UPDATE: Dec. 5 @ 3:10 p.m.

Quinn Gillespie spokeswoman Stacey Morton Bowlin sent National Journal a message wanting us to make clear that Ed Gillespie attended the party as a GUEST, not a host. She pointed out that Gillespie is no longer a member of the firm and had nothing to do with creating the guest list for the event.

QGA Vice Chairman Jeff Connaughton also sent this e-mail: "These people were NOT guests of Ed Gillespie. Jack and Ed did NOT jointly 'greet their many guests' and you need to correct your story as wrong." 

                                                                                                            -- Bara Vaida

Lobbying firm Quinn Gillespie & Associations returned to hosting its popular annual holiday party Wednesday evening, after taking a year off in 2007. On hand to greet their many guests were the firm's two founding partners, Democrat Jack Quinn and Republican Ed Gillespie, though Gillespie left the outfit last year to join the White House.

Gillespie, who is now a special assistant to President Bush, looked a little grayer after his year of working for the administration. Not a surprise given the long hours toiling for a president who has among the lowest public approval ratings on record. When I asked him what he has planned for 2009, Gillespie answered: "Frankly I'm enjoying not knowing what I'll do next."

Gillespie severed his financial ties to the lobbying firm when he joined the White House. [He left considerable money on the table, see my story from Dec. 2007.] But the firm that still bears Gillespie's name has continued to bring in revenue and he could return to K Street. For the first three quarters of the year, QGA reported $11.2 million in lobbying fees.

For anyone wondering how lobbying shops can throw holiday parties without running afoul of ethics rules, a firm can host a party and feed guests "nominal-value refreshments" under the reception exemption. That means the firm could serve only finger food, unlike years past when it offered a big buffet of goodies. Champagne, Bailey's Irish Cream, martinis, and other assorted drinks also met the exemption.

                                                                                                                    -- Bara Vaida