Photo courtesy of Jimi Celeste

— DIANE CLEHANE

When a little birdy told us to move our weekly visit to 55th & Fifth up a day because Elizabeth Edwards was coming to town, we were more than happy to do so. 'Mayor' Joe Armstrong took time out from working on his upcoming book and jaunts far and wide on behalf of his various philanthropic projects to host one of his legendary lunches today — and it was one for the books. Joe convened a collection of some of his most influential media pals to meet Mrs. Edwards and talk about the issues on the campaign trail. Diane Sawyer, Lesley Stahl, Anderson Cooper, Nora Ephron, Michael Berman (JFK Jr.'s former business partner and co-founder of George) and interior designer Victoria Hagan were on the guest list, as was Elizabeth's lifelong friend, Hargrave McElroy. From where I sat (my usual perch at the bar) Elizabeth looked relaxed and happy. It was clear she enthralled this high powered group from the get-go.

Afterwards, when I asked Anderson Cooper what the group talked about over their salads, the taciturn talking head demurred, "I have to say 'no comment.'" Luckily, the tireless Mrs. Edwards, who Joe was nice enough to introduce to me, was happy to chat. She told me she was feeling "great" after having just flown in from Boston this morning. (She was visiting her daughter Kate who is studying at Harvard). This afternoon she was planning on making a stop in West Virginia for a speaking engagement before finally going home tonight to those adorable tykes Jack and Emma Claire. The woman is a force to be reckoned with!

I had to ask Mayor Joe, who started these lunches at Michael's 10 years ago (hence the title 'Mayor'), if he was endorsing John Edwards for president since he hosted a similar fete for Hillary Clinton on the eve of the announcement of her presidential bid. (He's "a good friend" to both Clintons.) Always the gentleman, Joe said with a smile: "I just want lively, emotional and important discussions at my table." Obviously.

1. 'Mayor' Armstrong, Elizabeth Edwards & the gang

2. Steve Rubenstein.

3. Gerald Schoenfeld.

4. Charlie Rose (who worked the room like nobody's business on his way out) with his lovely young producer whose name we didn't catch.

5. All in The Family: Norman Lear, Rob Reiner (Loved the sneakers!) and two fellows who looked like they'd flown in from the west coast.

6. Dynasty Part II: Nikki Haskell hosted a table full of gal pals that included Joan Collins (who, I'm told, is a regular with husband Percy) and Kelly Day, wife of Robert A. Day, CEO of Trust Company of the West and heir to the Standard Oil Fortune. (Just thought you'd like to know). Maybe it was just me, but seeing Mrs. Day in her pinstriped power suit and fedora seated next to the TV villainess of the 80s gave me a fashion flashback to those glory days when Dynasty was appointment television (Come on admit it, you used to watch it too!).

7. The McCarty Clan: Michael's lovely wife Kim, daughter Clancy and son Chas. By the way, Michael and Kim are hosting what is sure to be a swell soirée next Tuesday night at this very spot in celebration of the publication of Welcome to Michael's (Little, Brown and Company). Anyone who's anyone will be there (but of course you already knew that). Look for a special column — Lunch: The P.M edition — next Wednesday for all the dish.

8. New York Social Diary's David Patrick Columbia.

9. Scribe Shelley Palmer.

11. Catherine Sexton, so we're told.

12. Brooke Duchin & friends.

14. Alice Mayhew.

15. Lew Korman with AMI's David Pecker.

16. Gerry Byrne.

17. Don Epstein.

18. Alan Grubman & Viacom's Philippe Dauman.

20. Lloyd Grove.

21. Matt Hiltzik & Charlie Shuler.

24. Larry Lux.

27. Beverly Camhe.

28. Jean Hoehn Zimmerman.

Please send comments and corrections to DianeClehane AT mediabistro Dot com and lunch at mediabistro DOT com.