There was no mistaking former Virginia governor Mark Warner’s view of the Iraq War during his interview with Carol Joynt at the Q&A Cafe at Nathans restaurant yesterday. Noting that the country is in “a moment of historical transition,” Warner suggested that President Bush is not reflecting the views of the American people. But he prudently cautioned those calling for an immediate withdrawal of troops: “Getting out without a plan is as bad as going in without a plan.”

What: XM launch party for POTUS ’08, the new presidential-politics radio channel, featuring a performance by comedian Lewis Black.

Where: DC Coast, 1401 K St., NW

When: Tuesday, October 16, 6 to 9 PM

Who: About 400 people were in attendance. The guest list was composed of mainly press, including NPR’s Cokie Roberts and her husband, journalist and author Steve Roberts; political and communications consultant Mandy Grunwald; former Pentagon spokeswoman Torie Clarke, now senior advisor for communications and government affairs at Comcast; and former head of the RIAA Hilary Rosen. Guests spent most of the evening in the private downstairs room with comedian Lewis Black and XM officers including interim CEO Nate Davis.  Political wife Debbie Dingell was also present.

Food: The waitstaff carried trays of mediocre appetizers such as miniature crab cakes, tuna tartare, beef satay, roasted-red-pepper-and-pesto bruschetta, beef quesadillas, and smoked-chicken salad. After Black’s standup routine, a dessert selection of chocolate-covered strawberries, raspberry cream puffs, and lemon tartes was served.

Drink: There was a full open bar with a long line downstairs. The wine bar upstairs served a house Champagne, Chardonnay, and Merlot. Waiters refilled wineglasses with a Château Ste Michelle Chardonnay and a J. Lohr Merlot.

Scene: The cocktail party centered on Lewis Black’s performance. Guests chatted, sipped drinks, and snacked on hors d’oeuvres until Black took the stage. His somewhat lewd humor entertained the “cynical crowd,” as Black called it. One joke went over especially well: “Frozen embryos are not alive. However, I’ve adopted three of them, and I’m taking them as a tax writeoff.” After Black’s act, everyone made a beeline to the exit, where PR reps passed out XM hats.

If Rudy Guiliani doesn’t make it to the White House, he could have a fallback career as a stand up comic. Guiliani was one of National Italian American Foundation’s honorees at its annual gala last Saturday night at the Hilton Washington, and he used the occasion to wax hilarious.

What: Hispanic Heritage Awards dinner and after-party. The nonprofit Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s annual celebration is dedicated to promoting Latino leaders.

Where: Renaissance Washington DC Hotel

When: Thursday evening, October 11, 2007.

Who: Award recipients included actors Rosario Dawson and Benjamin Bratt; Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Pérez; That ’70s Show actor Wilmer Valderrama; Mulholland Drive star Laura Harring; rapper Armando “Pitbull” Pérez. Scrubs star Judy Reyes was master of ceremonies. Congress members among the award recipients included Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida and Democrat Xavier Becerra of California. Democrat Linda Sanchez of California was a presenter. Also in attendance were many prominent Latinos and members of the business community.

What: A schmoozy cocktail reception to celebrate the reopening of power-dining spot the Palm, which was closed this summer for renovations.

Where: The Palm, 1225 19th St., NW

When: Thursday, October 11, 6:30 to 9:30 PM

Who: There were more power players on the walls—the likes of George W. Bush, Hillary Clinton, and Larry King—than roaming the floor, but the event did draw longtime CBS anchor Bob Schieffer; Democratic pundit James Carville with wife and former Bush aide Mary Matalin; Hardball’s Chris Matthews and his wife, former Channel 7 anchor Kathleen Matthews, now with Marriott; Examiner gossip columnist Patrick Gavin; CNN White House correspondents Ed Henry and Suzanne Malveaux; and a brief swing-by from DC mayor Adrian Fenty. New faces to the Palm walls of fame include Schieffer, Fenty, lobbyist Tommy Boggs, Channel 4 sports anchor Lindsay Czarniak, and gossip gurus Jeff DuFour of the Examiner and Anne Schroeder of Politico.

What: A film screening and after-party in honor of the Affleck brothers’ new film. Gone Baby Gone is directed by Academy Award winner Ben and stars his younger brother, Casey.

Where: Screening at AMC Loews in Georgetown; party up the block at the historic City Tavern Club.

When: October 11, 7 PM to late.

Photos by Matt Lisack. Want to see more photos from Washington events and parties? Click here for Washingtonian.com's photo slideshow page.

The Stewart Mott House, tucked between the Supreme Court and the Senate office buildings, has always been the place to party for liberals. Got a blue-colored cause? Gather at the venerable manse at 122 Maryland Avenue, Northeast.

So it was in keeping with the cause that Mother Jones, the crusading lefty monthly magazine, chose the Mott House Wednesday night to celebrate its Washington bureau and welcome its new chief, David Corn. Luring Corn from the Nation was a coup. The niche publication gets a name-brand Washington journalist who has written books, tangled often with the Bushies, and is a usual suspect on political talk shows. Look for Mother Jones to start to get the play of the Weekly Standard and National Review—which I suspect is one of its goals in snaring Corn.

More later on how Mother Jones can grow its Washington presence while other news organizations wither. For now, it’s party time.