— DIANE CLEHANE

Well, now I've seen everything. When I spotted Todd Palin's picture with his son enjoying Central Park in today's paper I thought, wouldn't it be a kick if Sarah Palin showed up at Michael's today? Turns out she was the only boldface name within 50 miles that wasn't at 55th & Fifth. There was so much power (the real kind, not the kind that gets you a free pair of Jimmy Choos) in the dining room today that I'm surprised the whole place didn't collapse under its own weight. When the front desk got a last minute call that Laura Bush would like to come by for a quick bite, some serious strategizing was needed to keep the captains of industry and media mavens happy while tending to W's missus. Oh, and there was a little party in the back thrown by Peggy Siegal celebrating the premiere of Lifetime's Living Proof which brought out the film's stars Harry Connick Jr. (totally charming), Amanda Bynes (who texted throughout lunch), Renee Zellweger (who exec produced the whole shebang). I chatted with Cosmo editrix Kate White (looking every inch the power gal in red) while I watched Bernadette Peters, Lynn Whitfield, Christiane Amanpour, Karen Duffy, and Trudie Styler file in. Worlds collided when Sharon Bush, who was at the lunch, stopped by on her way out to say hello to Laura. A little birdie told me she didn't get the warmest reception. Perhaps she's heard about Sharon's latest book she's shopping entitled Bushology which I first reported on two weeks ago right here in this column. (Word is there's plenty of dishy dirt served up on its pages.) I checked in with Sharon afterwards, and she told me that wasn't the case at all. In fact, she and Laura had a nice chat about Jenna's wedding. "Laura thanked me for sending a gift," says Sharon, who wasn't invited (divorces can be so messy). "I've known her girls since they were babies." So there. Can you stand all this excitement? I need to go and take a nap...

Here's the rundown on today's crowd:

1. Kathie Lee Gifford looking cougar-ish in a leopard print sheath with her co-host Hoda Kotb (The girls were off to see Forbidden Broadway In Rehab) with Bella star Eduardo Verastegui, producer Sean Wolfington and pals. While I was chatting with 'The Imber Gang' at a nearby table I spotted a beautiful oil painting of Eduardo propped up against the wall. Turns out it was done by none other than Tony Bennett who once did a sketch of Eduardo while we chatted at the very same spot. Just thought you'd like to know...

2. The Imber Gang: Dr. Gerry Imber, Jerry Della Femina, Jeff Greenfield and Andy Bergman. The good doctor gave me a good laugh when, after surveying the crowd, said: "Imagine if they'd gotten a good review!"

3. 'Mayor' Joe Armstrong and Paul Fribourg, chairman of ContiGroup. Joe chatted with Mrs. Bush who gave his signature 'boot' vase (which is always front and center on Joe's table when he's in town) a very Texan thumbs up!

4. Ron Perelman and Vernon Jordan with, we're sure, some other important fellows...

5. First Lady Laura Bush with a table full of well-turned out folks. Steve Millington was nice enough to introduce me to Mrs. Bush who was gracious and lovely. I told her we shared a mutual love of Kennebunkport and we hadn't seen '41' this summer during our annual August sojourn. He's usually out and about all over the charming town. Turns out we missed being there at the same time as '43' and the family by a week. ("We were there early in the month for a cousin's wedding.") When I inquired about the former president's health, she replied, "He's getting around a little slower these days." Here's hoping he's on mend...

6. Esther Newberg and four young gents.

7. Mrs. Bush's staffers and security (Their earpieces gave them away)

8. New York Social Diary's David Patrick Columbia with, we're told, Amelia St. Amand

9. My good pals the fabulous fashionista Fern Mallis and Barbara Randall. After lunch finally broke up, Fern and I braved downtown traffic and shared a cab. Fern, who never misses an important event, told me she was going to the kick-off for the Clinton Global Initiative tonight at MOMA and was going to try to make it to a lecture on giving this afternoon. This tireless champion of NYC and, of course, Seventh Avenue, is a marvel. Where do you find the time?

11. Meredith Brokaw (yes, Tom's wife)

12. Paige Peterson

14. Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Maraniss who seemed more than intrigued by today's eye-popping political scene.

15. John Jacobsen

16. Bettina Zilka

17. Daniel Glass of Artemis Records

18. Former HBO honcho Michael Fuchs

19. My good pal Beverly Camhe with my new pal Myrna Blyth. I asked Bev, a known and very active Democratic booster and Myra, a staunch Republican, if they talked politics over lunch. "Sure," says Bev who could teach those politicos a thing or two about finding common ground. Myrna chimed in: "As long as we keep it light!" When I told Myrna that I was half expecting to see Sarah Palin here today she quipped, "Isn't it amazing that the first woman that could really break the glass ceiling has never had lunch at Michael's?" Well, Election Day is still weeks away so we're keeping our fingers crossed. And: Beverly wants everyone to know that Wyclef Jean gave an impassioned plea in support of the people of Haiti at a dinner last night hosted by Hewlett Packard. The guests, which included BBC's Zenab Badawi, were very moved, says Bev. "I think people are really going to start paying attention to this." No doubt.

20. Democratic strategist Robert Zimmerman with real estate magnate Richmond McCoy, head of UrbanAmerica.

21. Richard Perkins

23. Early shift: John Furth Second seating: Karen Lynn Gorney. Quick pop culture quiz: What iconic seventies pic did the former All My Children star appear in with John Travolta? Answer: Saturday Night Fever. Karen, here's some free advice: You might want to be a little friendlier to fans who still remember you from your movie heyday.

24. Four handsome gents: Skip Orza of RLI Insurance, Jim Walsh of Aon Re, David Riek of Ace Tempest Re and Jim Donovan (full disclosure: my husband) also of Ace Tempest Re. Hope you guys enjoyed today's sideshow ...

25. We don't know who was sitting there today, but Peter Bacanovic was there yesterday ...

26. Ronald Daniel

27. Ed Koller

28. JP Morgan's Jon Coyle

29. Amanda Haines

30. Lark Elliot

Faces in the crowd: When Peggy's lunch broke up we spotted a host of fabulous folks making their way out: People's Samantha Miller (nice to catch up with you!), Michael Musto, Entertainment Weekly's Dave Karger, Frederic Fekkai (toting a briefcase), Ron Insana, Leslie Sloane Zelnick (call me!), Rosanna Scotto, Bonnie Fuller, Majorie Gubelmann. And my fellow diners at the bar: Bette Midler's husband Martin von Haselberg and her daughter (and doppleganger) Sophie.

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