About 15 protestors from the conservative Web site Free Republic raised a fuss outside on a sunny evening, passing out baby pacifiers with “CNN” written on them and carrying signs. One featured a picture of Osama bin Laden and the words: “My best friends are Dana Priest, James Risen, and Eric Lichtblau” (all recently named Pulitzer winners).

Inside, Valerie Plame and husband Joseph Wilson were in the crowd spilling out of the ABC News party (they are guests of the network at the dinner). Plame was pleasant, but asked by E&P why she came tonight she said, “I’m sorry,” adding in mock-red carpet lingo, “I’m wearing Armani.” Her gown was ivory.

Asked what might happen if she met the president, she repeated, “I’m wearing Armani.”

Off that subject, she explained that since leaving the CIA in January she’d een taking care of the couple’s kids. “It’s more fun and more difficult” than working at the agency, she said.

“We thought it would be fun,” she finally said about the dinner. “We look forward to a delightful evening.”
Her husband was a bit more blunt: “We have no reason to hide.” He said some Republicans blamed him for the president’s low approval ratings, but he said that was not his fault, “although I do have a W in my name also.”

George Clooney arrived at the Newsweek party with his newsman father, the pair just back from a trip to Darfur and Chad. Clooney praised New York Times reporter Nick Kristof for raising Darfur issues, and said he would be attending a Sunday rally for Darfur in D.C.

Asked what he thought about Tony Snow taking over as White House press secretary—a hot topic of cocktail chatter—Clooney said “maybe it will help Bush, Tony is very good at what he does.”

Later, Clooney met Snow and told him, “good luck, it’s going to be a wild ride.”

Clooney was also overheard responding when asked about the food in Darfur: "Don’t eat the goat. It took revenge on me.”

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