Bush's Depressing Goodbye Party: One Staffer Gets Job At Abercrombie

Washington DC's social scene is in full swing this weekend, with events and galas and fetes and soirees and makeout sessions between Christopher Hitchens and Andrew Sullivan. It's a level of excitement that Washington only occasionally sees. But it's not just the inauguration of Barack Obama that people are celebrating -- it's also the end of the Bush administration, and Sunday night, President Bush and his friends celebrated the end of his term with a party of their own at Glen Echo Park. Slate went, for some reason, and their account makes the whole thing sound like the most depressing event in the world.

The party, dubbed "Crossing the Finish Line" and held in the park's giant Spanish Ballroom, was organized by outgoing White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and his predecessor, Andy Card.

The venue had been somewhat controversial, according to attendees. There was no heating, so a lot of bodies were needed. "Due to the historic nature of the venue, there are limitations on what can be done in terms of climate control," the hosts warned in an e-mail. "DO: Wear layers and coats. DON'T: Dress like you're going to Gold Cup or Smith Point."

Apparently some of the more climate-controlled venues had been taken. "There weren't a lot [of places] available," said Card. "There weren't a lot of bands available, either."

So, basically, everyone was rubbing against each other for warmth and totally unemployed. Just contemplate the multitudes that are contained in this single depressing sentence: "One outgoing Treasury employee had already landed a job as a manager at Abercrombie & Fitch." The Great Gatsby could have ended with that line.

Anyway, there they all mingled, freezing their asses off, as Karl Rove talked about Twitter, Alberto Gonzalez walked around with a bloodshot eye, and the president mangled some more grammar.

Look, people, if you are out the next two days, and you see these mopes walking all despondent down the street, for God's sake, take them out a plate of canapes or something and call it national service. Then wish them luck at their new jobs, folding on, sweaters against the sale rack, borne back ceaselessly into the past.

Comments

[BushIsAWarCriminal]

The War Criminal has left the building. It is a great day for America.

[booboo111]

and don't let the door hit you in the a-s-s on the way out.

[CALBearman]

I have to us a quote by George Bush, and use it to say Goodbye to this jerk and his VP, what's his name. 'Good riddance, the world will be better off without them.'

[bettybp]

Bush's Depressing Goodbye Party - that must be an oxymoron, it just does not compute. At long last, the 8 yr. Reign of Terror is over! We watched today until his helicopter took off!

[samper]

That helicopter taking off was the BEST part of the whole day!!!! Well, maybe the landing in TX, far far away, was just as good.

[ckinsobe]

That helicopter should have flown him straight to Gunatanamo to be held as an enemy combatant.

[susanava]

His primary rules were: never allow the public to cool off; never admit a fault or wrong; never concede that there may be some good in your enemy; never leave room for alternatives; never accept blame; concentrate on one enemy at a time and blame him for everything that goes wrong; people will believe a big lie sooner than a little one; and if you repeat it frequently enough people will sooner or later believe it.


Who is this describing?

[Colmore]

Too bad their "daddys" could not help them find jobs, like Georgie's always has for his entire life.

[seattledemocrat]

Payback for dissing the Obama's by not letting them move into Blair House because the former PM of Australia was using it. Don't let the helicopter door slam you in the back side on your way out!!

[samper]

Blair House has like 100 rooms... they could have all been there together and never seen each other! TOTAL dis of Obama. They KNEW the kids needed to start school and STILL booked it for an EX PM OF Australia!!! EX prime minister! Shameful.

[wyntka]

Where will Monica Goodling land? A good christian workplace I hope, with daily prayers in the staff meeting, and no concern for any of those annoying commands from Jesus to love the poor and heal the sick.

[CussingNews]

This is a totally classless post. Notice how John and Cindy McCain are gracious in defeat and how you all are absolutely hideous in victory. YOU SIR ARE CLASSLESS.

[skippyB]

Do define CLASS for us.

[DrDemon]

W
H
A
TEVER!

[MsAttitude]

Good bye Bush, hello Socialism!

[RoseBlue]

Nope. Goodbye siphoning off the public wealth to line the pockets of your fat cat buddies. If the end of that means socialism, bring 'er on.

[samper]

Just remember about your hatred of socialism when they try sending your social security checks to you. I fully expect you to send them back saying you don't want a SOCIAL program supporting you.

[samper]

I hit the wrong "reply" thingy... obviously, my comment was meant for Ms. Attitude!

[jnratliff]

You welcomed socialism when you vote for bush!

[swift goat pet for truth]

Take a look at that Medicare Bill the GOPers passed?
It is the BIGGEST socialist program ever.

[socialmistfit]

I am celebrating the beginning of a new pinata to hit around just like vitriolic libs did to Bush for the last seven years. My lunch tasted better today knowing that I can spoon feed the angry children of the left their own medicine for four years.

[novowel4me]

It worked so well during the campaign.

[robertny49]

Since we now have a President who cares about the people not merely the rich and powerful and since we now have a President who will follow the Consitution instead of trampling it, I think you job is alot tougher than ours was - jerk!

[Daddyjim]

LOL...
You don't know this. All you know is what he has said and truthfully, lets see how things are in 100 days. My guess is they won't be better, they may be worse and everybody will whine because that is our nature. Oh and by the way, Until we stop making amendments to the constitution for benefit of the few, No politician living is following the constitution.

[Garrett123]

Dude, have you ever once in your life tried to not whine, I can still hear your sobbing echoes about how much you despise Clinton.
Try to grow up, it feels good, whining causes cancer.

[wookierage]

try eight years.
no make that 40 years, that's how long it will take the american people to forget how miserable republicans are. if you want any indication, reflect a bit on the timespan between 1933 (FDR first term) and 1952 (start of eisenhower era).

have fun!

[socialmistfit]

I'm betting four years. He has made too many promises and he is starting at below ground zero (pun intended).

Prior to Obama, Johnson was the last real demo to be elected with a signficant popular vote. Carter got 51%. Clinton won with 42% and won only because independent Ross Perot got 16%. You libs want to think this is some bigger win that validates your losing ideology. Obama won because moderates were angry about the economy, and as is always the case, blamed the Party in the Whitehouse. Guess which Party will be in the Whitehouse 4 years from now when the economy still sucks?

It will be fun!

[RoseBlue]

Ahhh! You cursed brats! Look what you've done! I'm melting, melting. What a world, what a world. Who would have thought that some little lefties like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness.

[swift goat pet for truth]

And a song dedication for Mr. Bush:

Linda Ronstadt's "You're No Good"

[wookierage]

I prefer "Goodbye to You" by Scandal.

[lovingpolitics]

THANK GOD HE'S GONE!!!!!!!!!!

[Tulka2]

"The dust bin of history" is a good phrase. The were wrong about EVERYTHING.

[Big0725]

That's funny!

[mollysgran]

Gee, "out in the cold" ----- just like I have felt for 8 years, only without the canapes.

[bubbepenny]

i hope that the next time we see these "folks" are at the accountability hearings at the department of justice.