An iconic group from Capitol Hill, K Street, NIH and the media gathered at the home of Marina and Daniel Ein's home on Thursday to celebrate the publication of Michael Smerconish's new book, Morning Drive: Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Talking.

Folks chattered about Pennsylvania politics (Senator Arlen Specter's chances for re-election post-party swap...deemed "excellent" by most) and swine flu. MSNBC Hardball host Chris Matthews extracted an "I'm not running for the Senate" from popular Democratic Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy while former Senator Ted Stevens talked up WaPo's MaryAnn Akers.

Roll Call reporters Tory Newmyer, Emily Heil and long-time Chicago Sun Times bureau chief Lynn Sweet made the fete and celebrity biographer Kitty Kelley mixed it up with Politics Mag's Boyce Upholt.

Chris Matthews and Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA)

Chicago Sun Times Washington Bureau Chief Lynn Sweet and Biographer Kitty Kelley

Chris Matthews and Michael Smerconish

* All photos courtesy of nobilephoto.com