Don't think, Meat. Just throw

Things began innocently enough Thursday night: The NBC correspondent and event emcee asked guests to text donations to a phone number, and all the texts would appear on a large screen during the meal. Donations poured in, along with a few personal messages for Russert.

“Luke, you should meet my daughter. We are good for $1,000.”

The bids for Russert’s hand continued. “Hands off Luke, ladies. He’s mine!” read one. “Luke. It’s me again. Daughters are one thing, but I’m another,” said another, drawing laughs.

Things got strange when Russert returned to the mic to address the texts.

“I’m happy to raise money off my sex appeal,” he said, to chuckles. “But I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that at my table I’ve got five upstanding young bachelors who are St. Albans graduates. College graduates. They all have five-year plans.” The audience continued to chuckle until Russert added, “So there’s plenty of meat to go around.”