PartyLines- photographs by Patrick McMullan

Why are you honoring Alice Waters tonight? “Alice Waters has been the generator of all the new ideas in food in America.” —Bette Midler

—Alice Waters

Are you ready for the election to be over? “It’s as if you’ve been pregnant for a long time — you just want to have the baby.” —Michael Kors

—Pink

Do you get to cut in line at the polls because you’re famous? “No. But where I vote there’s usually not that many people.” —Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

—Kathy Griffin

Do you get a lot of trick-or-treaters? “People won’t come up to our house because it’s a half-mile and it’s really scary up there.” —Kate Pierson

—Jimmy Buffett

How is the recession affecting your life? “It validates me, I’m sorry to say.” —Suze Orman

—Gloria Gaynor

What are your plans for Election Day? “I’m going to Chicago. I’m planning to do all the rounds of all the parties on Tuesday night.” —André Leon Talley

Did you have a long wait to vote early in Florida? “I was there 45 minutes. I’m on the beach and there are only 100,000 voters on the beach.” —Gloria Estefan

—Fred Schneider

Are you following the election closely? “The Miss Universe organization bought me an iPod so I can download current events. I’m still learning.” —Stevi Perry, Miss Teen USA

—John McEnroe and Patty Smyth

What’s the worst thing to give a kid on Halloween? “Asparagus.” —Sandra Lee