Political junkies on the left and right came together tonight at the Watergate in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the partnership of MSNBC.com, National Journal and the Hotline -- dubbed the "Newest Power Couple in Washington." Their creation: politics.msnbc.com.

NBC "Meet the Press" host Tim Russert got the party started, telling the crowd that the partnership will result in better coverage of political news. He warned "Republicans, Democrats and independents" to watch out.

MSNBC.com Editor in Chief Jennifer Sizemore said the idea of a partnership came about after a company strategy meeting, and Atlantic Media Group Publisher and Chief Executive John Fox Sullivan said his team at National Journal was thrilled join forces.

With "Hardball" host Chris Matthews broadcasting live from the Hotline's headquarters, political strategists and journalists talked shop. Big names spotted in attendance included George Allen campaign manager Dick Wadhams, former John Kerry campaign manager Mary Beth Cahill, former Democratic National Chairman Terry McAuliffe, MoveOn.org's Tom Matzzie and former Bush Administration adviser Tucker Eskew.

As one of the invited guests, I made the most of the opportunity, chatting up Wadhams on his move to bring blogger Jon Henke onboard as the campaign's netroots coordinator. I also had a bizarre encounter with Cahill. When she found out where I worked, she excused herself from the conversation and walked away. (I guess I might do the same considering my company's "Unfit for Command" contributed to Kerry's defeat in '04.)

I also had the pleasure of chatting with the people behind the scenes at National Journal: Hotline On Call's Marc Ambinder, the Blogometer's Conn Carroll, HotlineTV's John Mercurio and Reid Wilson, substitute Blogometer writer and HotlineTV producer.

Time.com Washington editor Ana Marie Cox was there, along with her protégé Alex Pareene, who is now running the show at Wonkette. (Despite Cox's suspicion that young Alex was under 21, he confirmed for Conn and me that he was, in fact, of age to partake in the open bar.)

Where were all the conservatives, you ask? I did run into our friend Matthew Sheffield of Newsbusters before leaving, and I'm sure I missed some and didn't recognize others. Overall, I'd call it a fun night. I'm excited to see what they do with the partnership.

UPDATE -- September 8, 5:43 p.m.: Apparently after I left last night, Matthew Sheffield cornered Chris Matthews and asked him why "Hardball" was ignoring the new developments in the Valerie Plame story. Hat tip to the Drudge Report.