Washington’s Glitzy Debut of ‘Game Change’ (Paul Ryan in attendance)

Fishbowl DC ^ | 3-9-2012 | Betsy Rothstein

[Kolath]

HBO’s Game Change came to Washington last night, perhaps in more ways than one. Politicians, their aides and reporters came together last night at the Newseum for a star-studded evening to celebrate the now famed book by NY Mag’s John Heilemann and TIME‘s Mark Halperin. On hand was Julianne Moore, who plays former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, and producer Tom Hanks.

Spotted in the crowd… (see below)

Unity? Big tent? Ryan got some explaining to do.

[Kolath]

Guests were a mix of media such as Politico‘s Executive Jim VandeHei and his nicer half (just joking) wife, Autumn, Patrick Gavin, Kim Kingsley and Mike Allen. We spotted NYT‘s Mark Leibovich, NBC’s Luke Russert, WaPo’s Ed O’Keefe and Jonathan Capehart. Others: CNN’s Dana Bash (who appeared as herself in the movie), as did her colleague Gloria Borger, Bloomberg’s Margaret Carlson, The Daily Caller’s Nick Ballasy, GOP Consultant Kevin Madden, and GOP media consultant Ron Bonjean and wife, Sara (a.k.a. the party hoppers), The Hill‘s Emily Goodin, publicist Courtney Cohen, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) Washington Examiner‘s Nikki Schwab, Roll Call‘s Warren Rojas, and publicist/Hollywood on the Potomac blogger Janet Donovan. Both US Weekly and People had reporters and/or camera people on hand. There were also German, Chinese and Japanese TV stations.

[the invisib1e hand]

umm, maybe because it is a game change.

[smoothsailing]

published March 9, 2012.

I suppose there’s a point to this, something along the line that Ryan is a stinking rotten RINO because he went to a movie.

Lame.

[Kolath]

No, it’s to point out that attending that event shows a lack of class and judgement. Does his attendance show “big tent” or he trying to fit into the DC crowd.

I remember in the past when we were told to “shut up” and march in step like good little robots. No thanks...that’s why I joined the Tea Party.

I’ll vote for Romney because the alternative is worse but I still hold the right to voice my displeasure when a candidate does something that looks bad.

[Misterioso]

I’ll vote for Romney because the alternative is worse but I still hold the right to voice my displeasure when a candidate does something that looks bad.

Free speech? Ain't it great?

[smoothsailing]

Now that you’ve expressed your displeasure, you may want to extend it to Jason Materra. He was there too. Double down on petty.

[Kolath]

Jason Materra isn’t on the ticket. Perhaps you can post something on FR but it would come off as “Well, well, see....see, the OTHER GUY did it too.”

Even if Romney wins, the rank-and-file has a right to voice its displeasure, burn phone lines and apply heat (ie: immigration vote of 2007, Harriet Miers, etc).

Rush said it best, “We’ll have to push Romney across the finish line then push him to the right while in office.”

Pleasant words and saying “tut-tut, pish-posh” won’t cut it.

Think of it as a test. This one is just a blip, but a marker on how R&R can work with the rank-and-file. If they can’t handle the small stuff, by God, how will they handle the big boys?

Like I said previously, I’ll vote for Romney but as a voter I reserve the right to critique.

[marstegreg]

Keep your friends close, Keep your enemies closer.