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Happy 4th of July

Famous Friday [Round Up]

Amanda Carpenter and Howie Kurtz refereed the Dana Milbank vs. Nico Pitney battle, Art Bochner is heading back to NYC, the ghost of Ken Kesey is selling books for Ryan Grim, Chris Cooley burned a horse, Jack Victory celebrated a birthday, folks are gearing up for the CEG Party on the Potomac and Michael Saylor’s bash, DC United barely beat an amateur soccer club from Ocean City, Dean Heller changed Tweet Congress, Ken Johnson and Charlie Rangel battled for David Espo, Edward Felker got a Drudge bomb, Larry Farnsworth tweeted from the golf course, Ryan Howell learned the importance of locking his iPhone, Republicans were few and far between at PDF, Sean Grant got a new gig, Politico got in a slap fight with the Washington Post over who is prettier, Brody Mullins and T.W. Farnam grounded a few planned CODELs, Erin Billings was promoted to Deputy Editor of Roll Call, Brian Walsh hosted an NRSC bbq with all his favorite journalists, Wilco released their streamed album, David Axelrod read to kids and then had three glasses of wine at Logan Tavern, Kal Penn moved into his DC digs, Nora McAlvanah and Mike Allen worked on their respective morning briefings at BLT, Pawlenty was in DC when the MN ruling came down and only two journalists talked to him, Reggie Love makes six figures…and Yes Mr. Cillizza, politics is amazing.

Dear MSM: What Ever Happened to Not Sucking?

Yesterday’s coverage of the WaPo "Pay to Print" saga dominated the news .  Even Mark Sanford was relieved to know that it would be highly improbable that his name would be mentioned in the same breath as this scandal.

Or would it…

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) had his mistress and the Washington Post Co. has hers. Sanford was after love. The Post was after money.  [all politics is local]

Better luck on the Sports page, Mark.

Who Let the Dogs Out?

Team Boehner just released a pretty clever new web ad.

You can’t go wrong with animals in YouTube videos.  Just ask Nancy .

Note: First office to use a monkey wins.

The Coolest Kids in the Room

Congress is out of town … what should we talk about?

How about we all talk about each other ?

I heart Politico

Michael Wolff: Beltway Boys

But I used to hate them

Gawker: Michael Wolff Used to Hate Politico

I don’t heart Politico

Alex Pareene: Politico is Revolutionary Says Man Who Should Just Be Writing About His Affair

Wait, didn’t the Plank already cover this?

Gabriel Sherman: Politico’s Darkening Clouds

We need a referee for all of this Politico talk

Michael Calderone: Media Food Chain

So … let’s get this straight: Politico is the future of journalism and all other newspapers are dead.

Right?

What do you think Gawker?

Hamilton Nolan: Let’s Screw Up the Entire Internet to Save Newspapers

Whew.

That was stressful.

We’re actually looking forward to Congress coming back.

UPDATE : Alex Pareene has issued a fatwah against Michael Wolff

Gawker: Michael Wolff: He Used to Have a Mustache, And Credibility

The Republican Wives Club

Here’s your mind-blowing fact of the day:

However, Politico notes that "in the 14 years since that star-crossed class arrived in Washington espousing an agenda that placed family values at its core, no less than a dozen of its members have been caught up in affairs, sex scandals or in messy separations and divorces from their spouses that, in more than a few instances, led to their political downfalls." [Goddard]

And those were just the ones who got caught.

If only these women would get together and write a book …  Suggested title: Term Limits

Politico vs. The Washington Post

What a week.

First we learned the ex-WaPo reporters, John Harris and Jim VandeHei, registered www.postpolitics.com and then sold it back to The Washington Post AFTER they started Politico.

VF: Beltway Boys

Harris and VandeHei had begun, early on, registering domain names, including postpolitics.com, which the Post, when it began to realize it might have to do some online coverage of its own, bought back for an undisclosed sum last year

Today Politico fired another Roman Candle across the river.

Mike Allen’s Playbook :

EXCLUSIVE – For $25,000 to $250,000, The Washington Post is offering lobbyists and association executives OFF THE RECORD, NON-CONFRONTATIONAL access to Obama administration officials, members of Congress, and the paper’s own reporters and editors. Here’s a flier that was circulated yesterday to a health-care lobbyist, who said he feels it’s a conflict for the paper to charge for access to its “health care reporting and editorial staff.” The flier was provided to Politico last night at Rhodeside Grill (hat tip: “Nate Peters”)

Something is fishy in the Potomac.

UPDATE : Mike Allen posted an entire story and will include WaPo’s response when it arrives. Of course, this has also been Drudge bombed .

UPDATE 2 : Fark has jumped into fray .

UPDATE 3: Politico doesn’t look to be backing down. They’re pushing this story against their media brethren on their front page.

UPDATE 4: The Washington Post responds.

FishbowlDC: WaPo responds to Weymouth Salon Debacle

The flier circulated this morning came out of a business division for conferences and events, and the newsroom was unaware of such communication. It went out before it was properly vetted, and this draft does not represent what the company’s vision for these dinners which are meant to be an independent, policy-oriented events for newsmakers.

As written, the newsroom could not participate in an event like this.

We do believe there is an opportunity to have a conferences and events business, and that The Post should be leading these conversations in Washington, big or small, while maintaining journalistic integrity. The newsroom will participate where appropriate.

UPDATE 5 : Calderone: WaPo responds to flier controversy

Executive editor Marcus Brauchli addressed the flier in a staff memo obtained by POLITICO. Brauchli said the paper "will not participate in events where promises are made that in exchange for money."

UPDATE 6 : Boy, this escalated quickly.

Politico: WaPo cancels lobbyist event amid uproar

Richard Perez-Pena: Washington Post Cancels Series of ‘Salons’ Charging Lobbyists for Access to Its Staff

FishbowlDC: Brauchli Declares WaPo "Newsroom Independence"

UPDATE 7: Everyone in the pool!

Barack Obama’s Teleprompter: The O Experience

UPDATE 8 : White House responds

Politico: Gibbs tackles WaPo controversy

UPDATE 9 : WaPo Ombud Responds

Andrew Alexander: The Post’s ‘Salon’ Plan: A Public Relations Disaster

For a storied newspaper that cherishes its reputation for ethical purity, this comes pretty close to a public relations disaster.

Politico reported this morning that The Post has been soliciting lobbyists to pay from $25,000 to $250,000 to underwrite off-the-record “salons” at the home of publisher Katharine Weymouth that would provide access to administration and congressional leaders and the paper’s reporters and editors.

The story, accurately reported by Politico (and former Post) reporter Mike Allen, is based on a flier being circulated by a new marketing arm of The Post that has been created to host conferences and events.

UPDATE 10 : Weymouth sends memo to WaPo staff

Matt Dornic: Weymouth Offers Explanation to WaPo Staff

UPDATE 11: Howard Kurtz weighs in

Kurtz: Post Publisher Cancels Plans for Off-the-Record ‘Salons’

The Post Co. lost $19.5 million in the first quarter and just completed its fourth round of early-retirement buyouts in several years, prompting Weymouth to look for new sources of revenue.

UPDATE 12 : Jamison Foser uses 2,775 words to tell us he’s had enough

Media Matters: Howard Kurtz’s wasted opportunity

Something to Think About

Jonathan Favreau makes $172,000 a year.

John Boehner and Tiger Woods Golfing Together

Only in America:

The Republican Leader of the US House golfs with Tiger Woods
Jessica Simpson sings the National Anthem
DC fans boo Tony Romo

DC Sports Blog: Redskins, Tiger Woods and Jessica Simpson

[Boehner, by the way, swings right-handed but putts left-handed, with his body facing the hole. It's bizarre.]

Some wise soul managed to write "Go Redskins" in Romo’s yardage book, which was one of the better moments of the day. The best, though, was the guy in the Art Monk hat standing directly behind Romo on the 7th tee. "Hit it like it’s December," the guy said. That guy deserves an award. So does the guy following them around for nine holes wearing the "Dallas Sucks" t-shirt.

More pics, here.

h/t to the tipster that sent over the photo

When Jonathan Martin Speaks - You Pay To Listen

What’s the World Coming To?

People are paying to hear JoMa.

Congratulations to our Secretary of Education.

Famously Quoteworthy: Meghan McCain

"I want Hilary Duff to play me. I think she’s really hot — hotter than me — but I’d still want her to play me" — Meghan McCain, imagining herself in movie form (New York Daily News) .

h/t Wake Up Call

Dear Sanford and Sun, Remember the Rule of Holes - When You’re In One, Stop Digging

Dear Mark — We talked to our spiritual advisor today, and he told us to tell you - it’s about time to move on.  [dude, seriously...]

Kenny Rogers might have said it best …

You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.

Happy Choosing,

FDC

FamousDC - July

Ashley Estill
Chanelle Hardy
Claudine Hellmuth
Dana Ayanna Greaves
Julie Kosterlitz
Ricardo Ramirez
Maria Recupero
Alejandra Owens
Christina Wilkie
Natalie Wyeth

Stuart Smalley Finally Declared Winner — Begins Reelection Bid Tomorrow

The longest Senate campaign in history is finally over. [diapers]

Democrat Al Franken, a satirist turned politician, was declared the winner of a Senate seat in Minnesota on Tuesday, clearing the way for President Barack Obama’s party to secure a critical 60-seat majority in the Senate.  [live from DC...]

Asked if he was ready to begin his illustrious career in the Senate, Franken couldn’t help but inject humor:

"I really will be catching up," he acknowledged. "I’ll hit the ground, if not running, trotting."

We look forward to following Mr. Al’s work. Good luck, sir.

Chaos, Arm Twisting - WWF or Congress?

Last week Nancy Pelosi spent a majority of the week sweating out the Cap and Trade bill.  Even while her colleagues enjoyed a Hawaiian luau thanks to President Obama, she was gearing up for the Royal Rumble.  [some things never change]

Pelosi and her top lieutenants would spend the next four hours whipping, cajoling, begging and browbeating undecided Democrats — and triple-checking their whip lists to decide who was a solid “yes” and who was prevaricating on the cap-and-trade legislation.

Just how serious was Pelosi in regards to making sure she had enough votes…

At one point, she even promised to escort one member out to the airport in her motorcade to catch an early flight — as House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) stalled the proceedings with an hourlong reading from the 300-page manager’s amendment.  [yellow cab]

Some Democrats didn’t play nice though:

Leadership aides say Texas Rep. Ciro Rodriguez promised Pelosi he’d vote yes, but voted no and sprinted from the chamber. California Rep. Xavier Becerra tried unsuccessfully to flag him on his cell phone — and Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) bounded into the ornate Speaker’s Lobby off the floor shouting, “Rodriguez! Rodriguez!” as puzzled reporters looked on.

And in case this whole Congress doesn’t work out for some lawmakers, there’s always bouncing:

Washington Rep. Jay Inslee, one of the taller members of the House, guarded the doors on the floor leading out to the Speaker’s Lobby, warning members not to leave the floor in case anyone needed to switch his or her vote.

Question: Will the Senate stay awake long enough to make this even more interesting?

Are the Detroit Lions Better Than the Redskins?

Jarrett thinks so.

Stet Sports Blog: Five Reasons Why the Detroit Lions Are in Better Shape Than the Washington NFL Franchise

5. Threshold of Expectations

4. Happy People

3. The Hunger for More

2. The Washington Post Lives

1. Tailgating is welcomed at Ford Field

Famously Tweeted: White House Puts Ashton Kutcher To the “Test”

What happens when Robert Gibbs is too busy ?  You call on Hollywood… [this one's on the house]

The Obama admin. has confirmed that it "did, in fact, seek" Ashton Kutcher’s "help" in getting "the word out" about Nat’l HIV Testing Day (Politico ).

Next up: Shaq will help the White House promote weight loss.

h/t Wake Up Call

Famously Overlooked: Sotomayor’s Supreme Motorcycle Chase?

$10 to the first Senator to ask Sotomayor about this at her confirmation hearing?

New York Times: Sotomayor, a Trailblazer, and a Dreamer [but did she wear a bullet proof vest?]

“At other times, it involved more derring-do: if the firm had a tip from the United States Customs Office about a suspicious shipment, Ms. Sotomayor would often be involved in the risky maneuver of going to the warehouse to have the merchandise seized. One incident that figures largely in firm lore was a seizure in Chinatown, where the counterfeiters ran away, and Ms. Sotomayor got on a motorcycle and gave chase. ”

We’re pretty sure the whole episode went down like this — which means Senator Sessions should be asking for a copy of her motorcycle driver’s permit in t-minus 5 minutes.

We hate to be the ones to crush Sotomayor’s superhero dreams, but it’s worth pointing out that allowing these stories to live on isn’t always helpful. [insert Hillary and the Bosnian bullets]

Recess Reading: Purdum on Palin

Spend a few minutes with your morning coffee and check out Todd S. Purdum’s take on the Palin campaign.

Vanity Fair: It Came From Wasilla

Despite her disastrous performance in the 2008 election, Sarah Palin is still the sexiest brand in Republican politics, with a lucrative book contract for her story. But what Alaska’s charismatic governor wants the public to know about herself doesn’t always jibe with reality. As John McCain’s top campaign officials talk more candidly than ever before about the meltdown of his vice-presidential pick, the author tracks the signs—political and personal—that Palin was big trouble, and checks the forecast for her future.

Officer Garland “Jaywalking” Thompson Set To Retire

If you work on Capitol Hill and have ever crossed the intersection of First and C St., you’ve likely had some sort of encounter with Officer Garland "Jaywalking" Thompson.

Thompson, a 30 year veteran of the Capitol Hill police force best known for his whistle and absent sense of humor, is retiring on Tuesday. Thompson is also the only active member of the Capitol Hill Police Department who has managed to hand out more tickets than the DC Examiner guy hands out newspapers at Cap South.  [wait for the light, ma'am]

Those who know Thompson won’t be surprised. The 57-year old Capitol Police officer is known for his tenacious enforcement of traffic laws near the Capitol South Metro station, where he has spent more than 30 years scolding jaywalkers and issuing parking tickets.

He will retire on Tuesday, leaving behind a legacy of — depending on who you ask — admirable morals or overzealous policing.

If all hell breaks loose beginning Wednesday, we’ll know why…

FamousDC wishes Officer Thompson the best of luck.  The corner of First and C St. will never quite be the same.