Take Two
I managed to get into the White House this evening as part of the pool TV coverage of President Obama's first St. Patrick's day reception. This sounds more glamorous than it is. As a mere hack I could watch others drinking the White House's green champagne, but didn't get a chance to sip any myself.
By switching the reception from mornings to evenings, the Obama team is edging back towards the regime during the Clinton years. But I still harbour fond memories of past Clinton receptions when we were able to mingle (and drink!) on a par with all the other guests.
Working your way into the White House can be quite an effort. You spend lengthy periods in "lockdown" getting cleared by security agents. Then you make your way through to the briefing room, where the White House press corps cross question the President's spokesman. Then it's on to the main event.
Here's a bizarre fact. The reception was divided into two grand rooms, the East Room and, I think, the State Dining Room. The President delivered a speech to his guests in one room, and then, I'm told, delivered exactly the same speech to his guests in the other. St Patrick, St Patrick, so good they named him twice. In fact the President deployed exactly the same soundbites on the peace process which he had delivered in a series of speeches earlier in the day.
A White House staffer told me the reception was the biggest party there has been since President Obama took office. Because of the credit crunch he has been reluctant to be seen throwing many swanky occasions.
The President told his guests to stay as long as they wanted (a dangerous statement to make to such a gathering) but reminded them to avoid putting any lampshades on their heads, for fear of passing photographers.
Soon they will be heading home, bouyed up by the American expressions of support, but needing to face up to the tough economic and political realities back at home.
I'm 
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