Excerpts From President Obama's Remarks, 99th Annual Alfalfa Club Dinner

The White House on Sunday released tidbits from President Obama's remarks at the 99th Annual Alfalfa Club Dinner, held Saturday night at the Capital Hilton by the exclusive members-only social club for the nation's elite. Over a dinner of Lobster and Filet Mignon, the President joked about his reputation, crooner Al Green, and his "We Can't Wait" campaign.  He ribbed club members Warren Buffett, House Speaker John Boehner, seated at the head table, and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

"One of my big goals this year was to get out and be among everyday, ordinary Americans -- like the men and women of the Alfalfa Club," President Obama quipped to his audience of billionaires and powerbrokers.

The black-tie event was closed to press. First Lady Michelle Obama accompanied her husband as a noisy protest from Occupy DC went on for hours outside the hotel, which included a human blockade to prevent guests from entering the party, and throwing glitter bombs at fancily dressed VIPs.

"It is great to be here tonight, because I have about 45 more minutes on the State of the Union that I’d like to deliver tonight," President Obama opened.

"You've heard it from the pundits: "Obama is cloistered in the White House." "He's aloof." "He's in the bubble." "He's not connecting,"" the President said. "And that’s why one of my big goals this year was to get out and be among everyday, ordinary Americans -- like the men and women of the Alfalfa Club."

The hundreds of Occupy DC protesters were making this same point outside of the hotel, shouting "shame! shame! shame!" as they noted that the dinner is for the 1% of powerbrokers they decry as having ruined the US economic system. Protesters threw glitter bombs at arriving guests, and created a human blockade to try to prohibit entrance.

"At least my harshest critics can agree I have a promising future -- as a Al Green impersonator," President Obama said.

The President sang a few bars of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" at a campaign fundraiser in New York two weeks ago, causing an almost 500% rise in the sales of Green's single.

The Alfalfa Club annually nominates a member to serves as President, and this year it was Jeb Bush, who visited the President on Friday at the White House, joined by his father, former President George H. W. Bush, also a member guest at the dinner.

"It is great to see Jeb Bush, who is accepting a nomination for President tonight," President Obama said. "I have to say, though, it's not fair to tease your friends like that."

President Obama has engaged in a series of Executive actions to continue his agenda without Congress, and Boehner heard about it.

"And Speaker Boehner, it is good to see you at the head table. I know how badly Eric Cantor wanted your seat. But, John, I want you to know: I am eager to work with members of Congress to be entertaining tonight. But if Congress is unwilling to cooperate, I will be funny without them."

Warren Buffett's secretary, Debbie Bosanek, has become the face of President Obama's campaign to reform tax law, after he proposed "The Buffett Rule" last September, following an op-ed from Buffett in which the billionaire opined that he paid a lower tax rate than his underling.

"I’d like to acknowledge a very good friend of mine -- Warren Buffet’s secretary’s boss is in the house," President Obama said.

Bosanek was seated in the First Lady's Box during the State of the Union Address.

The President had a few serious moments in his speech.

“Let us never forget the extraordinary privilege that we share as Americans, and the responsibility that we all have, as leaders, to the continued success of this country that’s made so many of our stories possible,” he said.

Guests spotted on the red carpet entering the dinner included tech entrepreneur Steve Case; Sen. John Kerry (D-MA); Sen. Pat Leahy (D-VT); and Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr.. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) was among those who got glitter-bombed by Occupy DC as he crossed the street to get to the red carpet with companions. (Above: A photo of the Alfalfa Dinner entree, tweeted by Chef José Andrés, a guest at the dinner)

There are about 200 current Alfalfa Club members, who include Colin Powell, Madeleine Albright, Tom Daschle, Newt Gingrich, Alan Greenspan, Vernon Jordan Jr., and Steve Forbes. The Alfalfa Club was founded in 1913, with its primary function being to celebrate the birthday of Confederate Civil War General Robert E. Lee (born Jan. 19, 1807). The annual dinner is its only event, and is held on the last Saturday in January each year. The club didn't admit African Americans as members until 1974, and women had to wait until 1994.

President Obama last attended the Alfalfa Club dinner in 2009.

"This dinner began almost one hundred years ago as a way to celebrate the birthday of General Robert E. Lee," President Obama said in 2009. "If he were here with us tonight, the General would be 202 years old. And very confused."

The name of the club comes from the alfalfa plant's reputation of doing anything for a drink.

*Entree photo by José Andrés; top photo by AP

On The Menu As President, First Lady Attend Alfalfa Club Dinner: VIPS, Filet Mignon & Protest

UPDATE: EXCERPTS FROM OBAMA'S REMARKS
Hundreds of members of Occupy DC held a large, noisy protest in front of the Capital Hilton on Saturday night, but it didn't prevent President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama from arriving on time for the 99th Annual Alfalfa Club Dinner. An exclusive organization with members from America's 1% power elite, the Alfalfa Club exists for the sole purpose of hosting the affair on the last Saturday of every January. As is always the case, the dinner was closed to media, who were not allowed to hear President Obama make his comedic remarks. The President's pool, held far away from the action, had just one glimpse of Mrs. Obama all night; she wore a floor-length gown in red. (Above: Mrs. Obama in a red gown at a 2011 black tie affair; it is one of her favorite colors)

Among the moguls and politicos spotted on the red carpet, held under a white tent in front of the hotel and away from the protest: President G. H. W. Bush and his son Jeb Bush, former Governor of Florida, who visited with the President on Friday afternoon at the White House, as well as President George Bush; President Obama's favorite billionaire, Warren Buffett; tech entrepreneur Steve Case; Sen. John Kerry (D-MA); Sen. Pat Leahy (D-VT); and Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr.. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) was among those who got glitter-bombed by members of Occupy DC as he crossed the street to get to the red carpet with companions (video below).

The Alfalfa Dinner menu is always the same...
Acclaimed DC chef José Andrés was one of the few guests who tweeted about the event, which included tweeting to Obama Foodorama the photo, above, of his entree. It was a rare Filet Mignon and vegetables; the Alfalfa Club Dinner menu is the same each year, and also includes Lobster.

"At the Alfalfa club dinner.....one unique experience...i feel like Forrest Gump," Andrés tweeted as he entered the dinner.

His next tweet read "now they say that if you tweet they throw you out....." And then after the dinner Andrés sent the entree photo, noting : "im breaking the rules? You owe me one." Andrés hosted Mrs. Obama and a party of pals at his Oyamel restaurant in DC on Friday night.

President attended dinner in 2009...
The Alfalfa Club was founded in 1913, with its primary function being to celebrate the birthday of Confederate Civil War General Robert E. Lee (born Jan. 19, 1807). The club didn't admit African Americans as members until 1974, and women had to wait until 1994.

"This dinner began almost one hundred years ago as a way to celebrate the birthday of General Robert E. Lee," President Obama said in 2009. "If he were here with us tonight, the General would be 202 years old. And very confused."

There are about 200 current Alfalfa Club members, which include Colin Powell, Madeleine Albright, Tom Daschle, Newt Gingrich, Buffett, Alan Greenspan, Vernon Jordan Jr., and Steve Forbes. Gingrich did not attend this evening; he's campaigning in Florida. Former Presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon were members, as are the Bushes. The Alfalfa Club's name is a reference to the plant's supposed willingness to do anything for a drink.

The President and Mrs. Obama arrived at 7:02 PM and were back at the White House by 9:25 PM. They traveled the very short distance from the Capital Hilton to the White House in a 16-vehicle motorcade, which dropped them off and picked them up beneath the white tent in front of the hotel. The President's press pool enjoyed a sandwich buffet at the hotel, heavy on roast beef and turkey, as they were held far away from the action.

The 99% protest the 1%...
Thanks to the Occupy DC protest, there was a heavy security presence, which included police on horseback, street closures and barricades. Protesters carried banners and signs, and some women stripped off their shirts so they could not be touched by police. The protest was much tweeted, and there was a livestream of the action. Occupy DC has been given until Monday by District officials to vacate two encampments, both located within blocks of the White House. The National Park Service is scheduled to dismantle the encampments. (Above: Police on horseback face the Occupy protesters)

The video below, from Occupy DC, shows Sen. Lieberman getting glitter bombed as protesters shout "shame shame shame!" The protest delayed but did not prevent guest arrivals.



Occupy DC protesters were last out in force in front of the White House on the First Lady's birthday on Jan. 17, as the President and Mrs. Obama celebrated at nearby BLT Steak.

*The 2011 Alfalfa Club Dinner program, courtesy of Occupy DC.

*Entree photo by José Andrés; protest photo by AP; video from Occupy DC

As President Obama Attends Alfalfa Club Dinner, Members Of Occupy DC Stage Protest

Singing, dancing, stripping, and glitter throwing as protesters descend on exclusive dinner...
UPDATE: A FULL POST ABOUT THE DINNER IS HERE.
President Obama on Saturday night attended the 99th Annual Alfalfa Club Dinner, an exclusive event for the nation's powerbrokers put on each year on the last Saturday in January by the members-only social club. Held at the Capital Hilton, the area was surrounded by a heavy police presence as the President, accompanied by First Lady Michelle Obama, arrived at 7:02 PM in the presidential limousine, part of a 16-vehicle motorcade. Protesters from Occupy DC filled streets near the hotel, chanting and holding up signs and banners, throwing glitter, and later dancing in the area. Protesters tried to block guests from entering, but were unsuccesful. A large white tent was set up in front of the hotel for secure arrivals. The dinner featured comedic remarks from the President and was closed to press, who instead covered the protests. (Above: Glitter rains down on police during the protest)

Some women Occupy DC protesters took off their shirts, in theory preventing police from touching them. Police on horseback moved among the crowd, who were held back by barricades. (Above: Shirtless protesters from Occupy DC)

Occupy DC has been given until Monday by District officials to vacate two encampments, both located within blocks of the White House. The protest continued as the Alfalfa Dinner progressed.

"Protesters still dancing, mingling. This is great for morale, given what we're facing on Monday," tweeted @OccupyKSt more than an hour after the President and Mrs. Obama arrived. The K street encampment is located in McPherson Square.

Occupy DC protesters were last out in force in front of the White House on the First Lady's birthday on Jan. 17, as the President and Mrs. Obama celebrated at nearby BLT Steak. Hundreds gathered outside the gates of the North Lawn, and threw a smoke bomb over the fence, which caused a White Housue lockdown and the closure of Pennsylvania Avenue.

The protest on Saturday night was much tweeted, and there was a livestream of the action. Above, with this photo of police on hand to contain the protest, @mmorri tweeted "Pepper spray super speakers at #alfalfadinner #occupydc."

*Top photo by AP; other photos by Mike Morris, @mmorri

President Obama Takes First Lady To 48th Birthday Dinner At DC's BLT Steak - The Menu, The Details

First Lady has visited the restaurant before; steak and birthday cake in the candlelit private dining room...
President Obama on Tuesday evening escorted First Lady Michelle Obama to DC's BLT Steak restaurant to celebrate her 48th birthday, her third in the White House. They were joined by ten friends for the 2 1/2 hour steak dinner party in an intimate private dining room, which ended with a candle-topped Red Velvet birthday cake. Guests included Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett and Attorney General Eric Holder and his wife Dr. Sharon Malone.  (Above: The President and Mrs. Obama this afternoon at the White House)

Mrs. Obama is something of a regular at BLT Steak, which features a $28 "Obama Burger" on the lunch menu, and is located just a few blocks from the White House.

"The First Lady dines with us quite regularly," BLT assistant general manager Matt Wright, who did double duty as a server for the birthday party, told Obama Foodorama.  Mrs. Obama last had dinner at BLT with a girlfriend on January 6th, he said.

Steak is an Obama favorite for special occasions: It was served as the entree for every high profile White House dinner in 2011. And steak is what everyone celebrating Mrs. Obama's birthday ordered, according to Wright. The First Lady was clad in black for her birthday outfit--"with pearls," said Wright, and the party was all smiles as they arrived for the 7:00 PM dinner.

"When we first married, it was a little controversial that she was 20 years younger than me, but now it seems to have worked out OK," the President joked on Tuesday afternoon, by way of noting that his wife is fabulous at 48.

The First Lady's birthday menu...
For dinner, the President and Mrs. Obama both enjoyed American Wagyu Top Cap, which is served in a 10 0z portion ($81). Executive Chef Victor Albisu personally did the cooking, which earned him a hug and warm thanks from the First Lady at the end of the evening. Side dishes were family style for the table, and included French Fries, Mashed Potatoes, Caramelized Brussel Sprouts with Bacon, Creamed Spinach, and Hen of the Woods Mushrooms. Appetizers ordered for the table to share were also steak: The American Wagyu Skirt Steak (10 0z, $55) and 28-Day Dry Aged New York Strip (16 0z, $46). House-made sauces are served with the steaks, and include Horseradish, Peppercorn, 3 Mustards, and "Steak" sauce.

The house signature bread is a huge, fluffy Popover, served piping hot to guests after ordering, accompanied by a salt shaker the size of a pint of milk. The Obama party enjoyed red and white wine with their dinner, Wright said. He was joined by two other managers who performed the duties of servers.

The birthday cake was Red Velvet, which is not on the BLT menu but served because it is "a favorite" of the First Lady's, Wright said. There was no inscription on top, thanks to a crumb topping, and the cake was accompanied by Cream Cheese Ice Cream. Mrs. Obama closed her eyes and made a wish before blowing out the candles to cheers from her guests.

"She got them all out in one puff," Wright said, and speculated on the First Lady's unspoken wish: "Given that it's 2012, we can guess what it might be."

The Obamas greet fellow diners...
To get to the private dining room requires walking through BLT's main dining room, and the President and Mrs. Obama, as they made their exit shortly after 9:30 PM, shook hands and greeted well-wishers in the by-then packed restaurant. The President also got up once during the dinner and walked into the main dining room, where he shook hands and chatted with guests.

"They were very gracious on the way out," Wright said--which included Mrs. Obama's hug for Chef Albisu and her words of thanks. Wright was unsure who paid the bill for the evening.

No wrapped gifts were spotted, and First Grandmother Marian Robinson was not among the guests for her daughter's party, as she has been for the First Lady's past birthday celebrations at Washington restaurants. In 2011, the Obams dined at The Source; in 2010 they celebrated at Restaurant Nora; and in 2009, before the inauguration, they visited Equinox. More here about Obama birthday dinners past. Tuesday afternoon, as she joined the President in welcoming 2011 World Series champs the St. Louis Cardinals to the White House, Mrs. Obama was presented with a baseball bat and "44" jersey as birthday gifts.

Heavy security presence...including in the kitchen
BLT remained open to diners during the Obama party, but Secret Service were everywhere, including in the kitchen, observing Albisu cooking, Wright said. Other patrons were not wanded as they entered during the evening, nor did they pass through a metal detector at the entrance--just those entering the private dining room in the back of the restaurant were screened.

The private dining room was reserved in advance for an unnamed VIP party, and management wasn't positive that it would be the Obamas until the President's security detail showed up about a half hour ahead of the visit, Wright said. Management were not surprised, however: Mrs. Obama's birthday was headline news.

"We didn't know who was coming, but we put two and two together," Wright said.

BLT Steak, originally the brainchild of French chef/entrepreneur Laurent Tourondel, features burgers on the lunch menu honoring the President, part of a daily rotation on the "Political Burger Board." The "Obama Burger" has an 8 oz Kobe American Beef patty with cheddar cheese, bacon, burnt tomato ketchup, and scallion mustard.

Mrs. Obama's "secret" visits with friends to BLT Steak were revealed in April of 2011, when hockey superstar Alex Ovechkin, captain of the Washington Capitals, tweeted a photo of himself and the First Lady, cozy in a booth. They weren't dining together, just snapping photos. An East Wing spokesman told Obama Foodorama that Mrs. Obama had dined there "incognito," a la her Target runs. (Above: Ovechkin and Mrs. Obama)

Mrs. Obama's birthday party was the first Presidential dinner outing in the District for 2012. The President celebrated his 50th birthday with a big private White House party on August 4th, 2011. Daughter Malia turned 13 on July 4th, 2011. Daughter Sasha turned ten on June 10, 2011, and celebrated with a party at Georgetown Cupcake.

The motorcade arrived back at the White House at 9:42 PM. During the dinner, a large protest from Occupy DC was going on in front of the White House, and "smoking objects" had been thrown over the North fence. The White House went into lockdown mode, with all of Pennsylvania Avenue closed. The two Occupy DC encampments in the District are both within blocks of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The President's press pool was detained on campus after returning from the dinner--where they were held across the street during the party--and were allowed to leave the White House 45 minutes later, exiting through the Eisenhower Executive Office Building entrance on 17th street. Pool did not see the Presidential party before or after the dinner.

Info: BLT Steak is at 1625 Eye Street, Washington, DC, 2005. Phone: 202.689.8999. The dinner menu.

*Updated at 11:30 PM.

*In the photo at top, the President and Mrs. Obama are at the White House, during an event to honor the 2011 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals. Photos by AP/pool; Ovechkin photo by Alex Ovechkin