The White House rolled out the red carpet once again on Wednesday night for a state dinner honoring Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala. Politicos, celebrities and everyone in between dressed to the nines. Whose look did you like best? Vote away!
*Scroll down for the pool report from the arrivals.*
POOL REPORT:
First the news: No crashers! (We think.) But an army of photographers appeared at Booksellers at the ready.
First Lady Michele Obama was sporting Peter Soronen gown. She first wore the Chicago designer at the National Governors Association Ball in 2009.
And U.S. Trade Rep. Ron Kirk, while happy to be at the state dinner, misses his former chief of staff Julianna Smoot, the new White House social secretary. "We miss her...this is a great coming out party for her." (Smoot rushed by wearing a sky blue dress moments earlier. Unlike her predecessor, she was not on the guest list.)
And now, please take your seats for the Second Annual State Dinner Arrivals Pool Report by POLITICO's Amie Parnes and Kendra Marr. (We miss you Nia!)
Most chatty: Ray LaHood, who couldn't remember how many state dinners he's been to and kept looking at his wife for assistance.
How was security Mr. Secretary? "We came in on the west side so we didn't come in the way, uh, other people came in."Most interesting date: Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Oprah BFF Gayle King. Are they dating? "We're really good friends."
Most aww shucks moment: Olympian Shani Davis took his coach, Jae Su Chun. (Davis also won the prize for most economical: His tux, mint-colored tie and cummerbund came from...wait for it...Mens Wearhouse.)
Most political: Eva Longoria Parker talked about immigration. "The main message he can give is that he opposes (the new Arizona law) and that came through today."
Best entrance: Larry Summers who walked in the wrong way. Less than five minutes later, after a marine announced his arrival, he sheepishly walked by the photographers again--this time headed in the right direction.
Best/oddest accessory: A tie between Rep. Xavier Becerra wore his Congressional pin on his tux lapel and Mark Sanchez and D'Brickashaw Ferguson who sported matching New York Jets pins.
Color of the night: Orange. Gayle King and Eva Longoria both sported one shoulder toga style orange gowns.
Best multi-tasker: Tim Kaine who appeared at the White House at 5:48 and then sent out a press release at 6:18 blasting Senate Republicans for "obstructing Wall Street reform."
Best quote of the evening: Whoopi Goldberg (who sported a Ralph Rucci gown) saying that she has missed being at the White House. "It's like coming home after a long drought." She said she hadn't been invited the past eight years.
Best wink-wink line: Comedian George Lopez: "I'm sitting with the president. They didn't tell me which country."
Best solo performance: Carole Geithner arriving sans her hubby.
Until next time...over and out.