Friday, April 29, 2011

USAT | Why White House fete could be worse

[Cox, Arquette]

USA Today's two known celebrity guests for Saturday's White House Correspondents' Association dinner are separated former wife and husband Courteney Cox and David Arquette.

Fortunately for Gannett's biggest title, management hasn't saddled themselves with The Washington Post's embarrassment: politi-tool Donald Trump. (Although I don't know whether USAT tried.)

A question I'd really like answered: How many tables has USAT paid for, and at what price? In years past, the paper paid a total $16,000 for eight tables. Last year, a table cost $2,225.

11 comments:

  1. Buying tables at charity events we sponsor is a multiple-times-a-week affair for our small paper. Even as word of the layoffs get out.

    Mismanagement of this magnitude is clearly unsustainable, even to a third grader.

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  2. USA Today's David Jackson is president of the White House Correspondents Association this year.

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  3. It's not just the tables, but it is common for sponsors to pick up the hotel tab for their out-of-town guests as well. This is an extravagant affair that has gotten so far out of hand, many Washington journalists now refuse to attend.

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  4. I don't believe Cox and Arquette are officially divorced, so technically they aren't former husband and wife.

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  5. 2:22 who are you kidding? Have you ever attended? It's a huge affair and most journalists love it. Again, posters who are out of touch and make stuff up.

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  6. 3:53 Yes, I have attended. Yes I have eaten the cardboard-tasting filet mignon and drunk glasses of a pedestrian plonk they pass as wine. Yes, I've been to the after-event parties in the back rooms. It's the most boring and tedious event I've ever had the misfortune to attend.

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  7. Here's another Washington reporter who says he's not going anymore:
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/how-the-journalist-prom-got-out-of-control/2011/04/28/AFla9PCF_story.html?hpid=z5

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  8. Hillkirk is on the dial next to the Prez. Wondering what they are talking about.

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  9. Hopefully, Hillirk will say as little as possible.

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  10. Talk about a dimly lit bulb. What a joke. And I don't mean the president.

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  11. The hours john likely spent getting ready for, driving to and sitting at the dinner far surpassed any time he may have spent in the newsroom over the past several months. We wish he would show his face sometime. Might be good for him to talk to reporters once in a while instead of going to useless meetings, healthworks and in bunker mode in his office. Talk about an absence of leadership.

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