Half-baked Barbara (Hillary Clinton & Mary Landrieu no-shows @ spina bifida fundraiser)

Washington Times ^ | 10/07/05 | John McCaslin

[Libloather]

Half-baked Barbara
By John McCaslin
October 7, 2005

It's not easy being the master of ceremonies for a roast when half of the roasters don't show up.

Ask political commentator Mark Shields, who found himself in that uncomfortable position Wednesday evening as the Spina Bifida Association attempted to put TV personality Barbara Walters in the "hot seat" at the Hyatt Regency Washington.

"This is more like a bake-off," a visibly embarrassed Mrs. Walters said after the roasting, expressing disappointment that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and fellow roaster Sen. Mary L. Landrieu of Louisiana were no-shows.

As it was, the two remaining roasters — Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy Karen Hughes and ABC newsman Sam Donaldson — went easy on Mrs. Walters, while last-second stand-in Mary Matalin, who was in the audience as Mrs. Hughes' guest, tried to read from Mrs. Landrieu's prepared remarks.

It got even worse at the close of the evening when organizers quickly dragged wires and cords on stage, hoping to patch through Mrs. Clinton by telephone, but to no avail. (Mrs. Clinton and Mrs. Landrieu were said to be "detained" by official Senate duties.)

Nevertheless, the annual fundraising event — which had in the audience Washington power couples Ben Bradlee and Sally Quinn and Alan Greenspan and Andrea Mitchell — accomplished its goal of raising awareness of the most common permanently disabling birth defect in this country.

[Howlin]

I am dead serious when I say this: this very well could cost Hillary any hope she has of the presidency; this is THE event of the year EVERY year in D.C.

And it is sponsored by Al Hunt and Judy Woodruff; their child has spina bidifa. NOBODY says no to them. Nobody.

This is HUGE.

[drt1]

I think Mitchell won a raffle prize - A Porche Boxter. Unfortunately her husband, Greenspan, doesn't drive (And this guy is raising interest rates so we won't buy too much gasoline! WTF)

Now that these fat cats have gotten their face time and shown us their 'Compassion' and charity they can go back to what most of them do so well - Creating chaos and driving the Middle Class to drink.

[VRWCTexan]

Can anyone confirm that the US Senate was even in session during this event...?

[ladyinred]

I wasn't aware of this Howlin, but don't you think they will forgive Hillary? I can't imagine Judy not fawning all over her. But I like what you said better! :-)

[Txsleuth]

You ARE serious aren't you???

I can tell you this much...I was watching C-span Wednesday night...there wasn't anything that Clinton and Landrieu HAD to be there for...

Landrieu spent most of Thursday and Thursday night standing on the Senate floor, making a fool of herself, begging for money...

I think she also did that on Wednesday night...but this was long after any votes were being taken...and she could have gone...

When do you ever hear of these politicians turning down a chance to speak at glitzy fundraisers with celebrities???

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

'Rule-making for others,
...Rule-breaking for herself' =

...HILLARY's Lifetime M.O.


...per Political Columnist extraordinaire MICHAEL BARONE in U.S. News & World Report-1999

.

[digger48]

Maybe Hillary and Mary were trying out cigars

[Moonman62]

I'm truly shocked. The limousine liberals always show up to flash cash and compassion in the spot light.

I thougt it was only when it's somebody else's cash.

[Txsleuth]

I just went back and looked at the Senate thread from Wednesday....the Senate was voting on McCain's stupid amendment giving the terrorists more rights than our military...at about 8:30 or so MY time...so that would have been 9:30 Eastern time...

So...I guess they were doing Senate business...but, Landrieu then stood up on the floor until about midnight, by herself bemoaning the money being spent on the defense bill, instead of spending more money in LA.

[benjaminjjones]

raising awareness

I guess it worked. I'd heard of it, but never really looked it up. Now I know what Spina Bifida is, thanks to Hilterly and Landrieu.

[Txsleuth]

They said Fox News tonight, that by law, Greenspan can't accept a gift over $50 I think...

so, they gave back the car....poor Andrea.

[InvisibleChurch]

That's leadership!

[benjaminjjones]

trying out cigars

LOL! Hitlery might just go for Landrieu's little baby face.

I wouldn't think Landrieu would go that way, unless it involved aquiring political power or favors...Oh, nevermind, what was I thinking?

[drt1]

Yeah, I heard it there as well. What is really scary is that Greenspan doesn't drive yet he is charged with making decisions that impact us all in our daily, normal, ordinary lives yet he is so obviously living in a style so divorced from the consequences of his actions. I suggest he get a license, buy his own car and gas and take a trip to the Mall.

[Rummyfan]

"This is more like a bake-off," a visibly embarrassed Mrs. Walters said after the roasting, expressing disappointment that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and fellow roaster Sen. Mary L. Landrieu of Louisiana were no-shows.

I guess Ba-ba Wawa knows she's officially over now when the players Clinton and Moon-Unit Landrieu don't even bother to show up!