Comparing "Women for Daschle" to "Women for Thune"

Today's edition of Roll Call reports on a "Women for Tom" event being held in Washington, D.C. tonight:

If Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) likes good food and powerful women, he’ll be in his happy place tonight. A who’s who of Washington women are throwing a bash for the Senator tonight at the home of Democratic public relations mavens Tony and Heather Miller Podesta.

The “women for Tom,” as their invitation reads, can relax, drink some wine, flirt with their favorite Senator and, best of all, enjoy some home Italian cooking by the Podesta brothers — Tony and John, the Clintonite who founded the Center for American Progress.

Daschle and his generous donors can expect a little maiale tonnato, a pork dish, and poached chicken with lemon basil dressing from chef John. Chef Tony will be making an arugula salad with blood oranges and fennel, carrots with lemon zest and garlic, and assorted roasted veggies. (And unlike some unnamed master chefs at highbrow restaurants, John does not cook his vegetables in meat stock, sister-in-law Heather told HOH.

“Of course, Tony’s the better chef,” she said.

That family dispute aside, Women for Tom say they plan to raise $50,000 tonight — a hefty goal considering the stiff competition: Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) is the attraction at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser across the street.

“This is the place to be,” Ms. Podesta bragged. “It’s all about the food.”

And the women. Besides Linda Daschle, others on the host list include: Kim Dorgan, wife of Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.); Debbie Dingell, wife of Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.); Nancy Zirkin, a women’s civil rights leader; Winnie Stachelberg, new head of the Human Rights Campaign; Hilary Rosen, a volunteer at HRC and former head of the Recording Industry Association of America; Susie Turnbull, who heads the Women’s Leadership Forum at the DNC; and many others.

Dinner will be served by a slew of former Daschle staffers. Joel Johnson will be head waiter, Larry Stein the busboy and Mark Patterson the bartender. (And no drinking allowed on the job. Orders of Ms. Podesta.)

It should be noted that this "Women for Tom" event seems to be hosted by women who are unable to vote for him. By way of contrast, I snapped this photo today in Sioux Falls, SD of a car with a bumper sticker that reads "Women for Thune." I think the distinction between the two women's groups speaks volumes.