Alfalfa Club insiders Bond and Feinstein share a joke about getting roasted

The United States Senate is often described as the most exclusive club in the world, but for some senators there's another even more selective group worth belonging to:  the ultra-prestigious Alfalfa Club. This Washington club, founded in 1913, boasts several senators as members, including Sens. Kit Bond (R-Mo.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), RIchard Lugar (R-Ind.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas).

In January this year, Bond was sworn in as president of the Alfalfa, whose 200 members have included Supreme Court Justices, political and business leaders and a number of U.S. presidents.

Despite it's ultra-accomplished membership, the club exists primarily to throw an ultra-private dinner every year on the last Saturday in January, at which the President traditionally speaks and other club members are roasted with funny speeches. In keeping with the custom, President Obama spoke at the 2009 Alfalfa Club dinner, on what was only his second Saturday as president.

Within Washington society, Alfalfa Club roasts are legendary for their wit and candor; but, as Bond revealed on Tuesday during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, a good roast can serve other purposes, too.

Speaking to the nominee for Deputy Director of National Intelligence, David Gompert, Bond reminded everyone in the room that as presdient of the Alfalfa Club, he has a very big budget that allows him to roast leaders in Washington, including members of the intelligence community.

"It's a machine gun opportunity to roast everyone in this room," he jokingly warned the audience.

But the Committee's chairwoman and Bond's fellow Alfalfa Club member, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif) had other ideas. "I won't be in sight," she deadpanned.  (Sen. Feinstein was inducted into the club 1999, only five years after it began accepting women.)

Without missing a beat, Bond quipped "Well, we might have to find you an opportunity...."

For a complete (and impressive) list of Alfalfa Club members, visit http://www.nndb.com/org/692/000051539/