host: your calls are welcome for marie jourdain.uest 2: is the rep -- (202) 748-8001 is the republican line, (202) 748-8000 for democrats, and (202) 748-8002. the washington post headline, what is a state dinner again? what is your impression on why president biden stows france for this first state dinner? guest: it is a big complement to france. he could have chosen another ally. i think it demonstrates two things. the first, how france is important ballot speaking. on space or on climate. the second element of why france is a recognition that france is very important when you want to address european issues. if you want to have a joint strategy to keep unity on the war in ukraine but also within the european union, within nato, you need france on board. this honor is not just about having a dinner and the protocol, but also demonstrating how the french-american relationship can deliver on europe. host: john kirby, the spokesman for the national security council, briefed reporters ahead of time on what they hope to accomplish durin