My Saturday Night With Bill and Helen

I got to sit at the big kids table on Saturday night.

That’s what collaborating on a children’s book with Helen Thomas will get you. I Introduced Helen who was honored by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. Bill Clinton was the keynote speaker. I have to admit he was pretty impressive.  No notes, no teleprompter and a typically Clintonian range of subject matter.

Seated at the head table were Clinton, Congressmen Dingle and Moran, Mary Rose Okar, Dr. Jack Shaheen, Helen, the Saudi ambassador, the Syrian ambassador, Craig Crawford, and….me.  Didn’t notice many republicans among the cast of over 1000.

I had a cool presentation all mapped out.  Make a sketch of Clinton projected on a screen and claim that I’m a little nervous – saying that I heard it helps to think of members of the audience in their underwear – and draw Clinton in a thong. All the while I’d be all sweaty standing right next to him. He ruined my plans by leaving right after his speach.  I drew him anyway in boxers.

Then after making a big deal about her long career, I drew Helen questioning George Washington.