Domestic Affairs: Let the Truth Be Told

just engaged! Tim Burger and Kiki Ryan

Washingtonians love movies, television series, and books about our lives in this nutty town.  Usually though, we love it when it is less than truthful, you know, DRAMATIC (or comedic, like HBO’s VEEP) AND SEXY because frankly, we haven’t had a reputation for having a heightened sense of sexiness.  Documentaries or shows trying to be too “real” may fall flat (even George Clooney couldn’t make K Street work) because no one wants to escape from life by having it dullness shoved back into your face.  But what if the TRUTH is really just that crazy? Just that unbelievable? Just that “No.Way.Did.That.Happen!” Then one must share!  Jessica Cutler’s “The Washingtonienne” was pretty jaw dropping.  You see, the culture of Washington is quiet, private, understated.  Things that are inappropriate and shocking happen … behind closed and bolted and sound proof doors.

the author reads a paragraph to the guests

So, if you are so compelled, you take a stand and you write a book, but in order to protect the guilty, you change the tell-all into a novel, a fun read, a conversation piece. That’s what political consultant Bridget Siegel did with “Domestic Affairs” (I have yet to read it).  And from her extensive experience with Democratic campaigning, has she got a tale or 10 for us.

co-host Maria Teresa Kumar, looking gorgeous after just having a baby, having a laugh with Bridget Siegel

Those who have already completed the book have winked, “Juicy! You’ll love it!”  Friends and supporters of the author and of hosts Raj and Maria Teresa Kumar, Peter Cherukuri, Rachael Hirschberg and Gilead Light and a slew of others on the co-host committee including Lee Brenner, Jill Daschle, Kimball Stroud and Rhoda and Dan Glickman, gathered atop the Huffington Post building a glance from the White House to toast the author.

We’ll be sure to read and write a review.  Follow the self-proclaimed “reformed fundraiser, author and actress” @bridgetSiegel.