Washington, D.C., April 26, 2008 - Apparently the impending presidential election has put the Hollywood set in a jovial mood, because Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ dinner drew a heavy contingent of celebrities, most of whom had stayed away during the Bush administration years. 

Joining the usual powerful media figures like Martha Stewart and Katie Couric at the Washington Hilton was everyone from Donatella Versace to Ashlee Simpson to Grey’s Anatomy star Eric Dane.  Panting tweens lined the hotel lobby and screamed in ecstasy when the Jonas Brothers arrived.  Padma Lakshmi was there, and so was her ex, Salman Rushdie with a gorgeous young date. Awkward!  New York Daily News owner Mort Zuckerman told us that he was “amazed” by the new smaller size of his competitor, the New York Post.  Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner attended, but managed to hide from cameras all evening.

Craig Ferguson hosted the dinner, rambling on a bit, and President Bush himself played maestro, picking up a baton and conducting a marching band.  W also donned a cowboy hat and even sang. 

The stormy evening didn’t stop revelers from hitting the parties.  Pamela Anderson popped into the Bloomberg party at the Costa Rican Embassy for just a few moments, and dashed off to catch a plane, we hear.  Over at the brand new Newseum, Rosario Dawson hosted Capitol File’s party, where Pete Wentz deejayed.