kamala Harris, joins MSNBC as an anchor, hosting a new weekend program on the cable channel. The hire marks the first big programming move for new MSNBC President Rashida Jones, who took charge of the channel in February 2021 after its longtime head Phil Griffin departed.

Tammy Haddad, Symone Sanders, former FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, and Rachel Greenberg at the 2016 WHC Garden Brunch

Sanders’s new MSNBC program will air on Saturdays and Sundays starting in the spring, although the title, format, and time slot are all to be determined, according to NBC. She will also serve as a fill-in anchor on the network and host a show on “The Choice,” the streaming arm of MSNBC on NBCUniversal’s digital service, Peacock.

The release states that “Sanders will bring her expertise, spirited rhetoric and sharp political insight to MSNBC’s multi-platform channels. Her program will explore issues at the intersection of politics, culture and race and break down how decisions made in Washington impact electorates, industries, and communities across the country. She will also interview law and policy makers, top government officials, scholars, and thought leaders.” 

Highly accomplished, Sanders was one of the highest-ranking Black women in the Biden White House. In her mid-20s, she became national press secretary for Senator Bernie Sanders’s 2016 presidential campaign, then joined CNN as a quick-witted and creative commentator. When a Republican official told her to “shut up” during a live interview, her viral response later became the title of her memoir, “No, You Shut Up: Speaking Truth to Power and Reclaiming America.”

Sanders joined the Biden campaign in 2019 as a senior adviser, with particular passions for issues of women and Black voters. She strongly advocated for her candidate, so much so that in March 2020 she tackled a protester who rushed the stage during President Biden’s speech on Super Tuesday. In the transition to the White House, she played an integral part of Vice President Kamala Harris’s team. 

In an interview with The New York Times, Sanders expressed her interest in moving beyond politics and transitioning into media. “I’m a young woman, a young Black woman from the Midwest,” said Ms. Sanders, who grew up in Omaha. “Yes, I do politics, but I’m also a consumer of pop culture. I watch the news, I check Twitter, but I’m also into ‘Real Housewives.’ I’m interested in reaching what I call the nonpolitical group chats, the discussions that are penetrating outside of Washington.”

Sanders isn’t the first White House alum to transition into television news. “I’m going to tell the truth, and sometimes the truth is critical,” she told the New York Times of her new role at MSNBC. “This administration has its critics, just like everyone does — I have my critics — and we’re going to have those conversations.”

As a political spokesperson, Sanders understands the full perspective of the intersection between politics and media. “Oftentimes, when it came to the vice president over the last year, people were not reporting on the truth, they were reporting on the gossip.” 

Speaking last month to The Omaha World-Herald about her decision to leave the Biden Administration, Sanders said that she planned “to continue to be a reliable voice for this White House on the outside, regardless of whatever I do next.” Sanders will remain based in Washington, D.C., as she begins her new role, and she plans to marry her fiance, Shawn Townsend, in August 2022.

Shop-For-A-Cause Supporting Dog Tag Bakery At Tyson’s Lafayette148 Store

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Lafayette 148 Holiday Fundraiser

The political stars were out to support the veteran’s hiring program, Dog Tag Bakery, on Tuesday evening November 30th. April Ryan, Hilary Rosen, Anita McBride, and Tammy Haddad invited friends and colleagues to  the holiday shop-for-a-cause at Lafayette148 in Tysons Galleria with proceeds going to support Dog Tag’s work.

Attendees were invited to shop, drink, and enjoy the sweet treats freshly made in Dog Tag Bakery’s Georgetown shop. The non-profit was founded in 2014 by Connie Milstein and Father Rick Curry. More than just a bakery, the Dog Tag Fellowship Program seeks to support veterans, military spouses, and caregivers return to their communities with confidence, support, and a new sense of purpose. 

Lafayette 148 Holiday Fundraiser

Two graduates of the program were styled in the latest Lafayette 148 fashions by King Chong, Megan Boswell from Lafayette HQ and Whitney Harrington and the Tyson’s team. Ms. Jonee Coleman served 10 years in the Army, working as an Army information systems operator/analyst. She has dedicated her time to updating her skills and revising her current business for success. Ms. Ronetta Jones served 13 years in the U.S. Air National Guard. In 2018, she founded XtraOrdinary Solutions, achieving success in business consulting and event operations management. Lindsay Walls, director of development and Elizabeth Vana from Dog Tag Bakery shared program details to the invited guests. 

Lafayette 148 Holiday Fundraiser

Notable guests included Washingtonians old and new. White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Erica Loewe, the White House Director of African American Media were joined by Michelle Obama’s former Chief of Staff Tina Tchen, Kathleen Buhle Biden, Kimberley Fritts, Kendra Barkoff, Susan Davis, Virginia Coyne, Courtney Surls, Tim McBride, Nancy Murphy and Rebecca Kutler.  

 

They were joined by several prominent women in media, such as Wendy Benjaminson from Bloomberg News, CNN’s Abby Phillip, and Axios DC reporter Paige Hopkins. 

Lafayette 148 Holiday Fundraiser

Lafayette 148 New York’s King Chong and Megan Boswell with Whitney Harrington and her entire Tyson’s team cheered on the shoppers!

Lafayette 148 Holiday Fundraiser

Politico Playbook mentioned the event this morning here. 

Lafayette 148 Holiday Fundraiser

To order Dog Tag Bakery treats for your business clients and family click here.

Veteran Diplomat Martin Indyk’s New Book On Kissinger

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Secretary John Kerry with Gahl Burt and author Ambassador Martin Indyk at Cafe Milano book Party

On November 17th,  Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba and Franco Nuschese hosted a book party for Martin Indyk’s newest work, Master of the Game: Henry Kissinger and the Art of Middle East Diplomacy at Cafe Milano in Washington, DC.  

Attendees included diplomatic heavy hitters like John Kerry and Ambassador Al Otaiba, who paid tribute to Indyk with a kind speech. Indyk then spoke, entertaining the crowd with an amusing story about Henry Kissinger and issuing many thanks. 

 

NYT columnist Tom Friedman and Amb. Yousef Al Otaiba at the celebration at Cafe Milano

Newly confirmed U.S. Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides, Israeli Ambassador Mike Herzog, Sally Quinn, and former Congresswoman Jane Harman were also present for the celebration, as well as media figures Wolf Blitzer, Norah O’Donnell, and Kaitlan Collins. Other notable guests included Tom Friedman from The New York Times, Roxanne Roberts from The Washington Post, and Jeff Goldberg from The Atlantic.

U. S. Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides with Tammy Wittes and friend

 

Cafe Milano owner Franco Nuschese and CNN’s Kaitlan Collins

Martin Indyk served twice as U.S. Ambassador to Israel from 1995-1997 and 2000-2001. He was President Clinton’s Middle East adviser on the National Security Council, and in Clinton’s second term he became the assistant secretary of state for Near East Affairs. Master of the Game is Indyk’s third book, and first solo publication in a few years. 

The Miss America Preliminaries Close Before "Shoe Us Your Shoes"

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The 53 contestants for the 2014 Miss America competition. photo: B. Vartan

The 53 contestants for the 2014 Miss America competition. photo: B. Vartan


The preliminaries for the Miss America pageant are over as the 53 contestants prepare for Sunday’s grand finale. The winners of last night’s final prelim program were Miss Georgia Carly Mathis and Miss Florida Myrrhanda jones winning the swimsuit and talent categories, respectively.

In honor of Miss Arkansas’ clogging, NJ.com goes through some of the less traditional talent choices over the many years of Miss America competition. But last night was also honoring other Miss America traditions, such as former Miss America Donna Axum Whitworth, who was crowned back in 1964 where she was Miss Arkansas and used her scholarship to help complete her Bachlore’s and Master’s degree at University of Arkansas.

The final prelim for 2014 featured a new twist for the swimsuit category when Miss Kansas Theresa Vall showed off more than her shoes–her tattoos.

The 22-year old sergeant currently serving in the U.S. Army features two tattoos–one the Serenity Prayer, the other the symbol of the U.S. Army Dental Corps. Coincidentally, she’s also the second contestant to ever be on active duty while participating the Miss America pageant.

The Washington Post spoke to Miss D.C. Bindhu Pamarthi who spoke about her experience in the pageant when it comes to nerves:
“The stage fright actually hasn’t gone away…At the same time, I definitely have developed a technique for how you deal with that anxiety. I know how to channel that into energy and charisma on stage.”

The weekend kicks off tomorrow with the annual “Show Us Your Shoes” parade, which Miss Maine Sondra Celli is going to stand out thanks to 50,000 Swarovski crystals and the rest of her parade attire from the Maine Sun Journal. Rumor has it that there will be a pair of bedazzled Louboutins.

Miss America Honors 9/11 During Preliminaries

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Miss America 2013

Sam Haskell, CEO of the Miss America Organization, with Miss Minnesota and Miss Oklahoma at the 2013 Miss America competition. Via YouTube.

The second night of the Miss America preliminary competition saw two new winners along with a somber tribute to September 11th.

Last night’s program opened with the Spotlight Performers Show Choir’s rendition of “God Bless America.” Speaking to the AP, Miss America Organization CEO Sam Haskell recalled what happened on the date in 2001:

“No one knew what to do. Should we cancel? There was no book to follow…They’d be damned if they let a vicious enemy keep them from celebrating those values. Those girls stood up. And they are still standing.”

Miss Oklahoma Kelly Griswold and Miss Minnesota Rebecca Yeh both won scholarships during last night’s preliminary. Griswold took home a $1,000 schoalrship for the swimsuit competition while Yeh received $2,000 during the talent competition for her performance. Since the regionals, Yeh has been stunning crowds with her playing:

“It’s been a huge way for me to give back to other people,” Yeh said. “I love sharing with other people whenever I can.”

Including Tuesday’s winners Miss Mississippi Chelsea Rick and Miss New Hampshire Samantha Russo there are now four scholarship winners thanks to the Miss America Organization. Thursday will be the final preliminary before the weekend’s festivities including the famous “Show Us Your Shoes” parade followed by the big event on Sunday night at 9pm on ABC.

Christie Names Interim NJ Senator

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Seems like a Jersey Boy picked a Chiesa boy when it comes to Frank Lautenberg’s seat. Chiesa, the current New Jersey attorney general, was announced by Gov. Chris Christie to act as interim senator according to the New York Times.

This comes days after Newark Governor Cory Booker announced his own attempt to explore a Senate run before October 16th’s special election. This means all of the 2014 pundits desperate for a red-meat race will get their meal early this year in a race that’ll go through a Dem and GOP primary before the big show.

Best of all, this brings up the chance to do it all over again in 2014. Suddenly all the Hardballs, Newshours and New Days have a vested interest in the Garden State.

John Dingle on the last 57 Years in Washington

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This week Rep. John Dingle celebrates 57 years on Capitol Hill, going over 30 terms and 11 different presidents. In the interview with the New York Times, Dingle reflects on the changes in policy and a greatest hits of what’s happened in Washington. Choice quotes include:

  • “Nixon was, according to Eisenhower, a great bad man.”
  • “Obama…has probably got the smallest rolodex of anybody in this town.”
  • “I never wanted to be president. You’re never a human being after that.”
    It’s a quick runthrough of Dingle’s greatest hits without his wife Debbie or children. No sign of Michigan’s newfound holiday, “John Dingle Day,” in 2009 or the time he read a poem responding to Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly’s “War on Christmas” speech. Instead Dingle’s reflections go over the many presidents that came and went, while leaving the survivor of three redistricting in Michigan in office for half a century.

    • Barbara Walters Announces Her Retirement…

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    …next summer? Ok!

    The mainstay anchor and reporter of ABC has announced her plans to retire in 2014.

    “I am very happy with my decision and look forward to a wonderful and special year ahead both on ‘The View’ and with ABC News,” she said. “I created ‘The View’ and am delighted it will last beyond my leaving it.”

    “There’s only one Barbara Walters,” says ABC News President Ben Sherwood. “And we look forward to making her final year on television as remarkable, path-breaking and news-making as Barbara herself. Barbara will always have a home at ABC News and we look forward to a year befitting her brilliant career, filled with exclusive interviews, great adventures and indelible memories.”

    As for the rest of the release–ok? Back in March Walters suffered from a fainting spell, which turned out to be the Chicken Pox. But now we’ve got a year to honor and praise “The View” co-founder including her last series of specials to air later this year.

    "The End of Big" Book Party [Photos]

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    The End of Big

    Nicco Mele’s new book, “The End Of Big,” delves into the impact and lessons of new technology across a wide political, economic, media and social spectrum — a spectrum reflected in the diverse cross-section of Washington political and media leaders, campaign veterans, current and former government officials and business and new technology leaders who turned out in force to fete Mele at “The End of Big” book party hosted by Connie Milstein, Tammy Haddad, Doug Wilson, Joe Trippi and Jeff Trammell last night at the Jefferson Hotel.

    Nicco Mele

    Former Assistant Secretary of Defense Doug Wilson and former Howard Dean campaign manager Joe Trippi – who shared a small, windowless office in Denver as senior members of the ill-fated 1988 Gary Hart for President campaign – introduced Mele, seen as the guru of Dean’s high-tech leap from obscurity to front-runner status throughout most of the 2004 Democratic primary campaign. “Little did I know when I shared that small space in Denver with Trippi that he would be responsible for the emergence of an unknown to national prominence, someone who would transform the national political landscape, “ Wilson told the crowd. No, it was not the former Governor of Vermont: it was the man who merged high-tech and politics, Nicco Mele.” Trippi, now a frequent political commentator and international political consultant, introduced his protégé recalling that the hard-working Mele made sure he and his team also took time to appreciate the world around them: “I caught Nicco and his crew away from their desks once and found them outside.” Trippi said. “ ‘We were just looking at the sunset’, Nicco told me. I yelled at them and said ‘Do you think Kerry’s people are looking at the sunset? Bush’s?’ He gave me a look that shut me up.”

    Mele, seen as a “godfather” of a field that has expanded exponentially in the past decade, and mentor and role model for young practitioners responsible for Barak Obama’s unprecedented use of social media to attract voters, galvanized the crowd with his comments about the impact technology continues to have on all aspects of life. He held up his smartphone to the crowd and told them that the phone case had been made using his new 3-D printer, and that future models would enable people to “print” everything from shoes to rifles.

    More photos are below: