By special request.
White House Meets with Favored Sons
First Gentleman Anderson Cooper stopped in New York on his way home from Baghdad to meet with White House Special Correspondent, Jon Stewart. Video available here. This meeting marks the first time in the Clooney administration that the First Gentleman has availed himself to his longtime best friend.
According to inside reports, the twosome had a falling out after the president was elected, because Stewart had long harbored fantasies of being First Gentleman himself. Readers of this column will remember the 2006 Academy Awards, presented by Stewart, in which the comedian made his feelings about the then-actor relatively plain, even going so far as to tape a fantasy sequence featuring Clooney and himself in bed. Video available here
Sources say that after this public display, Cooper forbade Clooney from meeting with Stewart, an ultimatum the now-president repeatedly ignored during his presidential campaign. Most notably during the interview where Stewart referred to Clooney as 'man-meat.' Video available here
Meanwhile, back on Capitol Hill, the President and the Vice President were preparing for the annual State of the Union address by meeting with the head White House speechwriter, Stephen Colbert. According to those in the know, Colbert was recommended to the presidential staff by Stewart and is well liked by the president for his take-no-prisoners manner.
One wonders if Colbert will include jokes about the President's recent secret lunches with long-time ex-partner, Brad Pitt. Tongues wagged after this paparazzi photo was published, depicting the President (resplendent in an ensemble chosen by his stylist/mother-in-law, Gloria Vanderbilt) leaving a restaurant with Pitt (outfit by Tony B. of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn).
When questioned by the press, the President insisted he and Pitt were discussing the improving situation in Darfur. First Gentleman Anderson Cooper could not be reached for comment. Anonymous sources in the White House say things are a bit frosty between the First Couple. "Anderson's been giving George the Ice-Cold Stare, and believe me, you don't want to be on the receiving end of that."
*Additional reporting by correspondent chicklet_girl