Even though he’s sat behind the desk at “Face the Nation” for 20 years, CBS’ Bob Schieffer proved Wednesday night that he still has lessons to teach Washington. Mainly, how to host a modern bipartisan party.
“When I first came to Washington in 1969 Democrats and Republicans often showed up at the same parties, they don’t do that much anymore, but tonight is a little bit of an exception,” Schieffer told the crowd packed into the ballroom at the St. Regis Hotel. “All of the elected officials that are here tonight, I hope you guys get to know one another while you’re here,” the TV great said to laughs. But he wasn’t kidding. The party attracted a slew of bipartisan bold-face names, who Schieffer was greeting personally at the door.
Crowd favorites included Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, who posed for pictures throughout the night.
Sunday morning show rival David Gregory and his “Meet the Press” executive producer Betsy Fischer were there, along with Fox News Channel’s Ed Henry, PBS’ Jim Lehrer, Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff and the Washington Post’s Bob Woodward.
We caught Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, White House adviser Valerie Jarrett and also Democratic lawmakers Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Steny Hoyer, D-Md., and Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio. there as well.
Prominent Republicans included Bob and Elizabeth Dole, Sen. Scott Brown, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who Schieffer taunted in his remarks.
“We had a party celebrating my 10th anniversary on ‘Face the Nation’ in this very room 10 years ago and I remember Lindsey Graham saying, ‘boy, I hope this many people show up for your funeral.'” Schieffer explained. “I would just like Sen. Graham to know it’s been 10 years, there’s no funeral, and we can still draw a pretty good crowd here and I’m really proud of that.”
