The Holiday Spirit Among Friends--and Enemies

There are some things in short supply in Washington. Chutzpah’s not one of them. Nor hypocrisy. Both were in full display at the White House on Monday evening. The occasion: the annual Congressional Ball for members of Congress and spouses, kicking off the White House holiday season.

In addition to ogling lavish decorations, guests were treated to a sumptuous buffet, dancing, plus a chance to shake the president’s hand.

If you thought a little matter like impeachment could dampen this year’s holiday spirit, forget it. Among those gleefully bellying up to the White House bar--and lining up for one more (last?) grip-and-grin photo with Bill Clinton for the office wall--were some of the president’s chief Republican critics in Congress.

Among them were several members of the House Judiciary Committee, who were scheduled to begin debating articles of impeachment the next morning.

Seemingly oblivious of party or policy, Clinton greeted guests as if they were long-lost cousins home for the holidays instead of enemies back in town for the sole purpose of voting to impeach him.

The truth, from a congressional staffer who, seeing Clinton’s nemeses lining up to glad-hand the president, gasped: “What a bunch of phony baloneys!”