Luke Russert has treated the audience at the annual Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington dinner to an ill-advised euphemism.
Things began innocently enough Thursday night: The NBC correspondent and event emcee asked guests to text donations to a phone number, and all the texts would appear on a large screen during the meal. Donations poured in, along with a few personal messages for Russert.
“Luke, you should meet my daughter. We are good for $1,000.”
The bids for Russert’s hand continued. “Hands off Luke, ladies. He’s mine!” read one. “Luke. It’s me again. Daughters are one thing, but I’m another,” said another, drawing laughs.
Things got strange when Russert returned to the mic to address the texts.
“I’m happy to raise money off my sex appeal,” he said, to chuckles. “But I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that at my table I’ve got five upstanding young bachelors who are St. Albans graduates. College graduates. They all have five-year plans.” The audience continued to chuckle until Russert added, “So there’s plenty of meat to go around.”
Throat clearing and spotty giggles ensued. Russert thankfully moved on and announced that $52,000 had been collected so far that night, and the audience broke into relieved applause.
Among the texting donors who did not express romantic interest in Russert: Republican strategist Ron Christie, who dropped a cool $5,000, and Rep. Donna Edwards, D-Maryland, who donated $500 and was honored by the Boys and Girls Club that evening for her service to the organization. Numerous local politicos and figure skater Michelle Kwan were also in attendance. Donations and tickets to the dinner, named for the host’s father, the late Tim Russert, went to support Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington programs.
