The Life of the Parties : Bipartisan Bash Welcomes Laguna’s Roger, Janice Johnson to D.C.

Not only did Vice President Al Gore shake hands with every one of the 75 guests who came to honor Roger Johnson at the private George Town Club, he provided the after-dinner entertainment.

Standing last week before a bipartisan crowd that included Rep. Ron Packard (R-Oceanside) and Sen. Howard M. Metzenbaum (D-Ohio), Gore told the one about the difference between Republicans and Democrats:

“If a man was drowning (50 feet away), a Republican would throw him a 25-foot rope and yell, ‘Swim! It will improve your character!’

“A Democrat would throw him a 100-foot rope, walk away, and look for more good deeds to do.”

Gore laughed with the crowd and then made eye contact with Johnson--the former Orange County businessman named by President Clinton to head the General Services Administration.

“Of course, the second half of that story is grossly unfair,” he deadpanned, “but the point is, Roger Johnson knows how to pick exactly the right length of rope to get the job done.”

It was an important moment for Johnson and his wife, Janice--Republicans who supported Clinton early in his presidential bid. They’d left it all behind--an oceanfront home in Laguna Beach, a six-figure income, prominent society positions--to join the Clinton team.

For dinner hostess Kathryn Thompson--also a Republican who supported Clinton--Gore’s remarks made the point her bipartisan bash was trying to make. “Roger Johnson represents the bridge between the two parties,” said the Aliso Viejo developer. “We need to put partisan politics aside and support an administration that is trying to make a difference.”

Festivities at the club (located in the Georgetown structure believed to have been Suter’s Tavern, where Washington stopped on the way to his New York inauguration) began with a reception for guests, who also included Secretary of Commerce Ronald H. Brown, IRS Commissioner Peggy Richardson, U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland Larry Lawrence, Rep. Robert T. Matsui (D-Sacramento) and Charles Manatt, former Democratic National Committee chairman.

Sipping cocktails and plucking canapes--spiced jumbo shrimp, petite crab cakes and duck mousse on toast--from silver trays, guests buzzed about the Johnsons.

Said Louis Spisto, director of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra (where Janice Johnson was president): “The bad news is that Janice is leaving Orange County. The good news is that she will be here to spearhead an important project for us.” (Namely, a Vietnam War memorial concert by the PSO at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on April 25, 1995. Orchestra maestro Carl St.Clair has commissioned a commemorative work for the occasion.)

Said Gus Owen, husband of Kathryn Thompson and chairman of the Lincoln Club of Orange County: “It appeared as though Republican and Democratic congressmen received Roger fairly well on the Hill today. He told them how they could use technology to advance the cause of government and reduce cost to the taxpayer. I think it would be difficult for anyone to criticize that approach.”

Said Jerry Lewin, former manager of the Hyatt Regency Irvine: “This party is history in the making. I am honored to be invited, privileged to be part of the family.”

When Secret Service agents arrived, bomb-sniffing German shepherds in tow, guests knew the vice president and his wife, Tipper, would arrive shortly.

So they waited, sipping and supping some more, talking about everything under the Capitol Hill sun.

And they waited. Gore was late. Dinner was ready. What to do?

Invite guests to take their cranberry-velvet seats in the room with 18th-Century paneling and let Roger Johnson do the talking. The Gores “had started to leave the White House,” Johnson announced, smiling, “but the other guy--what’s his name?--wanted Gore to step in for a moment, so I told them we would start our salads, but to please tell the President it’s been a long day.” (Later, Johnson learned that Gore and Clinton met to discuss the Haiti crisis.)

Chuckled John Richardson: “I love Johnson’s wit and irreverence. Some people in this Administration take themselves too seriously.”

After Gore arrived, dinner was served at tables spread with snow-white linen, pewter plates and crystal vases filled with fresh rose bouquets. Tall ivory tapers flickered as a squadron of waiters delivered champagne and white and red wines along with black bean soup with cilantro cream, veal chop with wild mushroom sauce and fresh fruit with creme Chantilly .

During her post-dinner remarks, Thompson--elegant in a silk-trimmed black cocktail suit and pearls--looked at her friend, Roger Johnson, and said: “Roger, when we announced our support for Clinton on Dec. 6, 1991, little did we know we’d be sitting here one day at the George Town Club.”

And then, looking at her husband, Thompson said: “And little did I know I’d still be married to my husband, Gus, chairman of the Lincoln Club of Orange County.

“When I first indicated my support for Clinton, Gus left town for three days and I didn’t know where he was. That’s a true story.”

The next morning, Janice Johnson welcomed Thompson to her 20-foot-wide, Federal-style digs in energy-packed Georgetown.

It was time to have a cup of coffee, rehash last night’s bash and talk decorating.

“I’m exhausted,” said Thompson, settling into an overstuffed chair in the second-floor living room. “There was so much to think about for that dinner. Correct table seating, for one thing. You’d hate to seat somebody next to someone they didn’t like. And then there was the challenge of keeping the food hot for the vice president’s arrival.”

Said Johnson: “It was a wonderful occasion. But, you worry about saying the right things when the vice president is seated next to you.” (Gore was flanked by Janice and Kathryn. Tipper Gore was seated between Roger and Gus.)

Looking at the room’s gray-blue moire wallpaper, Janice told Kathryn: “It’s got to go--makes the room too dark. Instead, I want pale gold like the Roosevelt Room at the White House.”

Thompson suggested a peach-tone paper. “It would be lovely and it does beautiful things for the skin,” she said.

The four-story home tour included a peek at the Johnson garage with its ad hoc wine cellar. “Garages are a real luxury around here,” Janice noted.

The formal dining room--which is hung with a crystal chandelier--is graced by an heirloom painting of roses. A sky-lit loft on the fourth level is where Janice hopes to set up her work space. The kitchen is white, bright and compact. “It’s smaller than I’m used to. I’ll probably become the queen of takeout,” she teased.

Overall, she knows she’s going “to love it here,” she said. “I can walk everywhere.”

Will she entertain? “Oh yes. Not for big crowds like I did at home. But we’ll have people over.”

And what about Cleo, the Johnson cat? “She’s on her way,” Janice said.

Move over, Socks.