WASHINGTON — July 2004. The Democratic convention. Boston’s FleetCenter. I’m sitting alongside Chuck Schumer in the New York delegation section. We’re watching someone whose name I’d never heard before, Barack Obama. He’s making a speech. Sen. Schumer whispers to me: “That guy’s going to be the first black president of the United States someday.”
INAUGURATION Day 2013. E-mails. Five pages of 70 items sent to the faithful announcing that Obama memorabilia, already reduced, would allow an extra 15 percent off. Like:
B.O.’s photo — $5. Inauguration sticker — $2.50. A mug with the seal — $25. Button with Himself and Biden — a fiver Michelle button (minus the bangs and Cher’s old wig), same fiver cap — $30. A “Barack Obama” imprinted shopping bag — $75. Copy of an invite — $50. Key ring — $20.
MEMORIES of Dubya’s Inauguration: Deborah Norville, reporting from a roof: “I’m keeping warm in two turtlenecks, a cloth coat because it’s Washington and, since nobody sees my feet, old granny lace-up boots.” Sandra Lee attended with her California builder husband Bruce Karatz. Barry “Presidential Historian” Landau: “It’s Theodore Roosevelt’s 100th anniversary. Bush’s people are re-creating Teddy’s menu.”
Dubya’s out, Teddy’s dead, Sandra’s divorced and bunking with Andrew Cuomo. Landau’s in jail for stealing presidential objects.
CURRENT inaugural’s local joke: “This White House will get tough with Boehner. They’ll replace him with Jackie Chan.”
A-LISTERS, plus me who was not invited to any Obama triple-A soignée soiree, swarmed the Madison, one of DC’s best hotels. The Regency’s Jonathan Tisch just bought the place. Friday he’ll assume it officially as Loews Madison.
Sunday’s night-before inaugural hoo-ha was in the Dolley Madison Ballroom. Highest-class society lady in half a century, missus of our fourth prez James Madison, Dolley herself couldn’t outclass Buffy Cafritz who, with husband Bill, throws this ball every four years.
The positivity in the room was infectious. As much admiration as Obama standing alone in front of a three-way mirror.
Co-host Vernon Jordan: “If I complained about life, I’d be ungrateful.”. . . Gwen Ifill, who moderated one of the debates: “Truth is, I was nervous. To cure nerves, you just keep going.”. . . TV’s Andrea Mitchell: “My first job, 1967, right out of school, I interviewed Arlen Specter, who was running for mayor. I was terrified. I’m still terrified.”
LBJ’s daughter Lynda Bird Johnson: “At dad’s inauguration, I wore a blue coat and blue dress. I’m married 45 years, so I almost can’t remember anything before that.” The former first daughter chatted while chewing nuts.
The clothes: In sleeveless black and silver heels B.O.’s second closest female Valerie Jarrett, nicer-looking in person than in photos: “We were all scared when we started.”. . . Designer Joanna Mastroianni’s long gold jeweled earrings were from Jackie O’s auction . . . Capricia Marshall, part of Hillary’s first lady team: “I’m wearing Oscar — four years old but never out of style.”
Jesse Jackson meandered around uttering things like: “When I started, it was the right time.”. . . At sight of a NY Postie, Rahm Emanuel, former Obama hotshot and now rough tough big-mouth mayor of Chicago, quivered: “Not here . . . not now . . .”
It was fie on Betsy Ross’ red, white and blue. Catering director Scott Button went all white. White flowers, white coconut cupcakes, white chocolate mousse, white linen. Types like Brian Williams and Ted Kennedy’s widow vacuumed up an all-Yankee meal: Maryland crab cakes, NY tenderloin, Florida fruit, California wines, Vermont cheese. From Chicago, nothing. Just politicians collecting IOU’s.
As I tried stuffin’ in a muffin, James Billington, the librarian of Congress, told me he hadn’t returned a library book for 42 years. “Finally I said, ‘If we compound this, what do you think I owe?’ ”
Past Sally Quinn, and Amb. Nancy Brinker of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, was farmer’s son Roy Blunt, first in his family to go to college and now Missouri’s senator. Behind them Donna Shalala, University of Miami president, who said: “It takes a sense of humor. Because first comes the football coach, then the faculty, students, donors, alumni. But we raised $1 billion this year.” I brushed Shalala before she hit me up for a 10 spot.
Tell you the truth, Buffy doesn’t throw a bad party.
ON the way home Amtrak’s alert specified: Allow extra time to and from the station . . . Restrooms are limited. Use beforehand . . . Food courts will be crowded . . . Pack lightly. Lockers, storage not available . . . Amtrak cannot provide alternate transportation if service is disrupted.
And: Security includes police, mobile security teams, federal, state and local law enforcement, ID checks, random screening, police dogs and volunteers “wearing high-visibility vests.”
Only in Washington, kids, only in Washington.