Friday, December 2, 2005

Had pre-Table Top preparation at HHS with MOL, Julie Gerberding, Stewart Simonson, Bill Raub, Bruce Gellin, Jesse Goodman, Rich McKeon and the entire DHHS staff. I have concern over these exercise since they are unrealistic and always make everyone look bad. I tried to interject some common sense into the discussions, but there were too many people who were acting like they knew what they were talking about. I generally do not like those “group” briefings of the Secretary since everyone trials to look smart and few people have a clue of what is going on. That evening, went to an incredible affair at the Kennedy Center with Christine. It was the Grand Opening of the Family Theater sponsored by the Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation Series for Artistic Excellence. After the show which included extraordinary superstars, we had dinner on the stage of the Eisenhower Theater!!. It was incredibly elegant and all the Washington Glitterati were there. At my table with Chris was David Rubenstein of the Carlyle Group, Super-Attorney Bob Barnett, UNICEF President Ann Veneman, Former Sen. John Breaux (D-La), Rita Braver (producer for CBS). At the dinner were every media and politico you could imagine. The dinner was amazing and we all had a great time.