William F. Buckley, Rush Limbaugh, George Will at NR’s 50th. Not Cheney

Charmaine, Buckley

Your Business Blogger(R) and Charmaine attended National Review’s 50th Anniversary Gala in Washington DC Thursday night with 998 other dear friends. A celebration of a half century of journalism and innovation and wit.

The Evening’s black tie event was perfect save for a single point. Which provides us with a business lesson.

Rush holding court

photo credit: Jack Yoest

Security was subdued as we walked in. But President George Bush was rumored to pop in and surprise. The President did meet Buckley earlier in the day. Dick Cheney was on the agenda.

But something was a-miss. No metal detectors. Still, rumors persisted.

A video tribute was narrated by Rush Limbaugh. He reviewed NR’s history and demonstrated, I would say, that the publication was the true forerunner of today’s blogs.

Jack, Orrin Hatch,

Charmaine

Years ago NR proved conservatives had good, clean fun. When describing a paeon in a paragraph’s first sentence, the piece closed suggesting that readers should instead pee on the subject… The National Review opined. In print.

Still. Cheney was nowhere to be seen. Was President Bush behind the 8 story shear drapes?

Mari Will,

Reagan Alums

with Charmaine,

George Will

The program continued.

NR also publishes National Review Online, NRO, brainchild of the young, talented Rich Lowry. (Age 30 when taking the helm. Buckley was 29 when he founded National Review.)

NRO’s The Corner is a regular must read. Everyone loves K-Lo.

Readers know that NR has been critical of President Bush’s nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court. Rush Limbaugh on his program asked Dick Cheney some very direct questions. George Will’s op-ed cut like a saber.

Many conservatives are concerned.

Dick Cheney, one might expect, would appear and talk with his old friends.

The Vice President didn’t show.

A NR senior editor told me that the VP’s office cited scheduling challenges. After the evening’s program was printed up and distributed.

The point of this post is to reinforce the old business adage to always ‘under-promise and over-deliver.’ Vice versa is not good.

It doesn’t matter where fault, if any, can be pinned.

Nevertheless, expectations must always be managed.

Professional sales reps and top managers know how to maintain this delicate balance of delivering and not allowing clients — or an audience — to misunderstand or to experience an underwhelming outcome.

Clear communication is the responsibility of the salesman. Not the customer.

It’s just good business. And politics.

Be sure to follow Your Business Blogger(R) and Charmaine on Twitter: @JackYoest and @CharmaineYoest

Thank you (foot)notes,

Jack and Charmaine also blog at Reasoned Audacity and at Management Training of DC, LLC.

Full Disclosure: Your Business Blogger and wife were guests of the generosity of Charmaine’s client, The Family Research Council.

The Anniversary was held in the National Building Museum. The interior is a vast open-columned vista, some 10 stories up allowing a focus on infinity. The emotion is not unlike that generated by the awe, inspiring, up sweeping interiors of cathedrals.

50th Anniversary of National Review 1955-2005, October 6, 2005

Program

Cocktail Reception

Call to Order M. Stanton Evans

Invocation Father George Rutler

Introductory Remarks M. Stanton Evans

Remarks Vice President Dick Cheney

Dinner Is Served

“A 50-Year Overview” Rush Limbaugh, Narrator

Jason Steorts, Editor

Special Recognitions M. Stanton Evans

Remarks Rich Lowry

William F. Buckley Jr.

Benediction Father George Rutler

Music and Dancing until 11:00 pm

Music by the Eric Felton Orchestra

The National Review Institute

Mr. Rush Limbaugh

Mr. George F. Will

The Honorable Henry J. Hyde

Mrs. Marth Apgar

Family Research Council

Dutko Worldwide

Citizens United

Visa USA

Media USA

Media Research Center

John M. Olin Foundation

Mr. CH Brunie

National Rifle Association

Mrs. Ann Corkery

Heritage Foundation

Mr. William H. Ingram

Capital Research Center

Federalist Society

Dezenhall Resources

Mr. Clark Reed

Mr. William Hoskins

Holland and Knight

RSL Associates

William E. Simon Foundation

Koch Industries

Mr. Dan Cook III

American Enterprise Institute

Mr. Joseph Donner

Verizon, Inc.

Ave Maria Law School

Wal-Mart

Mr. Howard Rich

Blank Rome LLP

Mr. Alfred C. Eckert III

Mr. Richard Gilder

Mr. Peter Travers

Quinn, Gillespie and Associates

Williams & Jensen, PLLC

Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America

American Legislative Exchange Council

Legacy Partners Group

The Fund for American Studies

Motion Picture Association of America

Recording Industry Association of America

Menu

Antipasti of Seafood

Chateaubriand with Twin Sauces

Grilled Pacific Salmon

Truffled Potato Crepes

Asparagus and Yellow Pear Tomatoes

Hazelnut Meringue filled with Chocolate Ganache

and Crushed Hazelnut Praline

Testimonials

Ronald Reagan:

I think you know that National Review is my favorite magazine…because of its wit and its charm and the intellectual quality of its contents

George F. Will:

It is simply the case that National Review is the most consequential journal of opinion ever….It has changed first the ideas and then the politics and ultimately policies of the most important nation the world has ever known…

Buckley, Bush earlier on Thursday

at the Old Executive Office Building (OEOB)

which is considered to be a part of White House

###

Thank you (foot)notes:

Judge Bork doesn’t care for Miers.

Captain’s Quarters reports Washington Post likes Miers.

In the Bull Pen has Harriet Miers Debate.

California Yankee has Can the Conservative Rebellion End Well?

Cafe Oregano has driving Miss Miers.

Everyone’s Entitled to My Opinion has Happy 50th.

The Moderate Voice has the Polarizing Card.

Patterico has A Rant.

Dr. Hartline is celebrating.

NZPundit has the publisher’s statement.

Basil’s Blog has open trackbacks.

WizBang has Carnival of the Trackbacks.

PrestoPundit has bombshell.

Chose Life has an Enigma.

Macstansbury has open trackbacks.

Don Surber has the Daily Lincoln.

Villainous Company has pragmatic view.

Our friends on the Left are having a laff.

Left Coaster says Stop the Presses.

Centerfield cites Bork.

Professor Bainbridge supports Miers.

JollyBlogger doesn’t quite trust Miers:

In a situation like this, Martin Luther’s famous quip comes to mind that he would rather be ruled by a wise Turk than a foolish Christian. Of course the best option is to be ruled by a wise Christian. Miers is not a Turk in Luther’s sense, and she is a Christian, we need to know that she is a “wise” Christian in the sense of having the wisdom she needs to sit on the Supreme Court.

Joyner at Outside The Beltway is getting married today. But he still got Beltway Wedding Traffic Jam up. (Would that all managers could delegate so well.) (A future bloggable example.)

The Heretik has Bush Rejects.

Miers trouble in the Austin Bay household. He agin; wife for.

Hubris has pics — what is a prenumbra anyway? Thank you to Sister Toldjah.

Joe Carter has the Civil War at Evangelical Outpost.

See Carnival of the Capitalists at Business Pundit.