In-Town Note 4: Hilton ballroom

Pool has been set up in an area reserved for press at the back of the Hilton's cavernous ballroom after arriving just as the hotel's top-notch team of banquet servers (some of the hardest-working folks in Washington) were clearing after serving (prayer) breakfast at the 74th edition of this annual event.

Staffers from the White House Communications Agency (ahem, the other WHCA) have finished setting up the president's lectern (complete with seal) and teleprompter while a musical interlude is playing over the ballroom's PA system.

One of your pooler's compatriots astutely spotted and pointed out Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida milling about.

The program is being broadcast/live-streamed so your pooler's dispatches from this event will focus on any news from POTUS' remarks as well as color if possible.

As always, please check any quotes against the video since the White House isn't in the habit of releasing transcripts of the president's remarks.

Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

The Independent

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