Inside the Beltway: White House Correspondents Dinner hubbub begins

NEWS AND OPINION:

Listen: Chatter and restless hubbub over the upcoming White House Correspondents Dinner can be heard in the nation’s capital. It will soon drown out even the loudest caterwaul on Capitol Hill. The pre-pre-parties begin Thursday, heralding the big event on Saturday which includes 3,000 ’correspondents’ and one president. But go ahead. Pay attention to the 20 or so big name parties, which despite their bustle are fragile and short-lived. These fetes are ethereal in nature and blossom and wither within hours as their brand-friendly sponsors and organizers scramble to warrant some sassy buzz on social media or in news coverage. Even the almighty dinner itself soon fades from memory, a testimony to the nature of Washington, where politics, pomp and power ultimately trump celebrity hullabaloo.

Which brings us to the first of the celebrations on Thursday evening — such as the White House Correspondents’ Weekend Kickoff Party, organized by Rock the Vote and staged at Blind Whino, an arts and event space in a former Baptist church not all that far from the White House. Though the pulsating event promotes voter engagement, the main draw is New York-based DJ Shiftee, a Harvard-educated “turntableist,” who has won a number of global championships in the complicated world of dance music meistering. The food will be catered by STK — a steak house — and among the dainties: octopus ceviche, beef tartare. foie gras mousse, beets and boucheron, and tuna apple crudo. Hipster-friendly food trucks will also be present, plus libations by Green Hat Gin and Dreaming Tree Wines — this owned by musician Dave Matthews.

“The correspondent’s weekend celebration will highlight the organization’s efforts to encourage youth participation in local and national elections,” the group solemnly advises.

Also on Thursday: Tumblrs’ “Bytes & Bylines” party for the tech and media crowd at L2, a members-only lounge in Georgetown with minimalist decor, exposed brick and stone plus dramatic lighting. These are but two big name parties in a typical field of 20 that unfold on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Then there’s also Monday, attended by everyone — and the ultimate reality check.

AMERICA THE ADMIRED

New findings of note for the blame-America-first crowd:

“Russia in 2014 earned the lowest approval ratings globally for the eighth consecutive year and posted the highest disapproval ratings it has received to date. U.S. leadership received the highest approval rating in the world, with the median 45 percent approval topping ratings of the leadership of the European Union, Germany, Russia and China — as it has most years since 2009,” reports Gallup analyst Jon Clifton.

The findings were based on a Gallup World Poll of 21,000 people in 21 nations, released Wednesday.

MR. AILES’ RATIONALE

“Under the guise of comedy, he can do anything. He’s figured out a way to win. But you don’t invite a guy like that in-house to pick his ammunition and shoot you with it.”

— Roger Ailes, on why Fox News will never hire comedian-fake newsman Jon Stewart, to The Hollywood Reporter.

MCCAIN AND FEINSTEIN - TOGETHER

A kindly moment in the U.S. Capitol of note: Sens. John McCain and Dianne Feinstein joined forces on Capitol Hill, united in spirit and intent for Childhelp, a national non-profit charity dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse. The Arizona Republican and California Democrat were the co-chairs for Childhelp National Day of Hope Congressional Luncheon, a gathering to recognize the heroes in the field, and talk up productive legislation.

The proverbial good time had by all; find the group here: ChildHelp.org

THE EX-IM QUESTION

They made their point clear in a open letter: 56 free-market organizations — from Americans for Prosperity to Citizens Against Government Waste — have spoken out against reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank. “By paying foreign companies to buy American exports, the Export-Import Bank tilts the playing field away from mid-sized and small businesses in favor of large, politically connected corporations,” the coalition says, noting that the Ex-Im does not use “fair-value accounting” which could ultimately cost tax payers $2 billion.

“America deserves an international trade policy that is based on free market mechanisms, not paying foreign companies to buy exports from large corporations with political connections,” the organizations conclude.

Sen. Marco Rubio agrees with them, and will join Americans for Prosperity CEO Luke Hilgemann and vice president Brent Gardner for a press call on Thursday, followed by a forum in May. It’s fantastically complicated, however. The Ex-Im’s annual conference gets underway Thursday as well, while its charter expires June 30. Fans and foes alike are chiming in about its future.

And as a gesture of fair play: “The Export-Import Bank of the United States is an independent, self-sustaining agency with an 80-year record of supporting U.S. jobs by financing the export of American goods and services,” the organization says in it mission statement. Find them here: ExIm.gov

SEND THEM A THANK-YOU NOTE

“Post 9/11 investigations and reviews proposed sweeping changes in the Intelligence Community, resulting in Congressional passage of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. The IRTPA created the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to oversee the 17-member U.S. Intelligence Community and improve information sharing, promote a strategic, unified direction, and lead intelligence integration,” reports the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, now quietly marking its 10th anniversary. The “members” here include the CIA, FBI, NSA, Dept. of Homeland Security and the Defense Intelligence Agency, incidentally.

“On February 17, 2005, President George W. Bush nominated then U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, John Negroponte as the first Director of National Intelligence; he was sworn in April 21 and the new office he began operations at precisely 7 a.m. on April 22, 2005. The directors to follow: John M. (“Mike”) McConnell (Vice Adm., USN Ret.); Dennis Blair (Adm., USN Ret.); and James R. Clapper (Lt. Gen., USAF Ret.), who became the current director in 2010.

“I’m confident the next 10 years of integrated work will be even more successful as we continue to tap into the resources of our whole community and keep our nation’s leaders informed. I want to thank the dedicated men and women of the Intelligence Community, who helped build the foundation and grow capabilities needed to meet the national security mission,” says Mr. Clapper.

POLL DU JOUR

• 17 percent of Republicans would “seriously consider” Sen. Rand Paul for president in 2016; 41 percent “might consider him”, 33 percent “would never consider him,” 9 percent are unsure.

• 16 percent would seriously consider Gov. Scott Walker for president; 33 percent might consider him, 26 percent would never consider him; 25 percent are unsure.

• 15 percent would seriously consider Sen. Ted Cruz; 35 percent might consider him, 26 percent would never consider him; 25 percent are unsure.

• 15 percent would seriously consider Ben Carson; 31 percent might consider him, 30 percent would never consider him; 24 percent are unsure.

• 15 percent would seriously consider Mike Huckabee; 40 percent might consider him, 36 percent would never consider him; 9 percent are unsure.

From A Bloomberg News poll of 655 self-identified Republicans conducted April 6-8 and released Wednesday.

• Jubilation and dismal sighs to jharper@washingtontimes.com.