[name dropping] I’ve been in the White House Rose Garden, literally within spitting distance of GWB.[/name dropping]
Trust me, it’s waaaaay cool :D. Unlike Clinton (who looks much taller and, well, redder in real life than on TV), GWB looks exactly like you’d expect him to.
I’d take that invite in a second, but they’d never invite me to such a function, since I’m part of The Media®. The only way I’ll get into such a dinner is if I’m covering it for some publication. That would still require the wearing of a tux, so I’d be happy.
I seriously doubt they’d hold a fundraising dinner at the White House. No, make that “I’d be amazed if they ever considered it.”. I’m pretty sure it would be taken as an insult by a large of people. The White House is the residence of the President and his family; political fundraisers aren’t traditionally run or hosted by the politician in question.
Ah, and re: invitations, I’ve heard that you can actually write and request an invitation, and that it will sometimes be granted. Hey, can’t hurt to try.
Missbunny, from Miss Manners’ Guide for the Turn of the Millenium:
“…Perhaps because of the comparatively casual way invitations [to dinner at the White House] are now made, they have also been casually refused. Only illness, a death in the family, or hardship in making the trip are legitimate excuses for declining such an august invitation, but now one occasionally reads of a celebrity’s having airily refused to go to the White House because of rehearsal fatigue or a livelier party elsewhere. That the chosen guests should be exemplary citizens is an ideal not examined too closely, heaven knows, but the presence, now and then, of celebrities who are willful defiers of common American standards cheapens the honor.”
I’m in. Even if it had been Reagan who I disliked every bit as much as Astorian disliked Clinton (sorry, Astorian), I’d still go out of respect, honor, and curiousity for the building and those who have occupied it, if with less respect and honor for its recent occupants.
Oh, yojimboguy, I’m picky enough I’d probably just wind up nibbling on the dinner rolls, but, come on, it’s the White House!!! Want to go out for real food before or after dinner?
