The fallout from WHCD continues.

The TIME-People party on Friday night at the St. Regis was jammed with members of the media with nearly all networks and publications represented. We spotted CNN’s Wolf Blitzer by the bar, NBC’s Norah O’Donnell by the couches, FNC’s Chris Wallace and wife, Lorraine chatting with ABC News Radio White House correspondent Ann Compton, who was all decked out in a long-sleeved, sparkly cream dress. TIME‘s Richard Stengel could be seen mingling with the likes of MSNBC’s Savannah Guthrie and actor Steve Buscemi. Asked by one scribe how he felt about being shot by mobster Tony Soprano, Buscemi said, “If you’re going to get shot, might as well be by Tony Soprano.” Partygoers whispered about Bristol Palin being in the mix. Though much discussed, guests didn’t approach her in droves. She mostly stuck to quiet spots with her aunt and avoided anyone who tried to interview her.

We finally met up with Gawker‘s Political Editor Jim Newell, who described his blazer/khaki ensemble as “country club casual.” He said WHCD weekend is “obnoxious” but didn’t see the damage of stars mingling with Washington types. “I don’t understand why it has become celebrified,” he said. “Why do they come to this nerdy insider’s banquet?” A reporter in atttendance who wasn’t allowed to bring a plus one complained, “These assholes won’t let me bring my wife!”

Guthrie took exception to the negative undertones. She said she was looking forward to the dinner. “It’s fun to see your colleagues,” she said. “I enjoy it and I’m not cynical about it.” She told me she was planning to wear a long, black Michael Kors dress. “Really boring,” she said, downplaying her gown.

By and large, the party was enjoyed, especially those gift bags that many lugged out.

The Radio Television Digital News Foundation held court last night at the Ritz Carlton hotel in Washington D.C..   Journalists from around the country attended the black-tie affair to celebrate the 2011 First Amendment Award recipients: CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Hearst’s David Barrett and Raycom’s Susana Schuler, and pay tribute to the tenth anniversary of September 11th.  The program also honored nine reporters who displayed special poise and bravery during the 9/11 attacks.  ABC’s Martha Raddatz, ABC Radio’s Ann Compton, Warren Levinson of AP Radio, CBS’s Byron Pitts, CBS Radio’s Charlie Kaye, Jeanne Meserve of CNN, Rick Leventhal of Fox News, NBC’s Rehema Ellis and NPR’s Melissa Block all received special recognition for their dedication to journalism during the national crisis.

Guests at the event were treated to a luxe, three-course meal including scallop appetizer, tender beef entree and tasty chocolate pastry dessert.  And though the dinner was delightful, the highlight of the night was certainly the presentation of the Leonard Zeidenberg Award to Wolf Blitzer.  The award was presented by Turner Broadcasting Chairman and CEO Phil Kent who gushed, “I love this guy”  before playing a hilarious video tribute to the Wolf-man (below and worth the watch).

*Interesting side note:  Blitzer takes off on a whirlwind tour with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton next week.  Among their destinations: Egypt and Tunisia.

Daily Caller staffers and about a trillion (exaggerating slightly) other people piled into Top of the Hill last night at the Pour House on Capitol Hill. The reason for the party (as if the Daily Caller really ever needs a reason) was to welcome new members of Congress and their aides to Washington. Topics of conversation included how crowded the room was, Congress stuff and political musings, the fantastic open bar, and Daily Caller spokeswoman Becca Glover Watkins‘ birthday (which, as FBDC noted earlier, is today).

As is the case with any good party, people got fairly drunk. A pleasant, fun kind of drunk. Editor-in-chief Tucker Carlson took notice, and also addressed how crowded the Top of the Hill had become. “I’m not try to encourage people to drink, but there’s a lot of alcohol downstairs as well,” he said.

A number of congressmen were in attendance, but we spotted one  freshmen for sure: Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.).

Also at the party: Publisher Neil Patel, executive editor Megan Mulligan, Mary Katharine Ham, reporters Jon Ward, Chris Moody, Jonathan Strong, Jeff Winkler, and Mike Riggs (the “Daily Baller” wasn’t doing anything too crazy though), and online editors Julia McClatchy, Chad Brady, and Pat McMahon (who demanded to be mentioned “or else”); Fox News’ Shannon Bream and her husband Sheldon; ABC News’ Ann Compton, her husband, Dr. Bill Hughes, and her daughter, the Atlantic‘s Annie Hughes; Chris Bodenner, also of the Atlantic; WaPo‘s Katherine Zaleski; Washington City Paper‘s Mike Madden; Chris McGreal of The Guardian; C-SPAN’s Howard Mortman; Dan Hirschhorn of Politico; CNN’s Brianna Keilar; Washington Examiner “Yeas and Nays” columnist Nikki Schwab; Christina Wilkie and A.B. Stoddard of The Hill; Moe Tkacik; Kurt Bardella, spokesman for Rep. Darrell Issa and the bain of Daily Beast‘s Howard Kurtz‘s existence; Speaker of the House John Boehner‘s spokesman Michael Steel; Tony Blankley, Executive Vice President at Edelman; and NYP‘s Charlie Hurt.

Lots of love among Daily Caller staffers. Reporter Jeff Winkler goes in for a kiss with online editor Pat McMahon. Spokeswoman Becca Glover seems to enjoy it.

WCP‘s Mike Madden, however, didn’t enjoy it. (We don’t know that he was watching the kiss, but it’s entirely possible.)

Photos courtesy of Wonkette‘s Elizabeth Glover.

QUOTES of the DAY

Sen. John McCain‘s (R-Ariz.) daughter and Daily Beast Columnist Meghan McCain gets new spectacles. “I will now go home at night and turn into Lois Lane,” she tweeted Tuesday.

Birthday Notes: A special belated Happy Birthday to the Washington Examiner‘s Yeas & Nays writer Nikki Schwab, whose birthday was Monday. She celebrated late last week at The Mayflower. Other birthday’s today (h/t ABC Jake Tapper) are ABC News Radio’s Ann Compton and ABC News’s Jonathan Karl.

Snooki Vs. Joan Walsh: Who’s happier?

“I am confident that snooki has a better life than @joanwalsh.” — SCMcDonnell in a Tuesday tweet in reference to Jersey Shore’s Snooki and Salon‘s venomous political talk show pundit Joan Walsh.

A Politics Daily headline on ‘O’

‘O: A Presidential Novel’ — By Anonymous, Starring Obama and ‘Self-Obsessive’ D.C.

Daily rituals

“I make it a point that whenever @MichaelBarone comes into the office, that we fist bump,” Washington Examiner‘s J.P. Freire in a Tuesday tweet.

Something better said, not thought

“If u’r walking in a crosswalk, FUCKING MOVE!!! Don’t take your damn time! I don’t have all day for u to lollygag….JACKASSES!”

Reporter claims to be ‘out of loop’

“Consider me out of the loop: The Obamas were two blocks from my house today at the local middle school, unbeknownst to me until this evening.” — CQ‘s John Donnelly in a Monday Facebook update.

Journo gets emotional over Sawyer interview

“10 minutes into this Diane Sawyer interview with Mark Kelly and I’m already crying.” — ABC News Correspondent Yunji de Nies in a Tuesday night tweet during ABC’s Diane Sawyer interview with Rep. Gabrielle Gifford‘s husband, Mark Kelly on 20/20.

Hu, what, when, where how

After offending some overly sensitive followers with Hu banter on Twitter Tuesday referencing Chinese President Hu Jintao, ABC’s Jake Tapper declared, “A Hu pun ban is on.” To which Daily Caller‘s Chris Moody remarked, “Hu are you to make such declarations? Hu do you think you are, President Hu?” But Think Progress writer, Lee Fang, wasn’t laughing. He wrote to Tapper, “As a journalist, I hope you treat everyone you cover with respect regardless of ethnicity. No need for ethnic cracks.” Tapper replied, “Whoops. I think that’s a little strong. But I’m sorry if you were offended.”

Slate‘s Dave Weigel came down on National Correspondent for ABC News Radio  Ann Compton Monday for reporting on a book being thrown at President Obama at a weekend rally in Philadelphia. He called her reporting sh*t, saying, “Don’t seasoned journalists feel a little bit of shame at wasting their time on shit like this?”

ABC’s White House correspondent Jake Tapper, chivalrously came to Compton’s defense, tweeting to Weigel, “Don’t pick on Ann. WH reporters always cover random things like that in addition to all the substance u dont link to.”

Weigel soon softened his blow. He wrote back to Tapper,  “It’s because I like her reporting that I groan when her talent is wasted.”

A historical note to Weigel, though we’re sure he already knows this because he’s no doubt a smart, wonky cookie: Former President George W. Bush called the incident in which an Iraqi reporter threw two shoes at him at a Baghdad presser “one of the most weird moments of his presidency.”

Obama only got the book thrown at him. Still, it had potential.

UPDATE (Weigel responds):  “That’s a wild misreading of what I wrote. The two publicity stunts at the event were, I thought, stupid and not worthy of the time they were getting. Thus, “shit like this.” I think the initial reference to the “seasoned journalists” makes it clear what I think of her work and reporting. She’s one of the best radio reporters on politics, IMHO.”

The Daily Caller has hired two new scribes. Chad Brady started Tuesday as an online editor. In a complex political media web, Chad is the brother of Erin Brady who is engaged to Bill Hughes, the son of ABC News radio correspondent Ann Compton and Dr. Bill Hughes. Chris Moody is a new reporter who is coming over from The Cato Institute, a D.C. conservative think tank.

Said Daily Caller Spokeswoman Becca Glover Watkins: “We’re happy to welcome Chris Moody and Chad Brady to the Daily Caller team. We hope they’ll have as much fun here as we are! Chris will be reporting on whatever we throw at him and Chad will eventually take over our incredibly popular ‘DC Links’ morning email in addition to regular online editor duties. Chad’s hit the ground running this week and we expect Chris mid June.”

Members of WaPo‘s Newspaper Guild have written a letter to the publisher Katherine Weymouth expressing “disappointment” about her nearly “$500,000 bonus” and 10 percent pay raise”.

An exerpt:
Dear Ms. Weymouth,
As employees of the Washington Post and members of the Newspaper Guild, we were disappointed to hear that you accepted a bonus of nearly $500,000 at a time when the sacrifices made by so many people who work here – or used to work here – are still fresh.

Read the whole letter here.

> Update: We’ve been redirected to a more corporate level PR department for comment. We’ll keep you posted. Spokeswoman Ann Compton declined to comment.

Forget the Salahis – there was another party animal at the White House Thursday, although not as well-dressed as the fame-seeking couple. Still, impressive.

On ABC’s Jake Tapper‘s Political Punch blog, ABC’s Ann Compton and Sunlen Miller report on an unusual, hairy site on the steps of the Rose Garden as the President stood at a podium talking about Wall Street reform.

It was a rodent that somehow got past Secret Service.

Read the entire post here.

ABC’s Jake Tapper got a big surprise today when his wife and daughter showed up at the White House press briefing room with a cake to celebrate his 41st birthday. Note that the cake is Dora the Explorer. Happy birthday to Jake!

Pics by Mark Knoller and Ann Compton.

The Daily Caller launch party was the place to be last night for Washington D.C.’s political party crowd.

In attendance:
Former Time scribe Matt Cooper and Scooter Libby, former Chief of Staff to former V.P. Dick Cheney (in the same room)

From the Daily Caller:
Tucker Carlson, Editor-in-Chief
Moira Bagley, Opinion Editor
Becca Glover Watkins, Publicist and Booker
Jonathan Ward, senior political and White House Reporter
Matt Labash (who also writes for The Weekly Standard)

Liz Glover, former TWT columnist
Juleanna Glover, host, GOP lobbyist

Christopher Hitchens, Vanity Fair, and wife, Carol Blue
ABC’s Jake Tapper, Ann Compton, The Note’s Rick Klein
NBC’s Savannah Guthrie
UrbanDaddy’s Jeff Dufour and wife, Jayne
CBS bureau chief Chris Isham, CBS’ Christine Delargy
CNN’s Amy Holmes
Talking Points Memo’s Christina Bellantoni
Politico’s Patrick Gavin, Kiki Ryan, Michael Calderone
Meet the Press’ Joey Bell
Yeas and Nays’ Tara Palmeri
Congress Daily’s Erin McPike
Roll Call’s Jackie Kucinich, Shira Topeitz, Emily Heil
The Hill’s Bob Cusack, Jared Allen, Christina Wilkie
Monocle’s Sasha Issenberg
The Atlantic’s Marc Ambinder
Former Bloomberg scribe Tim Burger

Non-media types: Janet Donovan, Ron Bonjean, Christina Sevilla, Michael Feldman, Mark Paustenbach, Susanna Quinn, former White House press secretary Joe Lockhart.

One highlight of the party was a man dressed up in colonial wear, who, a partygoer surmised, was “what I can only assume was a “Daily Caller.” There were two French maids passing out vodka.

Fun was had by most. The only part anyone quibbled about was the coat check. One attendee remarked: “There were really long lines to get your coat to leave and just too many people to be in one house at the same time. By the time you got your coat from the coat check and your car from the valet, it was at least 15-20 minutes.”

Politico’s Gavin tweeted, “Even Joe Lockhart has to wait in line for his coat.”

Photographs courtesy of Patrick Ryan.
See more party pictures and Politico Click video after the jump…

Read more