White House Correspondents Dinner: Famous-For-DC

We are the world's last superpower. America, the great. We sit astride the globe like a mighty colossus. So, what went on at the WHCD Bloomberg After Party?

Wonkette, Mrs. Cox (2nd story on OldHag), who was charming on Howie Kurtz, leads us off:

"Line is not quite around the block. Jeff Bezos is behind us. Franken about five places behind us, swaying just slightly. Much discussion on whether or not IDs are being checked and whether or not everyone is being forced to stand in line or just those of us who may be famous-for-DC but who are not legitimately famous. Question answered:

- Olsen twins are swept by.
- Chris Matthews goes right on in.
- Joe Scarborough, talking to Marines, follows.
- Bezos takes this as his cue.
- John Podhoretz next, eliciting memorable exchange:

Franken: 'I'm telling Page Six!'
Podhoretz: 'I am Page Six!'
Franken: 'You can't handle Page Six!'
Franken proclaims his intention to get to the bottom of this. Marches forward. Returns, announces, 'They told me I could get in, but I'm gonna wait in line with you!'

"Truly, a man of the people."

Jon Fine of AdAge tells us:

"The crowd of well-wishers demanding snapshots with Internet gossip-and-links purveyor Matt Drudge -- outfitted for the occasion in a simple white hat he bragged cost $3.99 -- was substantially larger than those demanding snapshots with entertainer Wayne Newton. (Those convinced that Donald Trump has the most terrifying hair in the world would do well to avoid the improbable and elaborate structure that crowns Mr. Newton's skull.)"

"... Newsweek columnist Howard Fineman end-running an entire receiving line to enter Newsweek's pre-dinner reception -- an egregious offense of party etiquette ameliorated slightly by the fact he had Meg Ryan on one arm."

Next, we have Hank Steuver of the Washington Post:

"Nix the moment where Henry Kissinger, older than ever, declines, with actual horror in his voice, the opportunity to speak to Lyndon LaRouche. (Who, it happens, told us: 'Keep out of mischief, unless you enjoy it.' Oh, that lovable LaRouche.)"

"But Ben Affleck looked exactly like Ben Affleck, and his draw was understandably magnetic. He was large-headed, and available, out on the crowded smoking yard in back, surrounded by all these young Republican women (he told one of them he thinks Republican girls are better looking than the rest, and she told us, and we tell you). Vanessa Kerry, daughter of, took his cigarette out of his hand and threw it on the ground, as a health admonition. Later Affleck got involved in a heated debate about the estate tax."

Danna Harman of the Christian Science Monitor:

"Serena Williams, awesome enough in her tennis clothes, was in an even more eye-catching emerald number."

And, finally Elizabeth Bumiller of the NY Times:

"'It's become like everything else,' said Christopher Buckley, the comic novelist and a former speechwriter for Mr. Bush's father. 'It's become the Super Bowl.'"

Basta!