A book launch party was held at the home of the Lebanese ambassador for Helen Thomas and Craig Crawford, co-authors of Listen Up, Mr. President: Everything You Always Wanted Your President to Know and Do (Scribner; October 6, 2009). The most veteran of White House reporters and a long-time Congressional Quarterly columnist wrote about what they think it takes to be a good president. After welcoming remarks from the ambassador, Andrea Mitchell introduced the co-authors. They were also seen talking to guests as they signed books.

Helen Thomas has covered nine administrations. A former bureau chief at United Press International, and currently a columnist for Hearst Newspapers, she is the author of Dateline: White House and Front Row at the White House.

Craig Crawford is a columnist for Congressional Quarterly and a commentator for MSNBC and other news outlets.