As the White House State Dinner really works, with or without Gatecrasher!

Are you curious how a state dinner really work? Who does what, how you plan to get on the guest list, decorations, like the door to work - because we can see what happens when you do not?

When we finally shot the Real Housewives episode continues this week with her ​​two hours came the "reunification", we can finally see what Tareq and Michaele Salahi, unhappy to have to say about their trip, the White House in November last year, and what thehousewives others think. Eleven months ago, and we're still talking about it. Why? Because of their pure and simple, without flinching, without hesitation, inexorably, ... Nerve. (You thought I'd use a different word is it not?)

Everyone is asking what happened and how it happened, I'll break here, and I am uniquely qualified to do this because I'm the only person in history to these events for eight years of work. While the office has the primary responsibility for onlineState dinners, I was led to the design and implementation of many of the events at the White House to find. There are no online voicemail or online employees who have worked so long.

Here's how it begins: with a section on coordinating the White House, between the state and the country honored. Last November, it was India. Once the date is set, usually months in advance, the program starts, largely dictated by Guest list. You see, you can only place 130 people in the State Dining Room. Perhaps it sounds like a lot of you (or me, for that matter), but not nearly enough seats for a state dinner. After all, when the president travels, he can talk to Buckingham Palace, where Queen Square 300, or the Kremlin, where he sits up to 400 guests for dinner. As you can respond with only 130 seats?

The list starts with the President and First Lady, Senior White> Staff House, the guests of honor and its officials. This is perhaps thirty or forty people. Then there are the members of Congress whose committees are charged with the glory land, and their spouses. A few key congressional staff. And the spouses. You are now about fifty - or more. Some prominent members of the press who write about international affairs. And do not forget swell friends and supporters of the President, thank you expect invitations to WhiteHouse of events like these. And the "potential" friends and supporters of the president must be in court for the future - the White House is a legendary place in the country to make friends and wonderful people, and all the more successful presidents and first ladies would understand.

You can really fill a room with just this game, but be careful if you want! It would have been the most boring imaginable. Really Snooze City!

You must add the propermovie stars and music, the champion athlete, the brilliant writer and poet, designers and other creative people that sparkle, wit, learning, fun and just beyond, the party - as it is a party, after all!

So, next thing you know, it is impossible to keep the list of 130. So now what? Well, you can move the party room in the East and a few tables, but it is difficult for the East Room and the kitchen is usually where the conversation is.Hmmmm.

In the Clinton White House, we have solved this dilemma by providing a tent on the lawn south. The sockets do not need because they were happy with the dinner small. The Obamas clearly have embraced the concept of a broader and more inclusive, using a lot of tents. Well, when I say "tent" you can get an idea of ​​some tents have seen somewhere. Forget it. The only thing these tents next to a hangar. Yes, that's great. But there seems to be a hangar. E 'setworld-renowned designer with the most beautiful flowers and chandeliers hang from the ceiling and set spotlights illuminate each table. White House China appears everywhere. Perhaps the First Lady decided to use the cutlery of vermeil (gold overlay on silver). The White House does not have a lot of laundry, the rent will have more options. The result is dramatic and so beautiful that visitors often out of breath when they enter the room.

But we were talking about the ratingList!

The Social Secretary General sends a message to leaders asking them to give suggestions for names on the list. There are many meetings in the office to discuss them online - which is to be the definitive event for this list that can act as a home waiting for White, another dinner, only inappropriate as a guest at. had (Like the time someone suggested that I just made a guest rated NC17 has produced a movie, and that was on TV asking young people have been sneakingto see in theaters. Ugh!) 'S all in the game, up to a month if the list go "final" and invitations.

Aaah, the calls! This is the crux of the situation Salahi, right? The White House has a staff of four calligraphers, and can help the extension, if necessary. The invitations are beautiful, with golden seal of the President at the top. Also in the envelope, the answer a reply card with the "social secretary just to request wordsConvenience with the names, Social Security number and date of birth for you and your guests. "If the Salahis had indeed received an invitation, were known to do so.

This does not mean that people are sometimes invited at the last minute - do. Like any great party, sometimes there are changes (though etiquette, says the only acceptable reason for an inadequate an invitation to take the Presidential Suite in death or serious illness.) But if there is anything in the last minuteEmergency. Her husband broke his leg and can not on a level with you. What then? Well, you can access to the office in line so that they know, and politely ask if you can bring another guest as your son or daughter (assuming they are not kids!)

So it is true that sometimes people do not have the invitation would be real "on the list." Therefore, every person I've heard the White House sends a staff - or more staff - the gate with a clipboard and mostupdated the list updated. And there is another important reason for this, one that I never even heard of each other experts: I think it's a real shame if the people greeting the first guests for dinner at the White House security staff. Really. Nothing against the skilled and dedicated men and women of the Uniform Division of the United States Secret Service. I love 'em. Yesterday at work with them. But the White House is not an airport! The first face you see should notSecurity!

The first face you see this should be an interesting and competent member of the Social Democratic and Visitors Bureau staff to smile and say, "Oh, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, welcome to the White House and leave! Me just check your name from the list then please do so in this step for safety. The President and First Lady are looking forward to see you! "And they all walk through the magnetometer, and all is well.

Salahi is the story is so funny.And 'the next e-mail disclosed by the woman at the Department of Defense clear that they had asked for help, said he was not at full capacity of their invited. They went anyway. And the rest of the story is really shocking. Because they are attractive, upper class looked and dressed appropriately, he said, apparently on their way past the Secret Service. This is quite incredible. Especially because all the officers had to settle for a phone call! Really. Each person in the online was working forEvent and each of them, including the Social Action, he wore a cell phone, BlackBerry, pager, radio - somehow in touch with everyone else waiting. Why not make a call? It 'weird. So unlucky. Especially since the two officers were suspended.

And here's another reason that staff at the gate: it is unfair to the secret services in order to decide the location, who and who does not have a guest of the President. This is what the staff is doing. Employees cansomeone say, "Sorry, but you're not on the list for today's event." Then, if necessary, USSS back with some authority.

So if, like me, you expected to see the last episode of Real Housewives DC, to see what really happened, at least now you know how it will be done!

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