Gridiron Club Gang-Tackles Political Scandals

After a pistol packin’ Madeleine Albright sang, reporters wearing saffron robes of Buddhist monks danced the Macarena as Vice President Al Gore shouted: “Show me the money!”

Another Washington fund-raiser?

You wish.

The Gridiron Club hosted its 112th dinner Saturday night.

It’s an annual attempt to let a little air out of Washington’s inflated egos with skits and spoofs featuring well-known journalists who aren’t shy about clowning around.

The exclusive club comprises 60 Washington newspaper bureau chiefs, columnists, reporters, cartoonists and editors. It exists only to lampoon the high and mighty at its annual dinner.

Other reporters must have appreciated the opportunity to see the big names at their organizations thrust into the footlights, wearing only bathrobes and wiggling in a geriatric send-up of “Saturday Night Fever.”

President Clinton, the guest of honor, didn’t attend in person because of his knee surgery Friday but videotaped his shtick from his hospital room. Vice President Al Gore and a host of lawmakers, ambassadors, governors and other celebrities looked on, however, as the club mined the year’s headlines for comic relief.

Republicans and Democrats alike were roasted in the presentations, but the jokes and musical acts held true to the club’s motto to singe, not burn.

House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s ethics violations were targeted with barbs, but the most trenchant wit was reserved for the Democrats’ campaign finance woes.

The Asian money connection and former fund-raiser John Huang were singled out to the tune of “The Trolley Song” from “Meet Me in St. Louis.”

“Huang, Huang, Huang raise the money. Ring Taipei and Hong Kong,” sang performers clad in colorful Indonesian garb.