Bold-faced names show up at Meridian Ball

Despite the government shutdown ending just days earlier, bipartisanship isn’t dead — at least at one of Washington’s glitziest annual affairs.

Rep. John Delaney (Md.) — the president of the Democratic freshman class — and his GOP freshman counterpart, Rep. Luke Messer (Ind.), were eyed hanging out together at Friday’s Meridian Ball.

The glam soiree aimed at encouraging global leadership brings guests together at ambassadors’ residences before they head to the Meridian House in Washington to kick up their heels.

{mosads}Among other sightings at the 45th annual gala: Rep. Billy Long (R-Mo.) quietly chatting with Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) as the will.i.am and Britney Spears song “Scream and Shout” blasted.

Former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, dining at the Embassy of Peru, declaring in front of Ambassador Harold Forsyth and a handful of other dinner guests to his wife, who had requested a dance with him later at the ball, “If you’re lucky —or unlucky — maybe one dance!”

A slew of high-profile faces in the crowd, including: Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.); former Ambassador Mary Ourisman; Meridian International Center President Ambassador Stuart Holliday; businessman Jack Quinn and his wife and Susanna; Debbie Dingell, wife of Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.); Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier and his wife Amy; and former Michigan Gov. James Blanchard (D).

Photos courtesy of Joyce Boghosian