Holiday party in white house room

For reporters covered President Obama, there’s only one party in town that matters: The White House Holiday Party is a rare opportunity to walk around parts of the White House and meet the president and first lady. In the past, the highlight of the event has been the chance to get your image taken with the president in the receiving line.

This year, however, the White House seems to be doing things a slight differently. The invites went out late – and didn’t include journalists who have been invited in the long-ago. And those who have been invited seem possible to be denied the traditional receiving-line photo.