CarolJoynt.com

SUSAN PAGE: At The Q&A Cafe on Tuesday November 12. Please Join Us

Coming to The Q&A Cafe on Tuesday, November 12: USA Today's chief Washington correspondent, Susan Page. Susan is also biographer of former First Lady Barbara Bush. Her next book will be a biography of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. She's a regular on the Sunday shows and cable TV, and overall a well respected and well liked chronicler of all things Washington. Please join us:

What: A Q&A Cafe TV show taping with lunch served

When: Tuesday November 12, noon to 1 pm.

Where: The George Town Club, 1530 Wisconsin Avenue NW, at Volta

How: Call Joe Pikovsky at The George Town Club to book at seat. 202-333-9330

How Much: $35, all inclusive of lunch, soft drinks and dessert from Georgetown Cupcake. 

The Q&A Cafe is now in its 18th year, with more than 500 notable individuals having appeared for long-form interviews. It airs at 8pm each Friday on DC Cable, channel 16. Up next, Tuesday, December 10, RdV Vineyard founder and winemaker Rutger de Vink. 

Howard Fineman: Coming to The Q&A Cafe Friday, March 1

Our next Q&A Cafe is an interview with veteran Washington political journalist Howard Fineman. The date is Friday, March 1, the location the George Town Club, the time NOON, and please make a reservation to join us. The contact for that is Joe Pikovsky at the GTC, 202-333-9330, or shoot him an email, Joe.

This will be Howard's third appearance at The Q&A Cafe. His first was when we were at Nathans, his second when we were based at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, and so its only right he hits our current home, the GTC.
Needless to say, much to discuss. Expect a good political conversation with a reporter and analyst who has been covering Washington politics since the Founding Fathers. He was raised in Pittsburgh, began his career in Louisville, KY with the Courier-Journal, and  made Washington his home through a long career with Newsweek and also as global editor of Huffington Post. 

As always, lunch is included as well as dessert from Georgetown Cupcake. 

 

It's Summer, The (Adult) Children Are Home

As you can probably tell it's embarassing to him ("hey, pose for a photo with your Mom"), but here I am out tonight with my darling son, Spencer, about to arrive at a party hosted by our friend Lyndon Boozer at the Library of Congress. Spencer indulges me by coming to some of these things -- and only some -- but I sometimes press because his GF, Katherine Davis, is in town from Houston and I think she likes to see the sights and sample the random perks. (In truth, they'd rather be in Shaw, at The Yards, or on 14th Street...and I can't blame them.).

The thrill for me was to show them the balcony view of the Reading Room, one of the capital's great and awe-inspiring spaces. 

Here are Spencer and Kate, on the balcony overlooking the Reading Room. And, below, a look up at the gorgeous ceiling, at twilight.

We also stopped by Rose's Luxury for a drink at the upstairs bar. Owner Aaron Silverman said that most nights now the wait for a table is down to one hour from the high water mark of 2-3 hours. If you haven't been, give it a try because the experience is big. One way to do it is stop by at, say 6 or 6:30, put your name down, and then take a walk in the Marine Barracks neighborhood while the time flies by before your table becomes available. I prefer reservations, personally, but that's not the way Aaron does it and its his place!

Hanging out with Vice President Joe Biden

We weren't exactly "hanging out" but Vice President Joe Biden and I (and a few hundred others) were at the same party. Since I always have my camera at parties (private or public) I got near to try to get a photo of him with my friend Dale Leibach, who was the party's co-host. Biden saw me, stopped what he was doing, reached out, took my camera, handed it to a staffer and then posed with me. Nice of him. My son was impressed. I ran it through percolator. 

I love playing with photo apps. 

The party was to celebrate the merger of Dale's DC-based public affairs company, Prism, with the Boston-based Rasky Baerlein. Some former key Biden staffers are at Rasky Baerlein. The party was at Central on Pennsylvania Avenue. They took over the whole restaurant. So, good food and drinks. 

In the March issue of Washingtonian, the monthly Behind The Scenes feature I write takes readers inside the gorgeous ceremonial office of the Vice President at the EEOB. Check it out. 

Here's Dale with Biden and later Ed Markey. Both elected officials stayed for a while. 

How Republicans & Independents Can Vote In The DC Democratic Primary

In the DC mayor's race there's only one vote that counts and that is what happens at the polls in the Democratic primary on April 1. The winner of that vote will be the city's mayor. But what if you are a Republican or Independent who wants to have a say? You're out of luck unless you do this: become a Democrat for a month. It's possible, and that was one of the topics at a fundraiser held for Jack Evans tonight in Georgetown. The folks who were there were largely Democrats, but there were a few dissident Republicans and Independents in the mix. (My own self, for example).

As Jack explained the process his staff handed out a form that allows for changing one's party affiliation (the fine print in a routine voter application form). Okay, and then what, they wanted to know? After you vote you fill out another form and revert back, if you want to revert back. It takes a month to be processed, which is why Jack and his staff urged potential converts to get it done no later than March 1.

Jack said this switch to the Democratic party could make the difference in the primary election, which he said will likely see a turnout of only about 100,000 voters. "Thirty thousand votes could win the race," he said. I don't even want to begin to rant about how pathetic it will be if only that few Democratic voters determine our city's forward path. Come on, people. Go to the polls!

THE NEXT Q&A CAFE IS NOV. 6 - MARK PLOTKIN: Politics; DMV & Beyond

Who in Washington doesn't love a good political discussion? And what better time than immediately after the next round of elections which, among other races, will decide the next governor of Virginia. Interestingly, both candidates, according to my Washingtonian colleague Ben Freed, are loathed by voters. And a year hence, Washington will choose a mayor, and Maryland a governor, and there will be mid-terms across the land.

So I've asked Mark Plotkin to come in for a Q&A Cafe on November 6 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Georgetown. Mark may be cocky and controversial but he's also a sure fire political expert, especially about the politics of DC, Maryland and Virginia. He's currently the political analyst for Fox 5 and in the past performed the same role for WTOP and WAMU.

As always, please make your reservations directly with the Ritz by phoning (202-912-4122, 202-912-4121) or send an email to Allen Smith. 

Seating is at noon, the taping will run from approximately 12:15 to 1:30. Lunch is served. The price is $35, all inclusive of food and soft beverages, tax and tip. A good meal, a good time, and a whole lot of politics to chew on.

Jack Evans Announces For DC Mayor; Promises High Ethical Standard

Outside Le Diplomate restaurant at 14th and Q Streets, Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans on Saturday announced he is a candidate for DC mayor. In his speech he hit on themes that included fiscal responsibility, high ethical standards, jobs, diversity, gay rights, statehood. He used the transformation of the 14th Street corridor from blight to fashionable as an example of the vision he has for neighborhoods throughout the city.  One pol in the crowd said, "If the only requirement was being organized, Jack would be president. I've been to a lot of these candidate announcements in DC over the years. He's the only one to show up on time."

Evans was joined by his wife, Michelle, and their children, including his triplets, who -- the same week as his announcement -- added to the family excitement by all getting their drivers' licenses. 

We'll have more at Washingtonian on Monday. For now, here's what it looked like:

 

In red, Jack's chief of staff, Schannette Grant.

HILLARY CLINTON HAS LEFT THE BUILDING

HRC, ENJOYING HERSELF DURING A 2009 EVENT AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT

The publishers of  the New York Social Diary like it when I send them something about an interesting Washington party or two, but they especially like it when the column is about what's going on here in a more "mood of the city" fashion. What are people talking about? Thinking about? So, today they publish a column called Hillary Clinton has Left The Building. It's the most interesting talk I hear: what will Hillary do? Where will she go? Will she run?  We don't know, but I do my best to give context to the mystery. Of course, there's also two parties and a few thoughts on the paintings of George W. Bush. 

INTERVIEW WITH DC MAYOR VINCENT GRAY AT Q&A CAFE

 

Here's the most recent episode of The Q&A Cafe, my interview with DC Mayor Vincent Gray. Note the comments about CFO Natwar Ghandi, who shortly thereafter handed in his resignation. Note also the comments about whether Gray plans to run for re-election, and reaction to his potential running mates. There's nuance here. And, yes, we discuss the whole DOJ investigation, too. So, there's a lot. 

DC'S $415 MILLION BUDGET SURPLUS: TOPIC "A" AT TUESDAY'S Q&A CAFE

The cat's out of the bag. That cat being the announcement Mayor Vincent Gray planned to make tomorrow in our interview at The Q&A Cafe: DC has a $415 million budget surplus from 2012. It will be Topic A in our interview, which begins approximately 12:15 at the Ritz Carlton Georgetown. Please join us. And please, between now and then, send me your suggestions how the city should use the money. Spend it? Save it? Invest it? Truth is, the law may determine its fate. But why not discuss? Speculation is a lot of the money comes from photo enforcement tickets, the sizable inheritance tax paid by a Georgetown woman's estate, commercial property tax and a few other sources.

Again, what do you think?

DOES PRESIDENT OBAMA OWE DC A CHANCE AT STATEHOOD?

Where has President Obama been for the last four years on behalf of statehood for the city where he lives most of the time? A lot of people would tell you "in hiding." Sure, it's not his hometown, but after a first term here he must notice that it's a real American city with a citizenry denied the privileges that belong to all other Americans: elected representatives in the House and Senate who have votes that count. 

For the second term, Obama put the "Taxation Without Representation" license plate on his armored car, but is that as far as it will go? This will be one of the main topics we discuss on Tuesday with Mayor Vincent Gray at The Q&A Cafe. Seating begins at noon at the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, the interview will begin between 12:15 and 12:30, and it will be wrapped up by 1:15. The fee is $38, which covers food, soft beverages, tax and tip. For reservations please send an email or phone Esmaralda Prifold at the Ritz. 202.912.4122.

Here's Harry Jaffe's take on the statehood issue for Washingtonian. 

MAYOR GRAY HAS AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Mayor Vincent Gray told me Sunday night at an inauguration party that he has an important news-making announcement which he'll discuss when I interview him next week at The Q&A Cafe. So, please make a reservation to be there. Smiling, he told me it is positive news, but he did not go into the details. He did say he hopes DC Cable will do a quick turn around to air the show, to which I said, "that's up to you. It's your channel." He laughed.

The Q&A Cafe tapes next Tuesday, January 29, at the Ritz Carlton Georgetown Hotel.  We begin seating at noon and generally wrap by 1:15. The fee is only $38, and that includes all food, soft beverages, tax and tip. For reservations, please email or phone Esmaralda Prifold  202-912-4121.

 

Richard Nixon's 100th Birthday Party

HARRY SHEARER AND ED NIXON

Only in Washington. Ed Nixon, Richard Nixon's younger brother, at the Mayflower Hotel bar with Harry Shearer, who portrays Nixon in a British television production, "Nixon's The One." Shot this after we attended Richard Nixon's 100th birthday party. A dear friend, Harry traveled to DC from Santa Monica to be my date for the occasion. It was a reunion of the Nixon Administration, or at least those who are still with us. Harry and I ended up in the Mayflower Bar with Nixon, Steve Bull, Steve's wife, former Navy Secretary John Lehman and others from that time. Oh, what a night. 

Fred Thompson and Harry Shearer, the only two professional actors at the dinner, "professional" being the relevant world. Fred's a long-time friend, and a sports fan, and so we talked RGIII. What he had to say will be on washingtonian.com tomorrow. 

Henry Kissinger at the pre-dinner cocktail party. Later, after he ended the conversation,  I asked him who he had been talking to. He said, "my former secretary." Kinda sweet. When I wanted to talk some more, he said, "walk with me." And I did, because it's one of the great "I'm in charge" lines. I then used it twice myself over the course of the evening. "Walk with me," and they did. 

Me in My Old Gringo's From Allens in Austin (w/ a few others)

Speaker of the House John Boehner, former President George W. Bush, Laura Bush, me in my Old Gringo's, and former President Bill Clinton, at an Evening of Remembrance to benefit the Flight 93 Memorial. This photo, which just arrived today, was taken last spring. I'd just returned to DC from a week in Austin -- thus the tan and boots, which both presidents complimented. I'd had myself a good time at marvelous Allens Boots.

One of those only-in-Washington kind of photos. It's a little fuzzy because it is an iPhone photo of the old-school real photo! Seemed like the right thing to post at the end of a week that began with a presidential election. 

The Future

The voting sticker I chose today at my polling place in Georgetown. It was one of the options, the other, of course, being in English. This may be the future of American politics. For today, congratulations to the 2012 winner, President Barack Obama.

I went to three parties, each a mix of players, power brokers and insiders. The mood was contained optimism that grew into unbridled joy and relief.

Earlier in the day, GOP friends had texted to say they were not expecting a good night. We will likely later learn that those close to the campaigns new the trend early on in the day.  

A Chris Rock #Election2012 Bright Spot

 

My #Debate Twitter Feed, the #HorsesandBayonets Edition

Maybe you follow me on Twitter and then, again, maybe you don't. If you don't, you should. I tweet more than I post here or on FB. This is what it looked like tonight on my Twitter feed. I did get in a good 90 minute workout and now the debates are over until four years from now. What now, America?

--------

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

...and San Francisco is up by 7 in the 7th.

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

I'm loath to use the word, but Max's expression is insipid. Plain and simple. He's lost the will to faux emote.

 

Kathy Griffin ‏@kathygriffin

Did I just catch Sgt. Brody in the audience texting Abu Nazir? Carrie?? Saul??

  Retweeted by caroljoynt

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

Schieffer and Lehrer not up to it. Managing men in debate heat is clearly a woman skill. We do it all the time. #debate

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

Obama is impressed with how well Max did his Pakistan homework.#debate

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

Romney looking tired, wishing it was over, pained. #debate

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

Romney's flag lapel pin is GOP version of "mine's bigger than yours." True patriots don't need 'em, and don't need big ones. Fail.

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

@ariashe funny. now #TeamWTOP is including Obama. hmmm

 

Gawker ‏@Gawker

RT @Deadspin: A reminder of just how Mitt Romney ran the Olympics: http://deadspin.com/5945741/ 

  Retweeted by caroljoynt

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

Go, BO! #debate

John Heilemann ‏@jheil

Sheldon Adelson choking on a pretzel now.

 

Bill Maher ‏@billmaher

Mitt's entire debate strategy: What he just said, but from a white guy

 

Richard Lawson ‏@rilaws

Thank god everyone in the Middle East is asleep right now.

 

Richard Lawson ‏@rilaws

To be fair, Romney is right that we need more armed whirligigs stationed as close as possible to fearsome Siam.

 

Lydia DePillis ‏@lydiadepillis

Holy shit. Obama just dropped an aircraft carrier on romney's head.

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

Schieffer heard all of us and has responded accordingly. #debate

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

What we're learning tonight is only the women can control a presidential debate! #debate @candycrowley @martharaddatz

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

Schieffer! Get it back on subject. #debate

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

@ariashe the feed just more Romney than Obama. Hey, I'm#TeamWTOP, so I set a high bar for you guys.

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

Uh oh. We've gone from Mideast not to Eurozone but back to domestic policy. I guess that means sit ups! #debate

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

@JohnDonvan @gothamson1 john, you're not stupid

Ken Rudin ‏@kenrudin

I can't wait for the next debate, which is going to be about foreign policy.

  

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

@ariashe i so know, but the debate feed feels skewed GOP. all 4 debates.

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

@ariashe hey ari

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

When did @WTOP go right? Is this wanting to be @WMAL? Don't. You're better.

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

The @cnn graph is cheap. They could make it much better. Come into the new century.

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

Meanwhile, San Francisco ripping up the NL pennant race. Next year it will be @nationals

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

One guy looks like puffed wheat and the other looks incredulous.#debate

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

You can have your drinking games. I'm doing free weights w/ the Mideast. Will switch to yoga/pilates for the Eurozone. #debate

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

I have made a pact with myself: to work out for the entire debate. That will make it all okay.

caroljoynt ‏@caroljoynt

Why isn't @JohnDonvan hosting this debate? They'll learn....

Marion Barry's News-Making Interview at The Q&A Cafe on YouTube

Here is DC Council Member and former Mayor Marion Barry with me at the Ritz Carlton Georgetown Hotel after finishing our 45 minute interview. It aired tonight on DCN/Channel 16. It also made a lot of news when it was taped last week. So, please check it out. Here's the YouTube clib below:

 

Washington Gets What It Craves

HE'S AMAZING: ROBERT GRIFFIN III

Yesterday's losses aside, Washington is at the threshold of something wonderful: becoming a legit sports town. It's all happening and will likely get better and better. It's the subject of a commentary I wrote for today's edition of New York Social Diary

Marion Barry Jr - At The Q&A Cafe TODAY at Noon

Who better to talk to about the state of political affairs in Washington, DC, than the city's most enduring, "been there, done that," politician, Council Member and former mayor Marion Barry Jr? He'll be the guest at The Q&A Cafe at noon TODAY. This will be a little more than a week after the council reconvenes for its fall legislative session. If you remember, when the Council met in the spring and chose Phil Mendelson to replace disgraced council chairman Kwame Brown, the meeting was contentious. Barry called DC "the laughingstock of the nation." At The Q&A Cafe, we'll discuss that and more, including what Barry sees as his "legacy."

The Q&A Cafe tapes at the Ritz Carlton Georgetown Hotel. For reservations please call 202.912.4110 or email Esmaralda Prifold Seating begins at noon, lunch is served and the all inclusive fee is $35.

Note: the program is broadcast on the District Cable Network (Channel 16) every Friday at 8 o'clock in the evening and at other times during the week. It is also on YouTube.

Your Good Time Secret Service Pop Quiz

MITT ROMNEY AND BARACK OBAMA: WE KNOW THEM BY THEIR GIVEN NAMES, THE SECRET SERVICE USE CODE

It's that time of year again, when all the presidential level candidates, and their spouses, get code names to be used by the Secret Service. Now, in truth, those in office already have these code names, as do their high level staff, but added to the roster are the challengers. We couldn't resist making a pop quiz, which is posted on The Washingtonian. Some of you may already know the answers - so, no spoilers - but take the quiz and have fun. Secret Service Pop Quiz. 

This Is A DC Winner

P STREET IN GEORGETOWN

Something to do this weekend: come to Georgetown to see the beautiful work done on P and O Streets, west of Wisconsin Avenue, where the city has completed renovating and restoring the cobbled streets, keeping the old trolly tracks. Many people get credit for this project, but I particularly remember a decade or so ago, at an ANC meeting, hearing then DC Transportation chief Dan Tangherlini address the issue for the first time. The goals, he said, were to restore the streets and preserve the historic integrity of tracks. There were many debates that followed - about whether to keep the tracks or lose the tracks - but in Georgetown there's always a dedication to preserving what's been here. And it got done. 

A central player in the restoration project was Tim Downs, and recently Mayor Vincent Gray and other city leaders came to Georgetown to honor him - right outside his home. Bill and his wife, Barbara, are First Citizens of the village, caring and dedicated. Back at about the same time that Tangherlini was at DDot, Barbara Downs was chair of the Citizens Association of Georgetown. She is still one of the board's directors.

O STREET IN GEORGETOWN

Mayor Gray declared August 16th "Tim Downs Day."

I regret I don't have a photo of the mess O and P Streets were before the restoration. The cobblestones were horribly uneven, the tracks jutted up, real tire-busters, and a challenge for drivers. 

There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony in the next month, I'm told ... but you don't need to wait for that. The streets are there to admire now. If only the whole village had these same handsome cobblestones ...

All On The Same Flight? Obama, Romney and Ryan?

It was the virgin flight of new Virgin America non-stop service between DCA and SFO. Of course, there were Obama and Romney impersonators on the flight. (Aren't there always in an election year). But here's the best part, a regular passenger, who coincidentally took the flight, looked like a clone of Paul Ryan ... at least in our eyes. 

Am I right or am I right? Dude was totally surprised, but was a good sport about posing with his running mate, fake Mitt Romney. Read about him, his identity and the rest of the story tomorrow at washingtonian.com.

Bill Clinton vs Kenneth Starr: From The Q&A Cafe Archives

 

Back in February 2010, I found Ken Gormley's book riveting. The Death of American Virtue: Clinton vs Starr was an exhaustive review and analysis of everything "Clinton scandals," from Whitewater to Monica Lewinsky, and then some. Gormley interviewed all the principals, including President Clinton, Kenneth Starr and Lewinsky, and they were candid. The Susan McDougal parts are especially interesting. So, I was excited to have the chance to interview Gormley about the book. 

This was not a "household name," interview, but then some of my favorite interviews are with people who are not necessarily household names. Gormley had a good story to tell. That's what matters.

Gore Vidal's Last Months, Days and Hours

GORE VIDAL (photo: The U.K. Telegraph)

This afternoon I had an interesting conversation with the man who was often at Gore Vidal's side for the past eleven years, his house manager and personal chef. He was with Vidal when the writer died at his home in Hollywood one week ago. Please read my report of the revealing conversation at washingtonian.com

A Conversation with Marion Barry About Blacks, Whites and Gray

Yesterday afternoon D.C. City council member Marion Barry Jr., and I spent an hour in his Wilson Building office, having a conversation that covered many subjects, but especially the economic divide between black and white residents, and the federal investigation of Mayor Vincent Gray. To be expected, Barry's opinions were strong. He thinks the feds need to "speed it up" on Gray, and he feels Washington "might" be ready for a white mayor. Read the full story here: washingtonian.com.

Howard Fineman At The Q&A Cafe, Talking Presidential Politics

 

DOUBLE CLICK TO VIEW IN FULL

This interview with MSNBC's Howard Fineman was taped Thursday, July 26, at The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown. Our next show is Friday, August 17, when the subject will be national security and national intelligence, with "The Watchers" author, and Washingtonian senior writer, Shane Harris. 

A Luncheon Interlude with David Rubenstein and Robert Zoellick

ROBERT ZOELLICK AND DAVID RUBENSTEIN (Photo: Ralph Alswang/The Economic Club)

The Economic Club of Washington reliably serves up one of the most interesting monthly luncheons. As the host of an interview program, I sit in appreciation of David Rubenstein's skill in hosting his own version of the Q&A. He could make a career of it if he wasn't already running Carlyle Group. Also, as one of DC's few bilionaires, it seems he's doing okay in his day job. Still, I love attending his program. Yesterday the guest was World Bank head Robert Zoellick. Read the full story: Economic Club of Washington. 

Good Morning, Washington. Today is National Weed Day.

WASHINGTON FROM KEY BRIDGE, FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 8:30 AM

Did you know today is National Weed Day? It makes for an excellent reason to read my interview with Dr. Mohammed Akhtar, DC's "weed czar," who talks extensively about the arrival soon of medical marijuana at dispenseries around the city. The interview is here at washingtonian.com. In the spirit of growing herb, Earth Day is Sunday, when it is expected to rain. You may also want to read my conversation with Adam Eidinger, co-owner of Capitol Hemp, which will be closing, though they hope to win one of the marijuana distribution licenses. Last but not least is The Washingtonian comprehensive cover story on DC's love affair with marijuana. Read that here, High Society. 

Postscript: how did I observe this occasion? I went to the Corcoran Ball. Did anyone offer me a toke? No. What's happened to etiquette in this town?

Alex Trebek And I Have a Chat About Things

ALEX TREBEK ON THE SET OF "JEOPARDY"

Host Alex Trebek will bring his hit game show, "Jeopardy," to Washington April 20 and 21 to tape at least a week's worth of shows. Today we talked about that and so much more. Read it here: washingtonian.com.