UPDATE: EXCERPTS FROM OBAMA'S REMARKSHundreds of members of
Occupy DC held
a large, noisy protest in front of the Capital Hilton on Saturday night, but it didn't prevent
President Obama and
First Lady Michelle Obama from arriving on time for the
99th Annual Alfalfa Club Dinner.
An exclusive organization with members from America's 1% power elite, the Alfalfa Club exists for the sole purpose of hosting the affair on the last Saturday of every January. As is always the case, the dinner was closed to media, who were not allowed to hear President Obama make his comedic remarks. The President's pool, held far away from the action, had just one glimpse of Mrs. Obama all night; she wore a floor-length gown in red.
(Above: Mrs. Obama in a red gown at a 2011 black tie affair; it is one of her favorite colors)Among the moguls and politicos spotted on the red carpet, held under a white tent in front of the hotel and away from the protest:
President G. H. W. Bush and his son
Jeb Bush, former Governor of Florida, who visited with the President
on Friday afternoon at the White House, as well as President
George Bush; President Obama's favorite billionaire,
Warren Buffett; tech entrepreneur
Steve Case;
Sen. John Kerry (D-MA);
Sen. Pat Leahy (D-VT); and Baseball Hall of Famer
Cal Ripken, Jr..
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) was among those who got glitter-bombed by members of Occupy DC as he crossed the street to get to the red carpet with companions (video below).
The Alfalfa Dinner menu is always the same...
Acclaimed DC chef José Andrés was one of the few guests who tweeted about the event, which included tweeting to Obama Foodorama the photo,
above, of his entree. It was a rare
Filet Mignon and vegetables; the Alfalfa Club Dinner menu is the same each year, and also includes
Lobster.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has been added to the list of community leaders who will join First Lady Michelle Obama today for a 9:00 AM Let's Move! event in Inglewood, CA. Mrs. Obama will spotlight the partnership of the California FreshWorks Fund and Northgate González Markets to bring fresh, healthy foods to underserved communities in California. CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE DETAILS, and check back later today for a full report from Inglewood.
