Let’s start with the question that always seems to come up with the annual GQ event – “Who from the list came?” So, without further ado: a list of GQ’s power attendees (and their corresponding top-50 rank):
Peter Orszag (#5); Billy Tauzin (#12); Sen. Ben Nelson (#22); Jim Messina (#25); Tony Podesta (#26); George Stephanopoulos (#31); Steve Elmendorf (#32); Dick Armey (#35); Paul Rieckhoff (#37); Bob Cohen (#39); Joel Benenson (#41); Nathaniel Fick (#42); John Harris (#43); Bob Barnett (#44); Tom Goldstein (#45); Ashok Bajaj (#47); Stephanie Cutter (#49);
Noticeable non-shows? Rahm Emanuel (#1), Dick Cheney (#9) and Alexander Ovechkin (#48). We assume they weren’t hanging out in the same place.
Aside from the esteemed listees, the crowded included a potent mix of Washington media players, From ABC to CNN and every blog in between, you’d be hard pressed to throw a quote and not hit a media player at the party.
When WL asked George Stephanopoous why he came, he seemed surprised at the question and simply answered “Well, it was the respectful thing to do.” George … nice guy!
The sweetest part of the night, besides the stellar pass hor d’oeuvres and open bar, with vodka provided by Ultimate Vodka, was the awesome collection of chocolates provided in the swag bag courtesy of Godiva. They say that power is sweet, and in this case it was. To GQ editor in chief Jim Nelson – come back and visit us in DC anytime.
Bob Barnett and Rita Braver. (photo credit: Abby Brack/GQ)
Jim Messina. (photo credit: Abby Brack/GQ)
AbC's Polson Kanneth, Katie Bosland, and Courtney Cohen with Washington Life Magazine Executive Editor Michael Clements (photo credit: Abby Brack/GQ)
Shirley Hung, Ed Henry, Senator and Mrs. Ben Nelson and Peter Mirijanian (photo credit: Abby Brack/GQ)
Michael Mershon (Rep. Jim McGovern's office) and wife Alicia Jennings (senior White House producer for NBC News) (photo credit: Abby Brack/GQ)
Ana Marie Cox and GQ's Jim Nelson (photo credit: Abby Brack/GQ)
