Graham, Nunn, McManus to Roast Schieffer at Oct. 15 Fourth Estate Award Dinner

Sen. Lindsey Graham, former Sen. Sam Nunn and CBS News President Sean McManus will roast Bob Schieffer when the National Press Club presents the legendary CBS newsman with its highest honor, the Fourth Estate Award, on Oct. 15.

Graham, a South Carolina Republican, has long been known as one of the nation's wittiest senators. As for Nunn, the Georgia Democrat "didn't permit a wicked sense of humor to show itself in public until he left the U.S. Senate in 1996," wrote Jim Galloway of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution earlier this month as he previewed Nunn's appearance on "The Colbert Report."

"The National Press Club is thrilled to have Sen. Graham, Sen. Nunn and Mr. McManus on hand to singe -- but not burn -- Bob Schieffer at his roast," said National Press Club President Alan Bjerga. "What really happens behind-the-scenes on 'Face the Nation?' We'll find out when our roasters face the Press Club."

Member ticket prices are $125, and every member can buy one guest ticket at the member price. Non-member tickets are $175 each. Reserve at [email protected] or (202) 662-7501.

The dinner will be a Texas-themed party honoring the Texas-born Schieffer, a longtime Club member and the host of "Face the Nation." The annual Fourth Estate Award honors a distinguished journalist for career achievement. Previous winners include Tom Brokaw, Christiane Amanpour and David Broder.

The dinner also serves as a fundraiser for the Eric Friedheim National Journalism Library, the Club's 501 (c) (3) organization, which provides journalism training programs. A portion of the ticket price will be tax deductible.

-- Jerry Zremski, [email protected]