White House Correspondents Insider

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

Jake Tapper Honored at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

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While celebrities join Washington’s media and political elite for the Annual White House Correspondents dinner, the stated purpose of the dinner is to honor the great work of Washington’s best reporters.

This year, ABC White House Correspondent Jake Tapper will receive the Merriman Smith award for “excellence in presidential coverage under pressure” in the broadcasting category.  Tapper was chosen for breaking the news that “rating agency Standard & Poor’s was on the verge of downgrading America’s triple-A credit rating because of concerns over political gridlock in Washington.”

In the print category, Politico’s Glenn Thrush, Carrie Budoff Brown, Manu Raju and John Bresnahan won for their reporting on the deal to raise the U.S. debt ceiling.

The award “recognizes presidential news coverage under deadline pressure,” comes with a $2,500 prize and will be presented at the April 28th dinner.

Check out a clip from Tapper’s recent ABC interview he scored with President Clinton:

Jimmy Kimmel to host 98th White House Correspondents' Dinner

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Host of ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be the entertainment for 2012’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner as reported by People.

“Jimmy’s humor is sophisticated and edgy while appealing to a wide audience,” said Reuters journalist Caren Bohan, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association. “We are thrilled that Jimmy has accepted our invitation to be the featured comedian at our annual dinner.”

Read the full story here.

Will Jimmy Kimmel Man Up for Moms too?

Seth Meyers' Newsworthy Week

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Seth Meyers is on the comedic roll of a lifetime.  He played the White House Correspondents dinner like a veteran, poking fun at Washington biggies including President Obama himself.

Hours after this performance, the news about Bin-Laden’s death was released, which gave Meyers great material for his Saturday Night Live skit Weekend Update. Check out the clip below:

Sally Quinn Joins The Creative Coalition's Anti-Bullying Campaign

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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).

ABC Wins Stars for WHCD

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ABC News' George Stephanopoulos and Alexandra Wentworth at CURE Epilepsy NYC 2010 Event

There will be plenty of laughs and camera flashes over at ABC News’ tables at the annual White House Correspondents’ dinner. “Modern Family” favorites Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson will be joined by “Glee’s” Jane Lynch, actor Paul Rudd from “40 Year Old Virgin” and “Anchorman,” and actor/new mom Elizabeth Banks seen recently on “30 Rock.” ESPN’s Erin Andrews will also be at the main event.

Top management will be in town, including Disney President & CEO Bob Iger who will be joined by wife Willow Bay, Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney, ABC News President Ben Sherwood, and ABC Vice President and Washington Bureau Chief Robin Sproul.

Returning to DC for the weekend will be George Stephanopoulos and wife Alexandra Wentworth. They’ll get to catch up with senior correspondents Martha Raddatz, Jake Tapper, Terry Moran, and Jonathan Karl. Rounding out the team will be Political Director Amy Walter and Senior Washington Editor Rick Klein.

ABC will be bringing plenty of political star power as well. Guests include:
White House Chief of Staff William Daley & Bernie Daley
Tom Donilon (National Security Advisor to the President) & Cathy Russell (Chief of Staff to Jill Biden)
White House Social Secretary Jeremy Bernard
Senator Marco Rubio & Jeanette Rubio
Attorney General Eric Holder & Dr. Sharon Malone
Admiral Mike Mullen & Deborah Mullen
Senator Amy Klobuchar & John Bessler
Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano
Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall (National Security Council) & Dr. Jeffrey Randall
Ambassador Salem Al-Sabah & Rima Al-Sabah
Former Secretary of Commerce and new US Ambassador to China Gary Locke & Mona Locke
Senator Mark Kirk
Amy Rule, wife of Chicago Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel

Speaking Of Politico Scenesters To Watch

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Tammy Haddad interviewed at the 2010 White House Correspondents Garden Brunch.

Confused as to why everyone around the Beltway aren’t complaining about why it’s almost 100 degrees? Because they’re going over Politico’s 50 Politicos To Watch.

As Bill Nichols explains, “we bring you a snapshot of the politicians, bureaucrats, administration officials, campaign gurus, military brass, fixers and party hounds you need to keep an eye on in the weeks and months ahead.” Among other influential D.C. staples are the restaurants and bars that run the town’s after-hour salons.

Of course, in a point of full disclosure: White House Correspondents Insider’s own co-founder and editor-in-chief Tammy Haddad is one of Politico’s Scenemakers to Watch.

PBS Ombudsman Condemns WHCA Dinner

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Has the celebrity aspect of the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner gone too far?

Michael Getler, the independent internal critic, otherwise known as the “ombudsman” for the Public Broadcasting System, believes that it has. In a recent Ombudsman Column, Getler calls the dinner an “embarrassment, just one more brick on the pile that buries confidence in the U.S. press.” The dinner happened to take place on the same weekend that marked the passing of two long-time PBS public affairs shows: Bill Moyers Journal and NOW with host David Brancaccio.

Getler called it “Journalism’s Passing Parade” – do you agree? Share your comments.

WHCD Private Obama Meeting with Governor Huntsman

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Who is happier: Former Speaker Newt Gingrich or former Governor Mitt Romney?

John McCain And Mitt Romney Meet In Salt Lake City

The White House Correspondents Dinner has dominated the headlines over the years with celebrity sightings, presidential roasts, and comedy routines.

This year President Obama used the cover of the dinner to have a private meeting with one of the top GOP contenders for the 2012 nomination, Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. Obama asked Huntsman to be Ambassador to China and Huntsman said yes. That is another blow to the GOP and another notch on the President’s 2012 belt.

Click here for Marc Ambinder’s analysis.

Pre-WHCD Garden Party a Hit

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Early estimates for the turnout at the Pre-WHCD Garden Brunch exceed 500, probably more, as a capacity crowd mingled and mixed in anticipation of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner tonight. The weather — always an issue in D.C. — cooperated, serving up a sunny, if slightly humid afternoon.

Guests included actors Val Kilmer, Christian Slater, Matthew Modine and Dana Delaney; Capt. Richard Phillips of the Alabama Maersk and his wife Andrea; Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano; former Clinton administration official Donna Shalala; David Gregory, Andrea Mitchell and Ann Curry of NBC News, and many others.

The party ran from Noon until 3:00 p.m., when guests started leaving to prepare for tonight’s big event.

Janet Napolitano and Donna Shalala

Janet Napolitano and Donna Shalala

Christian Slater

Christian Slater
Val Kilmer

Val Kilmer

Shelby Coffey and Ann Curry

Shelby Coffey and Ann Curry

The Captain Comes to Washington

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Captain Richard Phillips and his wife Andrea

Captain Richard Phillips and his wife Andrea

 

One of the most sought after guests for this year’s WHC Dinner, Captain Richard Phillips and his wife Andrea, made their way to Washington, D.C. on Friday. They received many invitations, but chose to attend with Bloomberg. The Phillips say they are “honored to be Bloomberg’s guests.”