Washington reporters and political and congressional flacks who are at each other's throats during the day are making a rare diversion this week to join in an effort to bring Christmas early to military publicists serving in war-savaged Afghanistan.
"This is the least that we can do," says Sean Spicer, communications director of the Republican National Committee.
He and Brad Woodhouse, his equal at the Democratic National Committee, are hosting a media and political star-studded event Wednesday before the latest GOP presidential debate to raise money and collect goods that military flacks seek. Tops on that list: cigars, cookies, video games and even holiday decorations. [See a collection of political cartoons on Afghanistan.]
Spicer, himself a Navy Reserve publicist, dreamed up the idea when he realized that so-called "flacks who wear flak jackets" don't get much attention. Many, he notes, are full-time congressional press secretaries who are often called upon to put in seven months overseas, leaving their jobs and family.
"Everyone wants to help the troops," says Spicer. But, he added, reporters and political press secretaries have a special relationship with military flacks that they want to address. "The sacrifice these guys make is not always remembered from an industry stand point," says Spicer.
Democrat Woodhouse adds, “It wouldn't be a surprise to anyone that Sean and I can scarcely agree on the time of day much less the direction we should take the country economically. One thing we do agree on though is that we honor the service and sacrifice of the communications professionals in the armed services on the ground in places like Afghanistan and what they do while in harm’s way to represent the best of our country and its people to the our allies and enemies alike.”
The idea began with a simple E-mail to reporters and Washington-based political publicists and the reaction was swift. [See a collection of political cartoons on the economy.]
ABC's George Stephanopoulos, for example, E-mailed back within 10 seconds of Spicer sending out his E-mail. "In 10 seconds he E-mails back, 'I'm in. What can I do?"
The event takes place Wednesday night from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the popular Capitol Hill restaurant Bullfeathers. The hosts include Republican Party boss Reince Priebus and Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Dozens of reporters and publicists are also involved as are industry groups like the National Beer Wholesalers Association and the American Coalition for Clean Coal Energy. Below are the details of what's needed and the list of journalists and press aides hosting the event:
Suggested donation: $10 or a gift to be sent forward.
Gift Suggestions: Cookies, beef jerky, candy/gum, magazines/novels/Sudoku/crosswords, Corn Hole set (bags and board, extra bags) – especially themed boards (media/military/sports theme), darts and board, Wii Rock Band set up and games, K-cups for the coffee machine, holiday lights and decorations, cigars, media-themed ball caps and gear.
HOST COMMITTEE
Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Reince Priebus
Reid Wilson, Hotline/National Journal
Chuck Todd, NBC News
Ron Kessler, Newsmax
Rick Klein, ABC News
Luke Russert, NBC News
Shannon Bream, Fox News
Betsy Fischer, NBC News
George Stephanopoulos, ABC News
Dana Milbank, Washington Post
Fred Barnes, Weekly Standard
Bryan Bender, The Boston Globe
Ruth Marcus, Washington Post
Susan Page, USA Today
Jessica Brady, Roll Call
Alex Pappas, The Daily Caller
Jon Ward, Huffington Post
Erin McPike, Real Clear Politics
Paul Kane, Washington Post
Susan Ferrechio, Washington Examiner
Lexi Stemple, Fox News
David Drucker, Roll Call
Jonathan Karl, ABC News
Ed O'Keefe, Washington Post
Joe Deoudes, Washington Times
Richard Wolf, USA Today
Neil Munro, The Daily Caller
Kim Dixon, Thomson Reuters
Tom Williams, Roll Call
Major Garrett, National Journal
Jay Newton Small, TIME
Margaret Warner, PBS NewsHour
Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review
Lauren W. Whittington, CQ/Roll Call
Emily Miller, Washington Times
A.B. Stoddard, The Hill
Steve Holland, Thomson Reuters
Christina Bellantoni, CQ/Roll Call
Dave Cook, The Christian Science Monitor
Patricia Zengerle, Thomson Reuters
Nancy Cordes, CBS News
Jill Jackson, CBS News
John Nolen, CBS News
Mary Hager, CBS News
Robert Hendin, CBS News
Emily Bradley, CBS News
Susan Milligan, US News
Kate Bolduan, CNN
Dana Bash, CNN
Robert Yoon, CNN
Mark Preston, CNN
Jessica Yellin, CNN
Brianna Keilar, CNN
Ralph Z. Hallow, Washington Times
Mike Allen, POLITICO
James Hohmann, POLITICO
Alex Burns, POLITICO
Martin Kady, POLITICO
Sara Olson, POLITICO
Libby Leist, NBC News
Tom & Dana Manatos & TomManatosJobs.com
Craig Purser
Tracey Schmidt
Rodell J. Mollineau
Anita Dunn
Jennifer Crider
Guy Harrison
Sarah Pompei
Brad Blakeman
Karen Finney
Brian J. Walsh
Michael Steel
Tracy Sefl
Doug Heye
Rick Wiley
Dan Allen
Kevin Madden
Kirsten Kukowski
Scott Kamis
Rory Cooper
Tyler Brown
Rebecca Spicer
Lisa Camooso Miller
Jeff Berkowitz
Kirstin Soltis
Brian Nick
Billy Pitts
Mike Johnson
Ron Bonjean
Paul Pisano
Kirsten Fedewa
Danny Diaz
Peter Fenn
Joe Pounder
Michael Dubke
Brian Jones
Carl Forti
Bob Stevenson
Bob Okun
Alex Castellanos
Matt Mackowiak
Betsy Holahan
Tucker Eskew
Melissa Sabatine
Lauren Maddox
Ann Marie Hauser
Doug Thornell
Gretchen Hamel
George Uribe
Maria Cardona
Damien LaVera
Reader Comments Read all comments (1)
Jorge of CA 8:26PM November 07, 2011