We felt pretty smug about this as we watched many regular ticket holders get turned away at the door because planners had overbooked the ball. Ah, the perks of the press. Stechert spoke with most of the Maine delegation while I fought through a mosh pit of Republicans jockeying to get close to the stage where Bush spoke and twirled the First Lady around during a quick dance. Since those beginnings, we have become more familiar with the ways of Washington. We have developed relationships with the congressional staffs of the members of Congress we cover.
Some press secretaries blitz our cramped newsroom's fax machine with press releases and information.
Some of them even return our calls. Bellini spoke with Katie Couric while covering an inauguration party. Our Friday afternoon lunches with journalism luminaries are, well, illuminating. We pick the brains of the likes of Ted Koppel, Tim Russert, Helen Thomas and Cokie Roberts. Despite the perks, the work is strenuous and the hours are long.