Pols v. press spelling bee set

One hundred years ago, the National Press Club organized a spelling bee, pitting members of Congress against Washington reporters. In 1913, President Wilson attended, a member of his Cabinet moderated and an Ohio congressman won.

On Sept. 18, 2013, the Press Club is reprising the "Best Speller in the United States" competition, to celebrate Washington, D.C., history, promote education and raise money for the Club's non-profit Journalism Institute. Merriam-Webster will provide the words and the pronouncer. Washington satirist Mark Russell will make a special appearance.

Politician spellers include:
Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Penn.; 
Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va.; 
Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del.; 
Rep. Peter DeFazio
, D-Or.; Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla.; 
Sen. Jeff Flake
, R-Ariz.; 
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va.; and 
Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Conn.

Journalist spellers include:
Howard Fineman, "Huffington Post
;" Ed Henry, Fox News
; Major Garrett, CBS News
; Kate Nocera, "Buzzfeed
;" Rebecca Sinderbrand, Politico; 
Meredith Shiner, Roll Call; 
Ashley Southall, The New York Times; 
Karen Tumulty, Washington Post; and 
Toby Zakaria, Reuters.

Additional spellers may be added.

Tickets are $25 for non-members, $20 for members and $15 for students. Sign up here.