Almost Like Dining With the President
Eager to attend one of
President Bush's exclusive state dinners, but unable to snag a ticket? Here's the next best thing. Thanks to the untimely departure from the East Wing kitchen, former White House chef
Walter Scheib is fast building a successful new business that brings state dinners to homes and corporate HQs. Everything but the prez himself is included. Scheib calls it "dinner and a conversation": menu selections from his days feeding the Bushes and Clintons and colorful insider tales. "It's a cross between
Emeril [Lagasse]and
Garrison Keillor," says Scheib.
"The American Chef" was developed after
Laura Bush unexpectedly pushed Scheib out after 11 years. He kindly chalks it up to Mrs. Bush's bid to put her own stamp on the East Wing by naming the first woman, his deputy
Cristeta Comerford, to the top post. Scheib says job offers came in but he had better ideas, namely re-creating a White House experience in homes and executive offices for top dollar. Hosts get a menu from 7,000 first-family recipes (Laura Bush's minted fresh pea soup,
Hillary Rodham Clinton's veggies and hummus), a cooking class, and hours of stories. Some of his tales puncture the myth of first-family snacking--
Bill Clinton didn't eat McDonald's, and the Bushes dig leftovers; both like healthful, organic chow. "After being locked in the White House basement for 11 years," says Scheib, " it's great to meet people."
The Guv Shows a Little Leg
Here's the latest indication that Arkansas Gov.
Mike Huckabee is running for president. A fatty turned jogger, he's planning a repeat in this year's Little Rock Marathon. Because he's the governor, he can request a number, and last year he chose No.1. Not too subtle there. This year, we're told, a staffer requested 2008.
McCain's Turn for a Little Early Help
The White House, which has recently shown hints of support for conservative Virginia Sen.
George Allen's 2008 presidential plans, is also winking at Sen.
John McCain, the early-on fave for the GOP nomination. Insiders tell us that Bushies have talked him up in private chats with Republican strategists and have even tried to steer people to the Arizonan's effort. Why? The Bushies say they appreciate his support for the president's 2004 re-election campaign and think he could slay Sen.
Hillary Rodham Clinton And for doubters, here's another indication the Vietnam War hero is running: In April, he'll be in Iowa, host of the first presidential caucus, raising money for GOP gubernatorial candidate Rep.
Jim Nussle, the latest presidential hopeful to lend him a hand--and maybe win his support.
Hillary's Turn to Shake Off the Dogs
Look for Judicial Watch, the conservative legal watchdog group, to be first in line now that many Clinton documents can be subjected to the Freedom of Information Act. But Bill is not the target, says Judicial Watch President
Tom Fitton. "The Clinton scandals are fair game as they relate to
Mrs. Clinton," he tells us. In other words, the campaign against Hillary has begun, and the group that dogged her and her hubby most is ready to play. "We understood Hillary to be the copresident," says Fitton. "These papers could tell us how she would govern and specifically about her own ethics."
Professor Bubba Via C-SPAN 101
Add "Professor"
Bill Clintonto a star-studded list of political and media bigwigs flocking to a new Internet and TV college course from C-SPAN, the University of Denver, and Denver's Cable Center. We hear that Bubba will cap the course, "Issues in Media & Public Policy," in April by talking about himself, his election in 1992, and life after the presidency. He's joining the likes of
Newt Gingrich,
USA Today Editor-in-Chief
Ken Paulson, Democratic TV man
Bill Press, and others in the unusual course taught by C-SPAN's
Steve Scully for students at Denver, George Mason, Purdue, and Pace.
Uncle Sam Wants You--to Know
Uncle Sam is returning to military posters, this time to remind people that we're still at war. We spotted him and his pointing finger outside the Pentagon task force charged with countering the deadly improvised explosive device roadside bombs. On the walls are two posters with Uncle Sam asking: "We're at war. Are you doing all you can?"
Dinner and a Movie on Air Force One
While our G-rated prez has pushed personal propriety, the screen fare and food aboard Air Force One are far from pure. During a trip last week, the video library held several movies tagged with warning labels: four for adult themes, eight for violence, and five for sexual situations. The feature was
Into the Blue--an adventure about diving and drugs in the Bahamas--and the only AF1 flick that carried three warnings. The Presidential Entertainment Library is picked by the Air Force, and it's unlikely that Bush watches. But he could have settled for
Tim Burton's Corpse Bride while chowing down on pizza and Haagen-Dazs chocolate-coated vanilla bar.
A Winning Team,a Rabid Fan
It may be hard to believe, considering his long days in front of CNN's cameras, but newsman
Wolf Blitzer really does have a life. Our proof: He's a nut about the George Washington University Colonials men's basketball team. "I like basketball," he tells us. "I love GW." Not because he's an alum--he isn't. The season-ticket holder--midcourt, 15 rows up--credits his daughter with getting him hooked. "I usually sit at the games with my good friend and neighbor,
Bob Chernack, who is a GW vice president, and his wife,
Linda," Blitzer tells us. "My daughter and Bob's daughter were best friends and Bob used to take them to the games, and my daughter one day asked me to come along as well. I did and I became a fan." This year he's really into it because the Colonials are having their best start since 1953. "We have been waiting for this year for a long time," he says.
With With Suzi Parker; Kent Allen and Julian E. Barnes
This story appears in the February 20, 2006 print edition of U.S. News & World Report.
advertisement
