Obama Prepares for First State Dinner

By: Mark Knoller
Topics: White House

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Crave dressing up in a tuxedo or evening gown? Long to mingle with world leaders and high-ranking officials? Aspire to dine on haute cuisine prepared by world class chefs?

Then you'll want to be at tonight's first State Dinner of the Obama presidency. Just show up at the East Wing Entrance of the White House by 7:00 p.m. ET.

Oh. Did I mention you'll need an invitation?

What? You didn't get one of the engraved, gold-embossed notes from the president requesting the pleasure of your company and addressed to you by top tier calligraphers? Well, then you won't have to change plans for meat loaf night.

Since taking office, President Obama has met with 70 foreign leaders. Tonight he honors Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India with a State Dinner. (at left, Mr. Obama welcomes Singh at a ceremony this morning)

(AP)

"This is a very important relationship with a very important country," says White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. "That's why India was chosen to be the first (State)Visit." (At left, Mr. Obama welcomes Singh to the White House at a ceremony this morning.)

Some 320 guests will gather in a heated tent on the South Lawn this evening for the black tie event that includes an exchange of toasts by two leaders, a very fancy dinner and after-dinner entertainment.

"I think is a show of respect for the value that we put on the relationship," says Gibbs, reminding reporters that India is the world's largest democracy.

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A dinner of this magnitude is months in the making, takes days of round-the-clock preparations as the night of the dinner approaches and costs taxpayers a pretty penny, estimated as much as half a million dollars. The government does not disclose the precise cost of such dinners, but they are funded by the budget of the State Department's Office of Protocol. (at left, Nancy Cordes and Laura Schwartz report on the festivites on "The Early Show")

The menu and guest list for the event are closely-guarded secrets until they're disclosed just a few hours before the dinner takes place. Those receiving invitations will include familiar names of top U.S. and Indian government officials, members of Congress, friends of the president, big money supporters of his campaign, and Americans whose heritage is tied to India.

Tonight's dinner may also have a familiar feel to it. In July 2005, Prime Minister Singh was feted with a black-tie dinner in his honor by then-President George W. Bush. But it was billed as an "Official Dinner," a notch below "State Dinner" on the protocol scoreboard. In every other way, however, it served as a preview of tonight's event, except it was held indoors in the State Dining Room of the White House, rather than the tented setting outdoors.

"Above all, India and the United States are bound together by common values," said Mr. Bush in his toast to Singh at the start of that dinner 4 years ago.

We'll hear similar if not identical sentiments today from Mr. Obama.

Jennifer Hudson to Perform at State Dinner

(CBS)

Mark Knoller is a CBS News White House correspondent. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here. You can also follow him on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/markknoller.

Mark Knoller
Mark Knoller is a CBS News White House correspondent.
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by ecoman101 November 25, 2009 12:10 PM EST: Why is it that when corporations (bailed out by taxpayers) hold elite and expensive parties for the purpose of solidifying client relationships and rewarding employees they are crucified by the media? But when Obama does it with taxpayers money he is praised!; Reply to this comment

by 2009Michelle1234 November 24, 2009 11:47 AM EST

FINALLY, A PRESIDENT WE CAN BE PROUD OF. Pres. Obama is doing a good job considering what he inherited. I agree that he has not made good decisions 100% during his first 10 months, but he is way better than what we had. Pres. Obama 2012.

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by velma179 November 24, 2009 1:10 PM EST: Absolutely.

The guy sure isn't perfect, but he is concerned about the right things and I respect that.

It is excellent that the USA has a much better standing in the world these days with President Obama at our helm. He represents us well.

I hope the first State Dinner goes very well. India is indeed an important ally.


by millibug November 24, 2009 1:14 PM EST: I agree, with all the complaints and comotion rendered regarding poll figures is far over-rated. Sad that the media and the nation doesn't take into consideration the real deal behind the numbers. If any news reporter or commentator could trade places with this president for one month, they wouldn't last. Since taking office, America and government officials has faught so hard against this man until it seems to be
an injustice. America shows no support, but enjoys placing blame and pointing fingers at the negative. Seems to me, if the economy truly was
a sinking ship as many confess it to be, then why does the lines and crowds look like a football stadium? He took office in January, and
yet you expect mountains and skyscrapers to be resolved in a blink of an
eye.


by obamniac November 24, 2009 11:33 AM EST: check out this funny post: http://barackoflove.wordpress.com/2009/11/24/the-red-carpet-meets-the-white-house/; Reply to this comment