National Press Club "Politicians vs. Press" Spelling Bee

Oct 21 2015

Clock icon WHEN:

Oct 21, 2015 at 6:00pm

Where icon WHERE:

Ballroom

User icon CONTACT INFO:

Jen Judson

[email protected]

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Special Event

Members of Congress will face off against members of the news media in an event moderated by the Scripps National Spelling Bee at 7pm on Oct. 21, 2015. The event, sponsored by Discovery Communications, will also feature a performance by the 90s cover band sensation White Ford Bronco.

In 1913, the National Press Club held a spelling bee pitting politicians against the press. President Woodrow Wilson and members of his Cabinet were among the 1,000 people who showed up to watch. A House member won. A centennial rematch in 2013 saw Senator Tim Kaine, D-Va., take the title of "The Best Speller in the United States.”

Sen. Kaine will be back to defend his title this year on a team of politicians that includes Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., Rep. Brad Ashford, D-Neb and Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Az, Rep. Bill Pascrell D-NJ and Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn.

The team attempting to win for journalists includes former Press Club president Angela Greiling Keane of Bloomberg News, David Kerley of ABC News, Rebecca Sinderbrand of The Washington Post, Rod Kuckro of E&E News, Karoun Demirjian of The Washington Post, and Yochi Dreazen of Foreign Policy.

The event will also feature a performance from comedian Tim Young, and an after party with local favorite White Ford Bronco. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the NPC Journalism Institute.

Tickets are $10 for members, $15 for non-members.

Join the conversation at @PressClubDC and #NPCBee. The Club will be tweeting with #NPCLive the night of the event.