The volume of media requests was so high at the Jennifer Aniston Lifetime TV event last night, that included appearances from Dr. Jill Biden, House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), that some outlets were turned away. We’re told those who got the brush off included blogger types and smaller print outlets.

Details on where Aniston was staying were kept close to the vest — like many movie stars she has followers sometimes known as stalkers. Sources said she hadn’t visited Washington in a decade.

The red carpet line began swarming an hour before Aniston was set to arrive. But it was civilized. No fights, pushing, shoving or tense words. Even when the People photog abandoned his assigned spot and partygoers sipping champagne stepped into his space, the scene remained polite.

Media who showed up to the Ronald Reagan Building for the reception, red carpet and screening of FIVE, which Aniston directed, included videographers Elizabeth Glover and Dawne Langford, who were shooting for Insight News and Feature. A slew of photographers and reporters showed up from pubs and outlets such as TIME, People, EXTRA, ABC, NBC News, WJLA, The Hill, Roll Call, Getty Images, AP, SIPA, Retna, Polaris, Wire Image. Inside Edition was a no-show. The usual suspects — Politico‘s Karin Tanabe, WaPo‘s Amy Argetsinger and Washington Examiner‘s Nikki Schwab — were also there along with a new Examiner photographer, a New Zealander, Graeme Jennings. He’s been a photographer for 10 years but getting details out of him is rough — he has private clients he’s worked for that he won’t name and that’s about as much as he wanted to say about anything.

Moving on to the fare. The spread came miniature sized and included fancy cheesecakes in a variety of flavors such as pumpkin and grasshopper (i.e. mint), Cuban sandwiches, and hamburgers.

Notables at the reception included Debbie Dingell, wife of Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), Self Magazine’s Washington Editor Marc Adelman and Brandlink’s Barbara Martin and Jayne Sandman. Others spotted in the crowd: CBS and former FBDCer Christine Delargy, Susan G. Komen’s Kiki Ryan and Tim Burger.

Adelman took pride in attending a Lifetime event. “I am a man who’s proud to love Lifetime,” he gushed. More seriously he added, “I do think people feel that breast cancer has been taken care of, but I think statistics tell a different story. Getting Jennifer Aniston to Washington and Dr. Jill Biden, it’s a substantive, compelling D.C. evening.”

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Had you walked through the doors of the St. Regis Hotel at this time last night, there’s a good chance you would have bumped into Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) making a quick exit from the fete for Bob Schieffer’s 20th anniversary with “Face the Nation.”  But a brush with the House Minority Leader was only an appetizer for the smorgasbord of the bipartisan political power that partied inside the hotel’s Astor Ballroom.  Raising a glass to the legendary newsman were current and former Secretaries of Defense Leon Panetta and Donald Rumsfeld, Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA), Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX), Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) who has appeared on Face the Nation more than any other guest.  Representing the White House were Dag Vega and Jen Psaki.

In his remarks, a flattered Schieffer joked that when he first got to Washington, Republicans and Democrats always attended parties together.  “But now it’s a big deal,” he told the crowded room.

The Washington press corps were also out in full force for Bob’s big night.  Spotted in the crowd were Sally Quinn and Ben Bradlee, Bob Woodward, FNC’s Ed Henry, NBC’s David Gregory and Betsy Fischer, Politico’s Jonathan Martin, Keach Hagey, Mike Allen and Patrick Gavin, Newshour’s Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff, Bloomberg’s Margaret Carlson, NYT’s David Sanger, WaPo’s Roxanne Roberts, and Steve Chaggaris. Rounding out the room were a slew of CBS talent and staff such as former “Face the Nation” EP Carin Pratt and current EP Mary Hager, Rob Hendin,  Kaylee Hartung, Chris Licht, Lara Logan, Jan Crawford, Nancy Cordes, Chip Reid, Bob Orr, Wyatt Andrews, John Dickerson, Christine Delargy, Walt Cronkite (Walter Cronkite’s grandson who now works in the DC bureau), Chris Isham and of course, the evening’s hosts and top network brass Jeff Fager and David Rhodes. Noticeably absent was new CBS News White House correspondent Norah O’Donnell who was in New York City covering the president and UN.

Throughout the evening a video highlighting Bob’s career played in the background – you can check it out here.  And if you missed our must-read interview with Schieffer last week, click here.

Quotes of the Day

Work? Forget it. It’s time to play Ping Pong.

“The ping pong moratorium begins at The Daily Caller. @logicologist @mattklewis @j_strong are beginning their film shoot.” — The Daily Caller Homepage Editor Vince Coglianese in a Monday tweet on a video ping pong contest transpiring between reporters Matt Lewis and Jonathan Strong.

Bureau Chief reaches sad conclusion

“I’ve decided I’m following too many Washington journalists. It’s an echo chamber in here.” — Albuquerque Journal Washington Bureau Chief Michael Coleman in a Tuesday morning tweet.

No more stupid, pointless press releases!

“I didn’t want your press release about a luxury Tribeca loft in the first place. I don’t want your correction to it now.” — Roll Call‘s Ryan Beckwith in a Monday tweet.

Should reporters read commenters?

“If reporters read comments on their stories & took them to heart, they would quit journalism. Oh for a civil debate.” — Former NPR Ombudsman Alicia Shepard in a Monday tweet.

Bio of the Day

CNN’s Athena Jones: “Journalist. Covered 2008 campaign. Spent the early 2000s working for the wires in South America – mostly in Argentina. Music/movie/book junkie.”

“The House servers are crashed.” — MSNBC’s Ed Schultz at 10:50 p.m. Live.

Weigel loves Gaga

We know you’ve been wondering. So here it is. At the moment, the top playing song on Slate‘s Dave Weigel‘s iPod is Lady Gaga’s “The Edge of Glory” from her album Born This Way.

TWT writer sums up Bachelorette

“Ashley has established repeatedly that she lost a lot of weight for this show. Excessive midriffs, mini skirts, bikinis.” — TWT Senior Opinion Page Writer Emily Miller in a Monday night tweet assessing ABC’s “The Bachelorette.” Later, after we inquired who annoying Ashley will end up with she added, “I usually don’t read the spoilers, but Ashley sucks so much that I don’t care. @RealitySteve said it’s JP and they are engaged.”

Debt ceiling standstill causes cell phone nightmare

“Somehow my cell got listed for Sen Shelby’s office. Ringing off hook since Obama’s address. In case you were wondering if it’d have any impact.” — CBS’s Christine Delargy in a Monday night tweet.

A Convo Between Two Journos

Today’s conversation is between Reuters Columnist and CNBC Contributor Jim Tankersley and AP‘s Phillip Elliot.

Jim Tankersley: Tried to burn off my #debtceiling frustration with a 4-mile run. Didn’t help. Phillip Elliot: #14weekstomarathon #boehnertrainer? Jim Tankersley: @Philip_Elliott Does that include smoke breaks every third mile? #boehnertrainer

Unnecessary Tweet of the Day

“@jmestepa I feel for you! Can’t live w/o pantry. Where would I keep my 3 bottles of molasses? #sadbuttrue” — FBDC Reigning Unnecessary Tweet champion Metro Weekly‘s Sean Bugg to Roll Call‘s Jessica Estepa in a Monday night tweet. Estepa earned the Unnecessary Tweet of the Day award for remarking on her lack of a pantry over the weekend.  Estepa’s response late Monday? Just as unnecessary: “I’m just saying, lack of pantry is not fun. Where are all of my baking supplies and canned goods supposed to go now? #dilemma”

QUOTES of the DAY

The Daily Caller‘s Mary Katharine Ham: “4th of July nails. My toes are red.”

Thanksing the Press

“He will thanks [sic] the press and then take a few questions.” — Politico Playbook this morning explaining what Pentagon flack and former ABC Correspondent Geoff Morrell will do when bids everyone farewell today at his final press conference.

Good times: Journo has bright future as chef for drunken, hungry pals

“My drunk roommate assures me that if I fail at journalism, I have a bright future making him scrambled eggs at three in the fucking morning.” — Reason‘s Associate Editor Mike Riggs in a weekend tweet.

Ari warns mainstream press

“Prediction: MSM will try 2 ‘Palin’ Bachmann. Not sure what I think about her yet, but if press is unfair, I’ll like her more.” — Former George Bush Flack Ari Fleischer in a weekend tweet.

Gawking at Bachmann

“Liberals call Bachmann a ‘flake,’ what? She works v.v. hard, passionately and earnestly, to come up with her shit.” — Gawker Political Editor Jim Newell in a weekend tweet.

WaPo scribes are forced to belong to DCCC?

“This is *creative*: @DCCC fundraising e-mail says my membership (4949109!) has expired. Except never had a membership.” — WaPo‘s Aaron Blake in a weekend tweet. To which colleague Dan Balz remarked, “You too?”

The tears for Beck will roll

“If Glenn Beck doesn’t cry on camera this week I’m gonna lose a $10 bet. #FarewellWeek #FoxNews #tcot” — Media Matters’ Eric Boehlert in a weekend tweet. Tonight Boehlert and his colleagues will celebrate Beck’s departure at the MMFA “Bye Bye Beck” party. Beck won’t be there, but we hear they’ll be passing out miniature chalkboards (no, not really, but they could make for nice goody bag gifts.)

The Rambo of Journalism

“Sometimes I’ll write a horrendous email and send it just to use gmail’s undo feature. one day that’s gonna backfire.” — The Onion’s Director of Digital Baratunde Thurston in a weekend tweet. He’s based in Brooklyn, but has been known to frequent D.C.

A convo between one CBS journo and one CBS producer

CBS’s Christine Delargy: “Witnessed history today folks.” (This was in reference to a tweet by CBS White House Radio Correspondent Mark Knoller who reported that this was the first time that POTUS had played golf twice on both Saturday and Sunday in one weekend.)

CBS White House Radio Correspondent Knoller: “Well, you witnessed the motorcade, not the round of golf.”

Delargy: “One helluva motorcade @markknoller. Even gave you a shout-out in one of my pool notes today.”

Daredevil dog, courtesy of Foreign Policy

Terrorism has gone to the dogs: ForeignPolicy.com Deputy Managing Editor Rebecca Frankel‘s photo essay about the kick-ass canines known as “war dogs”  went viral yesterday when it was discovered that one of the subjects of her ongoing feature helped take down Osama bin Laden. Fun Fact:  Did you know that in early 2010, the U.S. Army had over 2,800 active-duty dogs deployed?  Don’t miss FP’s amazing stories and photo gallery dedicated to these patriotic pooches.

Happy Hour: Christine Delargy finally proved her theory that ‘weeknight boozing’ and ‘winning the day’ are directly related.  While partaking in an after-work libation at Morton’s last night, the CBSer spotted one John Boehner smoking a few cigs and enjoying a bottle of red wine.  The result of the random encounter was today’s scoop that the Speaker of the House chose not to watch the first GOP presidential debate.

Huckabee Hoopla: On May 5th, RCP’s Erin McPike reported that Fox News brass gave former Governor Mike Huckabee, a contributor to the network,  until the end of the month to decide whether he will retain his contract or make a run for the presidency.  In response to the story, Fox News VP Bill Shine issued a statement saying, “There’s no truth whatsoever to this report.”  Today, RCP’s Carl Cannon fired back in defense of McPike.

While attendees at another post-WHCD party struggled to gain admittance due to their host’s chronic and unapologetic guest list failures, MSNBC’s guests breezed though check-in and down a sprawling red carpet to the Italian Embassy.  Rather than watching celebrities make their way to an isolated VIP space, MSNBC’s guests rubbed elbows with the likes of Glee’s Jayne Lynch, SNL’s Andy Samberg, Valerie Jarrett, Meghan McCain, Eliot Spitzer, Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ), Bristol Palin with aunt Molly McCann and Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL).

Perhaps the weekend’s best event, MSNBC’s soiree drew a huge array of journalists – many from competitive networks.   CNN was represented by Ed Henry and Shirley Hung Henry, Edie Emery, Peter Hamby, Mark Whitaker, Sam Feist, Roland Martin, David Bohrman, and Christa Robinson.  We spotted ABC’s Rick Klein, Jim Sciutto and Polson Kanneth, as well as CBS’s Christine Delargy.  Fox News anchor Bret Baier was there.   And so was Greta Van Susteren who made quite an entrance when she and husband John Coale appeared with Todd and Sarah Palin.  The family Palin was swarmed by cameras and party-goers only moments before Cee Lo Green took the stage to perform a short set including his hit song “F**k You.”  As Palin posed for what seemed like thousands of photos, Todd, Bristol and Molly conversed with the hoards of guests who circled their table in the room’s far corner.

“We’re still getting used to this,” Sarah’s sister Molly admitted to FishbowlDC.  “I find it kind of exciting but I’m not around it all the time,” she added.

As we turned away, we nearly bumped into WaPo‘s Ezra Klein who was doing a drive-by “Mean Girls” impression.  The liberal blogger laughed out loud and rolled his eyes as he passed by Palin-palooza.  Back on the dance floor, another former governor was getting a different kind of attention from one Kiki Ryan.  The fearless reporter’s blonde ambition must have been in overdrive on Saturday because we hear she tried to persuade Eliot Spitzer to shake his groove thing.  He kindly declined:

From @burgerinfo:
@keeekster(@Italian Em):Mr. Spitzer,would you like to dance?
Spitzer: Dancings not really my forte
@keeekster:Thats not what I hear #winning

Besides our favorite celebrity bartender and TV host Rachel Maddow who spent the evening slinging drinks, NBCers like Luke Russert, Kelly O’Donnell, Domenico Montanaro, Phil Griffin, Tanya Hayre, Ed Schultz, Dylan Ratigan, Erika Masonhall, Betsy Fischer, Savannah Guthrie and Contessa Brewer were among the guests gifted Starbucks swag, a slice of pizza and bottle of Fiji as they left the fete in the morning’s wee hours.

Mary Kathryn Covert and Michael Steel

On Saturday afternoon, hundreds of celebrities, journos and politicos packed the nine bedroom, 7,000 square foot mansion of businessman and Washington Kastles owner Mark Ein.  The former residence of legendary publisher Katherine Graham, the historic Georgetown home (sold in 2002 for $8 million) provided a picture-perfect setting for the annual garden brunch co-hosted by Tammy Haddad, Ted Greenberg, Kevin Sheekey, Hilary Rosen, Mark Ein, Alex Castellanos, Anita Dunn, Bill Knapp, Jim Courtovich, David Adler, Steve McMahon and Franco Nuschese. Honorary chairs Wendy Murdoch and Susan Axelrod added a charitable component to the event which benefited CURE Epilepsy and the White Ribbon Alliance.

Journos enjoying mimosas, greyhounds and bloodies packed several tiers of decks behind the home and trickled off into the backyard for a little fresh air.  The sprawling estate provided plenty of hiding spots for celebrity guest who would have been forced to mingle more openly at Haddad’s home – the previous venue for the brunch.  Spotted through a cracked VIP room door (new this year) were Chace Crawford and Maria Bello.  We bumped into the Palin family, Jeremy Piven, Tim Daly and Morgan Fairchild mixing with the “commoners” outdoors and caught up with Chelsea Handler who breezed into the brunch about 20 minutes before it ended.  Representing the political elite were Susan and David Axelrod who shared their daughter’s struggles with epilepsy, White House communications gurus Jen Psaki and Dan Pfeiffer, Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL), Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY), Ebs Burnough, Boehner spokesman Michael Steel and McCarthy spokeswoman Erica Elliott.

The list of journo attendees was unwieldy but we owe a special shout out to Patrick Gavin‘s pants that seemed to mock the day’s cause (*see seizure-worthy pattern) and wife Anne Bracken Gavin who looked stunning and svelte after giving birth to the couple’s first child only a few weeks ago.

L to R: Anne Bracken Gavin, Patrick Gavin, David Axelrod

Bloomberg’s Phil Mattingly and Erica Elliott, press secretary for Rep. Kevin McCarthy (CA-22)

L to R: Tammy Haddad, Slice, Pam Dornic, Glenn Ballard, Christine Delargy and Topspin.

From L to R: Budding Fashion Reporters Jocelyn Luddy and Reilly Folsom.

WHCA President David Jackson (USA Today) and NYT’s Mark Leibovich

What’s a party with Washington’s media elite without bourbon, beer, wine, Food Truck quality mac ‘n cheese and 11-year-old fashionistas to put guests in the hot seat?

The view from the American Gas Association offered guests a perfect shot of the Capitol. The crowd at last night’s WHCD party thrown by QGA and FD blended White House correspondents like CNN’s Ed Henry, Ebony‘s Kevin Chappell, The Hill‘s Sam Youngman and USA Today‘s David Jackson , USA Radio Network’s Connie Lawn, and Politico’s Julie Mason with Fortune‘s Tory Newmyer, Politico‘s Amie Parnes, RealClearPolitics‘ Erin McPike, Roll Call‘s John Stanton and NYT‘s Carl Hulse. Let’s just get one thing straight: NYT‘s Mark Leibovich has heard all the “bcc” jokes out there. And yours will not be special. Welcome to the first party leading into WHCD weekend.

The food was catered by D.C. food trucks of lore CapMac and Sauca and guests were dying over the mac ‘n cheese. Dessert was Good Humor ice cream bars from a cart complete with an umbrella. One partygoer remarked that the party could have been held on an outside corner. But a party outside wouldn’t have allowed for the two-station open bar, where bartenders made unsolicited repeat drinks for many of the journos. One guest called one of the bartenders “the motherf*cking man.”

Other guests in the crowd: QGA’s Jack Quinn and wife, Susanna, FD’s Jackson Dunn, Stacey Bowlin, Jared Allen and Mary Kathryn Cover, Terry McAuliffe, QGA and FBDC’s Matt Dornic, WaPo‘s Amy Argetsinger, SELF’s Marc Adelman, Pamela Sorensen of Pamela’s Punch, The Hill‘s Christina Wilkie and Emily Goodin, CNN Publicist Edie Emery and Megan Grant and TWT’s Emily Miller.

Miller said WHCD week makes her feel like an awkward teenager. “It brings out the worst 16-year-old in me,” Miller said, explaining that her worries go like this: ‘”Why wasn’t I invited to that party?’ or ‘Was I too fat for this dress?’” She adds, “At least I was invited to the pre-pre-pre-pre-pre party.”

The fashionistas at the party were Jocelyn Luddy (daughter to Jack and Susanna) and her friend, Reilly Folsom, who were testing out their journalistic skills by interviewing female party guests and Adelman. They’re trying out for a fashion blog out of San Fran called StyleBistro.com. They asked their subjects questions about what uniform they’d want for work if they had to have one and what styles they missed and didn’t.

The girls in flowered skirts and white T-shirts weren’t amateurs. They had practiced their questions for days. They cajoled by saying funny things like, “Come on, I want all the deets.” As the pair interviewed USA Today‘s Jackie Kucinich, the whole scene became so focused that photographers like Roll Call‘s Tom Williams began snapping pictures of the interview. Afterwards, Kucinich and Argetsinger (also interviewed by the girls) second-guessed their answers that involved Pappagallo purses and culottes.

Alec Jacob contributed to this report.

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QUOTES of the DAY

We knew CNN Senior White House Correspondent Ed Henry wouldn’t be able to resist a beautiful spring sunset. He writes on Twitter Wednesday evening, “Spring has arrived in DC.”

When life imitates art

“As they say in ‘The American President,’ avoid Dupont Circle” — CBS’s Christine Delargy in a Wednesday tweet.

Hayes is the Warrior

“Headed out on training ride for the Warrior 100k next week w/GW Bush & wounded vets. Learn more here.” — The Weekly Standard‘s Stephen Hayes in a Wednesday tweet. about a three-day mountain bike ride in the Big Bend to honor those who were wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is part of former President George W. Bush‘s Social Enterprise Initiative.

Freshman Lawmakers: ‘In Vogue?’

“Freshmen are usually low on the totem pole. But the 85 first-term Republicans in the House of Representatives find themselves awash in invitations for meetings and morning coffees with the creme de la creme of Washington and Wall Street. Reuters reporters Tim Reid and Rachelle Younglai report today that the freshmen are in vogue because their fiscally conservative views could determine the outcome of the upcoming vote to raise America’s debt ceiling.” — An excerpt from the Wednesday edition of Reuters‘ Washington Extra.

The Critic

“If Obama’s answer to this question were a Facebook post I would have stopped reading by now. Too long.” — HuffPost‘s Sam Stein in a Wednesday tweet.

A journo relaxes

“Beautiful evening for a long walk.” — TWT‘s Kara Rowland in a Wednesday tweet.

QUOTES of the DAY

Declaration of the Evening

“I’m honored to be a fake one of you.” The last line of Larry Wilmore‘s speech at the Congressional Correspondents’ Dinner last night. He’s a comedian correspondent on The Daily Show.

Piers likes Charlie

“I do like him. He hasn’t killed anyone. He’s not a Nazi. Guy likes to party.” — CNN’s Piers Morgan at above dinner last night when pressed by FBDC on whether he went too easy on Charlie (pronounced Chah-lee in British-speak) Sheen in his recent interview with the actor.

Ouch.

“I would rather be lying in my bed. This is supposed to be the junior prom to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner but this was more like a middle school dance.” — CBS’s Christine Delargy at Wednesday night’s Congressional Correspondents’ Dinner after party.

Journos’ constant refrain…“If you really are using anything, I would very much appreciate you NOT using my name.”

Roland plans prom attire

“It will be an Ascot, but it will be something different.” — TV host Roland Martin at the Congressional Correspondent’s dinner last night on what he’ll don to the upcoming White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. He wasn’t wearing his traditional ascot last night, but instead a black, custom-made Chinese frock.

A journo waxes poetic

“A cloudy, blue gray dawn – the color of slate- washes over the Potomac River as crew teams row beneath Memorial Bridge. Good morning DC.” — NBC Washington’s Jim Long in a Thursday morning tweet.

Scribe handles meaty issue

“PETA wants San Francisco to change name of Tenderloin neighborhood to Tempeh District. Tempeh is soy-based meat substitute #HotlineSort” — NJ‘s Executive Editor of the “The Hotline” Reid Wilson in a Thursday morning tweet.