Sue Hartigan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: WASHINGTON -- President Clinton ignored the presence of Paula Jones at a star-studded dinner last night despite having to share the spotlight with the woman who has accused him of sexual harassment. Jones, who sat at a table in the recesses of the hotel ballroom where the White House Correspondents Association held its 84th annual dinner, did not rate a mention in Clinton's satirical soliloquy or from television comic Ray Romano. Nevertheless, her presence caused something of a commotion, with several hundred people, including tuxedo-clad and sequined-gowned guests, loudly booing her arrival in the Hilton Hotel lobby. She was ushered quickly through by several burly bodyguards. In his after-dinner remarks, Clinton aimed his barbs at lawmakers, suggesting that the hit TV show "Seinfeld," which is to end next month, could be replaced by televised congressional sessions. "Now there's a show about nothing," he quipped. The press also took several presidential shots, with Clinton declaring he had not read a newspaper or watched television since the pope visited Cuba -- when the most lurid allegations in the White House sex-and-perjury scandal surfaced. "I hardly have any time to read the news anymore, I just scan the retractions," Clinton told the 2,600 guests. Jones, whose sexual harassment suit against Clinton catapulted her into the limelight and jolted his presidency, was invited to the dinner by the staff of Insight magazine, which is affiliated with the conservative Washington Times newspaper. She sat at the magazine's table. Clinton took his seat at the head table along with his wife, who spent yesterday giving videotaped testimony to independent counsel Kenneth Starr about her role in the Whitewater land deal. Starr, who also is investigating a White House scandal involving the president and a young intern, did not attend. Clinton, who has denied all the allegations, last met Jones Jan. 17 when he gave his deposition in her case. Many political commentators, columnists and others attacked Jones for accepting the invitation, calling it tactless and an attempt to demean and humiliate Clinton. Monica Lewinsky, the intern at the center of the White House sex scandal, turned down several invitations, as did her lawyer, William Ginsburg. The sold-out formal affair has evolved over the years from a stuffy night of "rubber chicken" and flat jokes to a much-anticipated midspring gala with an Oscar-night buzz. Movie stars Sharon Stone, Michael Douglas and Warren Beatty were among the entertainment luminaries who hobnobbed with media figures, sports personalities and political leaders. Laurence McQuillan, the correspondents' association president and senior White House correspondent for Reuters said the dinner is "not a roast of the president, but a chance for reporters and people they cover to set politics aside and relax." -- Two rules in life: 1. Don't tell people everything you know. 2. Subscribe/Unsubscribe, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the body of the message enter: subscribe/unsubscribe law-issues
