The scene at the White House

So I'm sitting on a driveway in front of the press briefing room, next to the West Wing, where you see all those televised press conferences. Next to me on the asphalt are Tim Russert and Matt Lauer. A parade of visitors is streaming by, including the Knights of Columbus with their plumes, a troop of boy scouts, a sea of bishops, Catholic school students, and various religious leaders, including Greek Orthodox Archbishop Demetrios. Other reporters claim they just saw Barney, or some Bush family dog (Miss Beazley?), but I'm staring at my screen (blogging for you, dear readers) and missed the story (well, at least the Scottish terrier angle). Lots of local color -- I saw Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston entering the White House gates, and Imam Talal Eid of Boston just walked by; at the pressroom I ran into various folks from home, including John Norton, of the Catholic publication Our Sunday Visitor, who hails from Shrewsbury, and a producer, Patti Hanley, who shoots for Religion and Ethics Newsweekly (a PBS program -- check your local listings) who is an Adams native and confesses she has a Red Sox tattoo, although she won't say where.

The only news so far is that the White House has released the menu for the dinner tonight that the pope is skipping. Here's what His Holiness will miss: Morel-encrusted Diver Scallops, Ramp Spatzle, Angel Hair Asparagus Bisque, Duo of Veal, White Truffle-Potato Dumplings, Baby Carrots and Boletus Mushrooms, Heirloom Lettuces and Candied Pumpkin Seeds, Spring Squash Carpaccio, Styrian Pumpkin Oil Vinaigrette, Raspberry Crisp and Mint Coulis.

Even though the pope won't be there, all the Catholics on the Supreme Court will, including Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Scalia, Kennedy, Alito, and Thomas. And the big name tonight will be Tommy Lasorda, the former Dodgers manager.

Good news! I just saw the terrier.

By Michael Paulson, Globe Staff

For all the blog posts on the papal visit, go here.

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