Party sources tell us the fallen food was a display of various Asian cuisine — dumplings, etc, that crashed to the floor. “Nobody laughed, it was more like a collective gasp because it was so loud and shattery-sounding in such genteel surroundings,” a party witness told us.

After the display fell, a small phalanx of capable young women with earpieces swarmed and had it taken care of immediately.

Brunch was saved!

Speaking of which, the food is always a highlight: sliders, different kinds of eggs benedict made to order, cones of tuna tartare, an assortment dumplings, lobster tails, crab legs — all kinds of seafood, and an open bar.

Guests spilled out onto the lawn.

According to our party sources, brunch at the Allbrittons was definitely more crowded this year.

All the big Politicos were there… continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Weekend understatement: “A Saturday free of news crises. #priceless” — USA Today Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page.

WHCD Prom Week begins with wrenching choice

“Okay I have two options for the WHCA dinner this Saturday and not one gown in hand. Oh No! I hope to have the one today. cross fingers.” — American Urban Radio’s Washington Correspondent April Ryan.

In a word: disturbing

“My mother is drunk texting me. So I guess I’m at the stage of life where that happens.” — Townhall Managing Editor Kevin Glass. Just out of curiosity, who else out there is in this “stage” with his or her mother?

The Eavesdropper

“Haha guy on this awful date literally just said ‘I love sandwiches.’” — BuzzFeed‘s Kate Nocera.

Driver splits from motorcade in Jerusalem

“We have the worst motorcade driver in recorded history here in Jerusalem. We are actually no longer in the motorcade.” — NBC News cameraman Jim Long, who was in Tel Aviv this weekend on travel with Sec. of Defense Chuck Hagel.

Parents advised to avoid press

“Were told Boston suspects’ parents would give us an interview. Then they canceled, saying were ‘advised’ not talk to press for a few days.” — ABC News Moscow correspondent Kirit Radia.

Important Q to Ponder:  “Would WaPo’s Boston coverage be as good if Brauchli was still in charge?” — D.C. resident and avid tweeter Kevin Reiss, referring to Blanched Marcus Brauchli, WaPo‘s previous Executive Editor. The current executive editor is Marty Baron, former editor of The Boston Globe.

Online brawling

“Your right. I should delete you, asshole.” — Seattle’s Scott Omli to Townhall‘s Derek Hunter, who replied, “It’s you’re and you blocked me, so why are you still tweeting me?”

Tagg feels pinch of sequestration

“Waiting in an airplane at Logan. Captain said FAA said we have to wait an extra hour to leave because of sequestration. It begins.” — Tagg Romney, son of Mitt.

Words of wisdom from a TV journo’s obviously religious wife and a journo tries to put herself in shoes of the Suspect #2… continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

“My puppy at her 14 week trim.” — April Ryan.

Today starts Dogbowl 2013. And it begins with American Urban Radio White House Correspondent April Ryan‘s puppy, Sapphire. Three years ago, the feature began quite innocently when we declared that Syndicated columnist Karl Frisch‘s puppy, Dexter von Frisch, was the cutest dog in Washington. At the time, he was four-months-old, weighed 12 pounds and was already reading FishbowlDC on a near daily basis. Many readers disagreed with our choice — and a new feature was born as pictures poured in from journalists all over town.

Ryan’s pooch has a certain regal air to her and who can resist those pink bows?

Think your dog has what it takes to make our list? Send us a picture and a graph telling us about the dog’s personality, likes and dislikes. We may ask to meet your pooch in person. If you’re a member of Washington’s media or a political journalist, send to fishbowldc@mediabistro.com or to Betsy@mediabistro.com. Dogs who entered our previous contest may enter again. We’re making an exception for Washington newest dog named after a media personality, Chuck Todd. He may enter the contest if he’s not too busy parading around the dog park showing off his famous name.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

But you’d be wrong.

This morning, Yahoo News published a first-person account by Rachel Rose Hartman, explaining the difficulties of pumping in the course of her day at the White House. She takes readers on a journey through the ordeal of having to use an unclean, unisex bathroom to pump for breast milk.

She writes about all that, amidst an Obama administration that claims to care about such a thing: “Under President Barack Obama’s new health care law, employers with more than 50 workers are required to provide a private lactation space other than a restroom for nursing mothers up to one year after giving birth,” writes Hartman.

A low but fitting blow: “Perhaps you’ll recall that these restrooms recently shot to fame as the chosen place for Al Roker to dispose of his dirty underwear?” writes Hartman.

Ultimately White House Correspondent Association President Ed Henry, Chief White House Correspondent for Fox News, and WHCA’s Christi Parsons, addressed the matter and in coordination with the White House, came to her rescue. The eventual solution: radio booths provided by — not the White House or any order by President Obama — but the Christian Broadcasting Network and CBC/Radio-Canada. In the interim, American Urban Radio Networks’ April Ryan allowed her to use her booth.

What comes next is pretty shocking: readers unleashed a torrent of insults and complaints about why this was even a story, why she doesn’t just stay home with her kids and more. continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

“Gotta be 65 degrees on a terrific autumn night” — FNC’s Chief White House Correspondent Ed Henry.

Anticipatory Storm Complaints

“Approaching big storm prep: batteries, check. Canned food, check. Emergency generators, check. Full-page apology ad from Pepco, check.” — C-SPAN Communications Director Howard Mortman.

“.@PepcoConnect Let’s just say that your track record as regards restoring our power is somewhere between abysmal and catastrophic.” — Yahoo! News‘s Olivier Knox.

“@OKnox Why doesn’t PEPCO just shut off our power now and get it over with?” — NYT‘s Jonathan Weisman.

“My boyfriend: Buying all the toilet paper from the grocery store before everyone else gets there. #BePrepared” — Lisa Rowan, vintage blogger.

Compliment or Insult: Who really knows?

“Your always-perfect hair reeks of pure #journalism,” a follower writes in to FNC’s Bret Baier, who, of course, responds, saying, “Good to know -thanks- I’ll try to keep it together.”

Ana Marie Cox “endorses” Obama

“It’s true: I have chosen to endorse Obama because I’m proud to have someone of the *human* race as President. So there.” — The Guardian‘s Ana Marie Cox. Does a pundit do endorsements? Do they really need to? Pretty sure we already new the progressive Cox was for Obama.

Journo Love

“Go @AprilDRyan! She’s interviewing Obama tomorrow at 5:40 p.m. in Oval Office. First member of WH press corps to do so in months.” — Politico‘s Jennifer Epstein on American Urban Radio White House Correspondent April Ryan.

Breitbart.com Editor needles BuzzFeed Political Editor

“Source tells me @BuzzFeedBen‘s BuzzFeed Politics is something of a laughingstock. Actually, herds of sources tell me this.” — Breitbart.com‘s John Nolte, still smarting from BuzzFeed‘s McKay Coppins story on internal Breitbart.com matters.

Overheard…

“Overheard on the Romney press bus: ‘I think Meat Loaf is two words.’ ‘Yes, it is two words.’ — NPR’s Ari Shapiro.

See FishbowlDC’s Fan Club Board after the jump as well as thoughts from a media observer… continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

If you want a friend in Washington…Meet Kendall, CNN and RedState’s Erick Erickson‘s new pup. It is uncertain whether he will join the ranks of ABC News’s Jake Tapper‘s cat, Walter, and dog, Winston, with brand new Twitter accounts.

Only in Washington…

“Overheard on street corner: woman lamenting a coworker’s insufficient respect for her knowledge of the Spanish Civil War. #onlyinDC.” — The Hill‘s Niall Stanage.

Journos fall in love with George W all over again

“Laura Bush is rocking a popped collar in her official portrait. #likeaboss.” — TPM Assoc. Editor Sara Libby.

“MAN I LOVE GEORGE W. BUSH” — Wonkette/Salon/Guardian Contributor Jim Newell.

“Got a wink from W during his speech. Before he spoke of unconditional love of his dad” — American Urban Radio White House Correspondent April Ryan.

“Bush looks tan.” — The Guardian‘s Social News Editor Katie Rogers.

“President Bush 43 is on fire with these jokes. Hilarious.” — NBC’s Luke Russert.

“Just fantastic.” — MSNBC.com’s Mike O’Brien.

Forgot how quick W was to tear up…refers to his pop’s ‘unconditionally love’ [sic] and gets weepy.” — ABC News White House Correspondent Jake Tapper.

“Grace all around at WH unveiling of portraits on GWB and Laura Bush.” — CNBC and NYT‘s John Harwood.

Headline that should disturb you: “Man admits to eating roommate’s heart and part of his brain.” More here. (Thank you to blogger Jeff Quinton for alerting us to this. He remarked to FBDC, “Just worried that the dude lives so close to my wife’s brother and his family honestly.” He writes The Quinton Report. )

Journo witnesses jumper

“Well, I saw some poor guy jump off a building, and made a statement to the cops. So today took a different turn.” – Free Beacon‘s Katherine Miller.

The Matchmaker

“Attention ladies – John Edwards is available.” — Townhall and Breitbart.com‘s Derek Hunter.

In other Edwards gets away acquitted reaction…

“Let he who has never betrayed his cancer-stricken wife, fathered a child with a mistress and had his aide take the fall cast the first stone.” — New York Daily News Opinion Editor Josh Greenman.

“He is really deluded here if he thinks he has a political future.” — NBC’s Chuck Todd on this morning’s TODAY show. Todd can never really hide his dripping contempt for Edwards.

“John Edwards managed to do in court what he does best and he was the defendant this time–waste tax payer money.” — TWT‘s Kerry Picket.

Journo watchdog deals with wayward moth

“Moth has camped out at the top of our 20 foot entry ceiling. Wife has closed all the bedroom doors as a precaution.” — Accuracy in Media Chairman Don Irvine.

HuffPost Politics Reporter Laura Bassett has the moving blues: “Moving is like repeatedly stabbing yourself in the eye with a fork.”

Spoken like a true blogger

“I hate meeting new people.”– Lisa De Pasquale, an Alexandria, Va. -based blogger who writes The Lotus Blog.

Peter Ogburn contributed to this report.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Politico Dylan Byers’ “sexy-ass” beard gets noticed

“@DylanByers Dylan, I saw u this AM on Bill’s show. WOW! U look better than the avatar. Nice hair, a sexy-ass beard. I luv a man w/a beard.” –unknown female named Rhonda. Byers appeared on Current TV’s Bill Press radio program Tuesday morning. Above is Dylan with and without his beard. Just like Fox News, we report, you decide. Tell us what you prefer at FishbowlDC@mediabistro.com.

Weather Blues

“Hopefully the rain will stop soon! It can make your day quite depressing.” — The Daily Caller‘s Pat McMahon. (This was yesterday, so hopefully Pat is enjoying the sunshine today.)

Baier trying to drop poundage

“Good morning – long exhausting workout this morning. Trying to drop some lbs – got to keep at it! Thoughts on the day?” — FNC’s Bret Baier.

Stop the Presses!

“@SophiaRedefined urgent call me on my cell phone right now!” –  American Urban Radio White House Correspondent April Ryan to Sophia Nelson, a columnist for NBC’s theGrio.com.

Deep Thoughts With Katherine Kennedy

“Having a bad day? I double dog dare you to compliment three people. Guaranteed to turn that frown upside down #giveback #keepinspiring.” — Katherine Kennedy, who describes herself as a “social impact investor” by day and “prevent cancer advocate” by night.

Viewer likes Michelle Fields for her brains, obviously

“My new big time crush from the political genre is @michellefields. She is such a babe.” — a PR intern in Scottsdale, Ariz. Ian Zymarakis referencing The Daily Caller‘s video journo Michelle Fields. This picture is from Michelle’s recent appearance on Fox News.

Whoa! Blogger talks to his wife

“Just spent an entire hour talking to Mrs. Other McCain. #DoesntHappenOftenEnough” — conservative blogger Robert Stacy McCain.

From the Dept. of Bragiculture…“My two-year-old likes the PBS Newshour. #nerdbrag” — Author Steve Edwards. This was RT by NewsHour.

Peter Ogburn contributed to this report.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

“I didn’t know men could be called Bimbo.” — Fox & Friends host Gretchen Carlson this morning while wearing a traditional Carlson short red dress that stops mid-thigh. Carlson was referring to a Newark security officer who assumed a dead man’s name for the past 20 years. Needless to say, the Nigerian man’s name isn’t his real name, which is Bimbo.

FNC Chris Wallace’s boring admission

“48 out of 52 weeks a year I have chicken.” — Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace on Fox & Friends in an appearance with his wife Lorraine for her new book, Mr. Sunday’s Saturday Night Chicken not to be confused with Lorraine’s future book, Mr. Sunday’s Eating Disorders. Wallace’s favorite chicken is apparently some sort of faux fried chicken dish.

Dicking Around

“Courtyard Marriott so confused me I had to walk outside to find my way to the front door.” — CBS Political Director John Dickerson in an unusual state of confusion.

TV reporter gripes about failed delivery

“I hate it when you make an apt w/ a company to deliver a service at your home sometime in a 2 hr window, they don’t show & no call. FIRED!” — WJLA’s Mike Conneen.

Politico scribe wants to stay in Hilary loop

“Was away last week. Did I miss any big Hilary Rosen news?” — Politico‘s Alexander Burns on the CNN Contributor who recently went viral for a tiff with Ann Romney.

Journo questions black v. gay agenda at White House

“I mean how many times has the White House said that cannot discuss a ‘black agenda’-but a ‘gay agenda’ is fine????” — NBC theGrio columnist Sophia Nelson, who has been suffering from kidney stones. On Monday she was in discussion about a black versus gay agenda with American Urban Radio White House Correspondent April Ryan.

Roland on holy roll this morning

“Dear God, you easily lifted us out of a slumber this morning. May we have the courage to lift you up today & worship you without hesitation!” — CNN Contributor and “Washington Watch” host Roland Martin.

Disturbing headline from WUSA9: “Police: Man Had Sex With Woman While She Was Sleeping” — the story, however, is unclear and doesn’t quite match the headline. She woke up with the man on top of her. He had gone with her and her boyfriend to a picnic. Doesn’t explain the sex while sleeping part. Doesn’t say where her boyfriend was. Read the story full of gaping holes here.

Pre-wedding anxiety

“Feeling. Stressed!!! Time for tea and sitting still. And some dark chocolate. #weddingpleasedontkillme” — C-SPAN Producer Lauren Torlone.

Obama on ‘The View’: Uneventful?

“Pool Report on Obama’s appearance on The View: ‘He did not appear to make any major news.’ — The Nation‘s Ari Melber. Obama on ABC’s “The View” airs this morning at 11 a.m. ET.

Peter Ogburn contributed to this report.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Stop and check out the chicks: “Look what I passed on the road today. I wonder how old these little guys are” — CNN Contributor and former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer. American Urban Radio’s April Ryan remarked, “AWWW! The dad in you made you take the precious shot!”

Drudge whoring at the rental car agency

“Rental car guy: ‘Sorry brah, I get most of my news from Drudge.’ #noproblembrah” — Politico‘s Dave Catanese.

All in a day’s work

“There are days when I feel like I can’t push this rock up the mountain anymore, days when #TheRaceCardProject feels like a boulder.” — NPR’s Michele Norris.

Senator’s wife wishes hubby a happy anniversary

Connie Schultz: “My only advice for wedded bliss: Marry your hero. Happy anniversary, honey – aka Sherrod Brown.”

George Zimmerman journo humor

• “I need all Florida helicopters to keep an eye out for any white Broncos. #IJS” — NYT‘s Charles Blow.

• “If you happen to see Zimmerman in line ahead of you at Wendy’s, remember he still has valid permit to carry concealed weapon. So back off.” — Politico‘s Roger Simon.

Reporter talks to himself on Twitter

“@mboyle1 probably not. was just funny. I wouldn’t go out of your way though” — The Daily Caller‘s Matthew Boyle. Hey Boyle, maybe lay off the Mountain Dew and Red Bull today? He followed up by adding, “Haha. Kinda funny though. Guess I got caught talking to myself haha. Bet I end up in @fishbowldc for that one.”

Noteworthy: Politico Playbook published at one of the earliest times in recent memory this morning. Time: 4:45 am. Come on, Jim VandeHei, let Mike Allen sleep!

Hey Speechboy, speed matters

“So why do people care if Bloomberg or the Washington Post was the first to report a fact that within 2 minutes of reporting, everyone knew?” — @speechboy71. HuffPost‘s Michael Calderone has this explanation from a WaPo spokeswoman. “The draft story was not intended to be published until we confirmed that Santorum was suspending his campaign. The draft was inadvertently sent to Bloomberg, with whom The Post has a partnership, through an automated feed. It was not published on our Web site until the news had been confirmed.” Read his full story here.

In England, the sweater vest is a tank top

Politico‘s Emily Schultheis: “Best part of BBC radio interview I did just now: host calling Santorum’s sweater vest a ‘tank top’. Daily Mail Online‘s Toby Harnden, Washington’s official tank top expert, replied to Emily, saying, “It’s the only term recognised in UK! Having to wear a ‘tank top’ still a traumatic childhood memory.”

Necessary Tweet of the Day

“My mother prefers I not curse in my gchat status update ‘from now on.’ Apparently ‘the whole world’ sees that.” — DCGOPGirl.

Peter Ogburn and Eddie Scarry contributed to this report.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Disturbing headline of the Day: “Fallen Tree Pins Fairfax Woman to Bed” — Washington D.C. News. See story here on MyFoxDC.com. Best line: “Fire officials say this is a good time to do a quick site survey at your home to make sure your trees are stable.”

Fueling the fire

“Four words nobody at @MMFA wants to see: ‘First in a series.’” — The Daily Caller‘s Jim Treacher, referencing this story.

Washington media types react to Whitney passing

“@BravoAndy I loved to hear your favorite Whitney Houston song is I Love the LORD!! You have gained even more cool points.” — American Urban Radio White House Correspondent April Ryan to Bravo’s Andy Cohen in aftermath of Whitney Houston‘s death. In a series of emotional tweets over the weekend, Ryan expressed her sadness. A sampling: 1) My heart really wants to cry! 2) Girl this will never make sense. 3) My heart breaks for her mother especially as she loved her so much with motherly and tough love to help her family. 4) I actually wiped tears away when I heard her sing I Love The Lord Live. Didn’t we almost have it all is so meaningful.

“Deepest condolences to #Whitney Houston’s entire family, including her young daughter. “Weeping may endure for a night..” Peace out. I’m sad.” — CNN Political Analyst Donna Brazile. In Manhattan over the weekend, Brazile mentioned an outing to visit her Aunt Lu in Harlem. “What’s on your menu? A walk in Central Park and a visit to see Aunt Lu in Harlem. Weight Watchers beware of Southern cuisine up north,” she said, adding, “I plan to watch Aunt Lu cook. She’s my Dad’s last surviving sibling (number 11) and he’s number 12. Will bring my #Whitney Houston music.”

Falling is a good thing?

“Just slipped, slid and fell in the lobby of my office building. Normally, this would be a bad omen, but I just thought it was kinda funny.” — Greenwire‘s Jessica Estepa.

Bizarre promo for a story: “Man who locked himself in a toilet claiming he had a bomb arrested at Amsterdam’s busy Schiphol Airport” — CBS News. Since when can a person lock themselves in a toilet? Whatever it was, it involved a bomb and caused an entire airport to be evacuated. See the AP story here.

Boybander bleeds for budget cuts

“Gonna say the reason I cut my neck shaving & bled on my collar is to symbolize defense budget cuts.” — Wired’s Spencer Ackerman in a geeky yet gruesome thought of the day. (Note to readers: This isn’t Ackerman, but how we envision he might shave.)

From the Dept. of Bragiculture…

“.@DonnaBrazile nails it on why WH bungled contraceptive cvgs: “The outer loop couldn’t get into the inner circle.” #ThisWeek @ThisWeekABC” — Brazile retweets a compliment from ABC’s Rick Klein. Thanks Rick!

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

American Urban Radio White House Correspondent April Ryan has been hitting up colleagues, administration officials, and Secret Service these days. She may have even approached a certain POTUS. But beyond that, she’s not squealing. For what, you ask?

Girl Scout cookies. In particular, addictive Thin Mints.

And few can say no. “You can’t deny Girl Scout cookies,” she says, explaining that her daughter is a Brownie. “I’m lugging them from Baltimore.” ABC White House Correspondent Jake Tapper snagged a box to help April’s little girl. He also has something of a personal interest as his wife is a consultant for the Girl Scouts of America.

Saying no? Sure, it’s possible. But not wise.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

It’s hard for TMZ’s founder Harvey Levin to chill and stop working. At the National Press Club today to keynote a luncheon, he sat in a tan leather chair upstairs to prepare his speech and do this interview. He’s intense, but polite, friendly and not a big shot Hollywood figure who can’t be bothered. He wants to be bothered — within reason. He also wants to get his thoughts together and use the men’s room before his speech because “it would be bad form to pee in my pants,” he says, laughing. Something else that immediately jumps out: He’s smaller than he appears on TV. Throughout the day it will be the first observation people make. He’s svelte and proportional and has expensive-looking black sneakers with no laces and fashionable holes. “Are those Crocs?” asks American Urban Radio’s White House Correspondent April Ryan out of earshot at a VIP reception before the luncheon. Random but noteworthy: He’s newly vegetarian and no longer wears leather. He skips the juicy steak swimming in gravy and potatoes lunch and doesn’t opt for the vegetarian alternative — a mushroom with a thick, bubbling layer of cheese. Instead, he sips ice water. On the show, Levin stands and hangs over a newsroom wall, making it harder to tell how tall or short he is. He’s 5’7,” at least according to the driver’s license he pulled out to show me when I asked.

Before the FishbowlDC interview gets underway, first, a phone call to the office to check in. “Hey it’s me,” he says into his BlackBerry. “Are they still in the meeting? Anything I need to know? We have to talk about Scarlett Johansson. It’s the weirdest thing…” (A producer was in Paris recently and had an inappropriate interaction with Johansson, something that will not run on air. Levin’s producer tells me Harvey’s just having fun and giving the producer as hard a time as possible.)

On starting TMZ in Washington: “Yes, it’s just an issue of time. It will happen. I just need time to do it right. This is going to require me to be here for awhile.” Favorite politicians? “Not really. Therein lies the problem.” Does he support President Obama’s reelection? “Not going to say.”

Let’s begin.

Which GOP presidential contender is the most TMZ-worthy? Too soon to tell. (His producer chimes in, “Rick Perry. He’s bound to do the dumbest thing.” Levin’s not necessarily convinced.)

If you were a carbonated beverage which would you be? Orange crush.

What is the one question you get asked most frequently? What’s in your cup?

How often do you Google yourself? Almost never.

Who is your favorite working journalist and why? Anderson Cooper, because he’s honest.

What word or phrase do you overuse? “Here’s the thing.”

What’s the worst thing a stranger/heckler ever said to him? Find out…
continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Please, Fishbowlers, we’d really like to see your creative captions. Send to FishbowlDC@mediabistro.com or to Betsy@mediabistro.com. Or tweet us your caption at @FishbowlDC.

“Bo may look like an ordinary dog but trust me, Harvey, he’s so much more.”

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

American Urban Radio Host and White House Correspondent April Ryan tells an old story to Politico for their relatively new “POLITICdotes” feature about eating soul food with former President Bill Clinton — that would be before he became a vegan and before he had his heart attack. “He was melding flavors,” she said disapprovingly.

Ryan, a spicy character, is known for kicking ass, namely those of White House press secretaries who try to spin her. Earlier this year was elected to the board of the White House Correspondents’ Association.

Watch here.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Politico‘s 50 to Watch party Thursday night at Barcode in downtown D.C. was unusual in that not even those attending knew whether they had made the list or whether they were just being invited to a party with booze and balloons.

“I had no idea. I had no clue,” remarked ABC News White House Correspondent Ann Compton on her way into the party upon discovering that she’d made the list under the category of New Deans of the White House Press Corps. “What fun!” She continued, “Having been here since I was brand new at 27, to be discovered is really cool.”

Many who didn’t make the list made jokes. NRSC Spokesman Brian Walsh told me he was unofficially #51. And Sen. John Thune‘s (R-S.D.) press secretary Kyle Downey agreed to be #53. Walsh’s illustrious dog, Rudy, slid in at #52.

HuffPost-AOL Editor-in-Chief Arianna Huffington showed up just to mingle. She knew she hadn’t made the list. Former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) made the list and few understood why with all the “formers” in his title.

The concept of a power list? “It’s very Washington,” said a GOP flack at the party who wished to remain anonymous.

A sampling of who made the list: CBS News’ Mark Knoller and Bill Plante, American Urban Radio’s April Ryan,  fundraisers like Alison Baker of Straus Baker, Paula Dukes of Rizzo Dukes Group, Joanna Brooks, a religion columnist, Greg Giroux of Bloomberg Government, David Waldman, a liberal blogger. TV Faces included Brett Baier (FNC), Sam Feist (CNN), David Gregory (NBC), Phil Griffin (MSNBC) and Norah O’Donnell (CBS).

Waiters and bartenders at the party had chiseled physiques and wore tight-fitting Politico T-shirts. “What’s not to like?” replied one waiter when asked if he liked the T-shirt. “It says Politico. And then people ask me what Politico is and I have no idea.”

Oh, look! Another White House Dean. April Ryan, a correspondent for American Urban Radio who most recently landed a seat on the WHCA board, also made the list. Like Compton, she was surprised and tickled to make the cut. “It’s amazing,” she said. “I’m thankful. It’s nice that someone recognized the work I do. I wasn’t doing anything to be recognized. I just do my job. It’s an honor.”

WaPo‘s Jonathan Capehart was in the crowd. Asked what these power lists accomplish, he replied, “The most important thing they do is they let people know quite possibly who they should be paying attention to in a serious manner rather than the folks they are already paying attention to. Most of the time the people we think are important aren’t as important as we think they are or they think they are.”

Politico‘s Mike Allen (pictured above in a photograph that makes him look like a cartoon character) had a different, POLITICO (all caps) sort of response when asked to comment on the list. “This is the next generation of newsmakers,” he said. “These are the people who are going to win the cycle.”

Some were excited about the list. “I like the lists,” said ABC’s Polson Kanneth. “Everyone loves a good list.”

As mentioned earlier, The Hill‘s “50 Most Beautiful People of Capitol Hill” came out this week. Party banter inevitably turned to it. One male who had previous been on the beauty list expressed shock over this year’s list. He looked almost embarrassed to have once been on it. Another partygoer expressed outrage, “It’s not just that they were not that attractive. It’s that some were actively ugly.”

While the bar quickly filled with political and media types who appeared to be enjoying themselves, not everyone there was so hot on the concept of power lists. An intern from Ghana perusing the 50 Politicos to Watch glossy magazine at the bar remarked on lists like this in general: “They’re all corrupt. But I have no evidence to prove that.”

And there was publicist Janet Donovan, who also doesn’t appear to think much of lists. “I hate lists,” said Donovan. Drifting into the crowd of important people and those watching them, she added, “They’re condescending.”

For more on the White House Deans, read Politico Patrick Gavin‘s story here.

Find out who else was in the crowd…

continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.