One thing you don't want to do as a host is be running around all evening. Do as much as you can ahead of time, so all you have to do is grill the main ingredients.
“You can't get much more liberal than John Kerry is. I mean, he's my candidate, but, I mean, come on.”
“There is not a soul who does not have to beg alms of another, either a smile, a handshake, or a fond eye.”