"Nothing inspires Democrats like the Barack Obama swagger — the supreme self-confidence on stage, the self-certainty in private.So nothing inspires more angst than when that same Obama stumbles, as he has leaving the gate in 2012. That’s the unmistakable reality for Democrats since Obama officially launched his re-election campaign three weeks ago. Obama, not Mitt Romney, is the one with the muddled message — and the one who often comes across as baldly political. Obama, not Romney, is the one facing blowback from his own party on the central issue of the campaign so far – Romney’s history with Bain Capital. And most remarkably, Obama, not Romney, is the one falling behind in fundraising." (Politico)
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""On a Monday, May 21, The Frick Collection welcomed a large number of high-level members to its annual "thank you" black-tie event, the Spring Party. The nearly 250 supporters in attendance were able to enjoy the Frick lit for evening on perhaps its most elegant night of the year. A jazz quartet greeted folks just inside the door, keeping the Reception Hall livelier than ever ... and the galleries were open, including the new Portico Gallery, which looks out on the Fifth Avenue Garden (one conspicuous, central room was not: the Oval Gallery, where as we speak, the curators are installing the next decorative arts show Gold, Jasper, and Carnelian: Johann Christian Neuber at the Saxon Court.) A critical mass of dancers found one of the most loved swing bands in NYC holding court in the Music Room (George Gee's "Jump Jivin' Wailers") ... and it was amazing to watch a wide swath of guests respond to 1930's Benny Goodman hit "Sing, Sing, Sing" (which is pretty energetic, I must say) as much as to Lady Gaga and the hits of today, all of which were part of the mix."
"My moment of glory came and went in a jiffy. It was actually a whole afternoon of filming onboard without a single retake, temper tantrum, or even the planned fight between Alec Baldwin and yours truly. The name of the movie is Seduced & Abandoned, and it has nothing to do with the Italian golden oldie of long ago. It is an original nonfiction story—the great Greek thespian Taki plays himself—of seeking funds for a movie among the Cannes Film Festival’s labyrinthine circus. Alec and James Toback also play themselves, as does producer Michael Mailer. I had prepped for a totally different scenario where Alec and I would fight for real on the deck and both crash into the sea. This is what Michael had led me to believe. The morning of the shoot before the crew came onboard Bushido, I did my stretching and some shadow-boxing for at least ten minutes to be ready. Sir Roger Moore sent an email imploring me to fake the fight, as real brawls look phony and vice versa, “and reapplying the makeup after every dive into the sea will take up most of the day. Once the cameras were installed and Alec, Jimmy, Michael, and I sat down to lunch on deck, I finally began to relax. The wine flowed and I began jabbering away as I have a tendency to do, and the cameras rolled and rolled. I do not know how much of Taki will end up on the cutting-room floor. Alec Baldwin turned out to be as nice and polite a person as he’s handsome and well-read. He’s the exact opposite of that disgusting lowlife Brett Ratner, a so-called director whose manners are as ugly as he is, and he’s very, very ugly." (Taki)
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