Chaos, Arm Twisting – WWE 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?

Hyper Hill

About [FamousDC ]
Politics [alltop ]

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.

Congressman Lee Terry Channels His Inner-Rahm

It’s this kind of thing that can help politicians lock up the youth vote:

The invective that CQ reporter Richard Rubin overheard at 1st and C streets Southeast from Republican Rep. Lee Terry this morning is hardly the kind of language you’d expect to hear in Omaha on a Sunday morning. [f-bomb]

Ask President Obama a Question on YouTube

YouTube: Submit Your Question for President Obama

President Obama is taking your questions this Wednesday in a special online health care townhall event. With healthcare at the top of the President’s agenda, he is opening up the White House to questions via YouTube. Create a 20- or 30-second video question and submit it as a reply video to the video below (go here to get started). He’ll answer some of the most popular questions during the event, which we’ll stream live from the White House YouTube channel.

This is your chance to speak directly to the President, so don’t miss this opportunity to upload your video now. Make sure the sound and video quality are as clear as they can be, and if you’d like, leave your name and your hometown in the video description.

Yours,
Steve Grove
YouTube News & Politics

Hyper Hill

Not a Good Sign [Wizards ]
Best Wedding [Red Sox ]
Flip Cup [princess ]
Climate Bill [poo ]
Enough [already ]
Godzilla [scary ]

Please Release Me: Brain Smarts

Study: DC folks read and eat well; have low level of emotional support.

First Brain Health lndex Ranks America’s “Brain Smarts” Based on 21 Indicators: D.C. Ranks No. 1
Life’s DHA Index of Brain HealthSM Asks and Answers: Does Your State Have the Healthiest Brains?

COLUMBIA, Md. – The first comprehensive state-by-state measure of the nation’s brain healthprovides new insights into just how “brain smart” Americans are and points to simple actions they can take to boost brain health and lead healthier lives. The life’sDHA Index of Brain HealthSM (www.AmericasBrainHealth.com) evaluated the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia based on 21 brain health indicators in the areas of diet, physical health, mental health and social well-being.

According to the life’sDHA Index of Brain Health, the District of Columbia ranks 1st in the nation. In addition to consuming high amounts of fish and DHA omega-3-fortified foods and supplements, residents of the nation’s capital are bookworms, ranking top in the nation (tying with Alaska) in reading for personal interest. Other strengths include high consumption of fruits and vegetables and a high sleeping rate. On the other hand, certain challenges include a high rate of cardiovascular disease-related deaths (ranked 43rd nationwide) and a low level of emotional support (ranked 44th nationwide).

Famously Facebooked

Facebook Status Abuse: [posted by a lawyer]

Today a few jurors asked me, "What do you do?" I responded, "I run this court." After working a 12-hour day, the judge told me, "Thank you."

There are some people in the world who mind their own business and work hard, all for the sake of bettering mankind – then there’s this douchebag of the day, who thinks he’s entirely more important than he actually is.

Do you know someone who abuses their updates?  Report it below …

Famous Line of the Week: Sanford Soap Opera

The Famous line of the week in a political story award goes to Jonathan Martin for this forbidden gem.

JoMa: South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford’s affair turns political

The intra-party machinations highlight a part of the Sanford soap opera that goes past the governor’s lust for forbidden flesh.

Billy Mays, Twitter and the Final Destination

Last week was one of the most bizarre news weeks in recent history, but the weirdness continues…

American pitchman and advertiser Billy Mays has died at the age of 50. Mays was probably most known for his catch phrase ‘Billy Mays here’ and the pitching of the multipurpose cleaning product OxiClean.

And now this mind-blowing development via Twitter.  [from Saturday]

h/t NextRound

Welcome Back Eastern Market

Eastern Market is back open.

DC on a Dime cruised by and put up a few pics .

Famous Friday [Round Up]

Andrew Mirsky and friends talked Twitter and Redskins, Kyle Nevins and family are Playbook Royalty, Team Obama announced he’ll throw out the first pitch at the All-Star game — which set the Nationals into a tailspin, Patrick O’Connor celebrated a birthday, Ana Marie Cox explained Famous for DC to the Twitterverse, Josh Rogin was hit by a cab (and given a ticket for reckless walking), Chris Cillizza declared "douchebag" an 1980’s put down, the FLOTUS, Sasha and Malia rocked out with Beyonce at Verizon, Matthews and Scarborough had another pissing match, Waxman and Markey made a buddy movie with the Blue Dogs, the 2012 potential presidential candidate list got shorter-er, the United States Soccer team beat some team that no one was paying attention to either, Jonathan Kaplan might actually get to move into his office in the State Department, Politico’s Playbook said Michael Jackson made Obama possible (really?) and Sanford’s staff thought he said "Appalachian Trail" instead of  "Argentinian Tail."

Hyper Hill

Smooth Criminal [MJ ]
Don’t Stop [MJ ]
Billie Jean [MJ ]
Thriller [MJ ]
Beat It [MJ ]
PYT [MJ ]

NPR Turns Camera On Lobbyists – Will They Start Wearing Disguises?

Has This Ever Happened Before?

NPR turns the cameras on the lobbyists and calls out how much their firms make.

Spot the lobbyists?

Spot the Gucci?

Where’s Waldo [and his lobbying disclosures] ?

If they keep this up, we bet they’ll lose a few corporate donations next year.

UPDATE: A reader wonders whether or not they can incorporate Facebook technology and "tag" photos of these lobbyists.

When In Doubt, Play the “Faith” Card

Politico begs the question: Why so few women in infidelity club?

When South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford admitted to an extramarital affair on Wednesday, he presented an all-too-familiar tableau: the pained expressions, contrite words and teary gaze of a male politician confessing sexual indiscretion. Coming close on the heels of a similar admission from Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), it is clear that sex scandals will always be with us.

But after two of the same dramas within two weeks, it’s fair to ask: Does the casting ever change? Are female politicians really that much more faithful — or are they just not getting caught?

For more on "Sex Scandals" of the last decade, try this on for size.

And stay tuned next week when Politico asks the question:  Why do so many politicans part their hair to the left?

Congressional Playground Fight: Obey Vs. Waters

Folks, you can’t make this up …

Last night on the House floor, David Obey battled Maxine Waters and her quest for the "Maxine Waters School for Kids Who Can’t Read Good."

Roll Call: Obey, Waters Fight on House Floor

House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) engaged in a shoving match on the House floor early Thursday evening that ended with Obey raising his voice and bellowing, “I’m not going to approve that earmark!”

Politico: Obey-Waters clash on House floor

House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-Wisc.) and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) engaged in a late afternoon shouting match on the House floor after Obey reportedly rebuffed Waters on a $1 million earmark request, aides and witnesses said.

Witnesses, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it appeared that Waters pushed or shoved Obey.

The Hill: Obey, Waters in Noisy Floor Fight

“You’re out of line,” Waters shot while walking down toward the well.

“You’re out of line,” Obey shot back before turning and walking away.

But then Obey stopped, turned back toward Waters, and shouted: “I’m not going to approve that earmark!”

Wow, that was amazing .

Let’s go back to the tape.  Was this really Maxine’s comeback?

"He pushed me first!"

What didn’t work in elementary school, surely works now.

What should they do for punishment?

FamousDC suggests, each member spend 30 minutes in timeout and write 100 DoD appropriations requests.

UPDATE : Speaker Pelosi’s office has confirmed the following statement was delivered to both parties in the cloak room immediately after the floor fight:

Speaker Nancy Pelosi : "I don’t care who started it, the both of you will be quiet and keep your hands to yourself or so help me Obama, I will turn this House right around!  Do you hear me?"

UPDATE 2: A witness adds his first-hand account:

David Obey’s earmark throw down makes Jeff Flake look like one of those "Stop Bitching And Start a Revolution" guys in Georgetown.

UPDATE 3: A hill tipster said Congresswoman Waters sent this around to offices today (no mention of who pushed who first):

Congresswoman Waters would like to bring this to the attention of all of her colleagues. Please share her statement with your boss.

Additional information provided by the L.A. Unified School District about the program is attached.

On Thursday I inquired of Congressman David Obey of Wisconsin – Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee – why he instructed the Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services to deny my request for funding for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Adult Education Program.
Chairman Obey angrily replied, "I am not going to fund your request because you are attempting to circumvent my rule not to fund any project named after a Member."

I originally requested $1 million for job training programs provided by the Maxine Waters Employment Preparation Center (MWEPC), and I explained to Chairman Obey – as I have on many previous occasions – that the MWEPC is an official school within the LAUSD and that it serves the poorest part of my district, in fact one of the poorest communities in California if not the nation.

In addition, I explained that if Chairman Obey’s intent is to deny funds to Representatives who have used their position to name projects for themselves so as to further their political goals, that this was not the case for me: I emphasized that the school was named for me in 1989, prior to my becoming a Member of Congress.

The Watts community of Los Angeles where the MWEPC is located is one of the poorest areas in the United States. According to the 2000 census, median household income there was only $19,419, per capita income was only $6,720, unemployment was 48%, and nearly 65% of people over 25 have no high school or equivalent degree.

I have therefore worked hard to bring vocational and alternative education to Watts since my time in the California State Assembly. The MWEPC offers academic and career training programs to more than 9,000 people annually who desire to advance their education to improve their job prospects. By increasing the number of capable workers, it bolsters the local economy, particularly locally owned small businesses.

This school serves dropouts returning to school, poor families, and individuals seeking career development through vocational education in areas such as nursing, banking, and automotive mechanics. This specific request would fund programs for students interested in small business development and entrepreneurship.

At a time when unemployment in California and nationally is at record highs, and the recession is more like a depression for the Black and Latino residents of Watts, it seems we would want to fund and support a successful program like the MWEPC, which is a national model for employment training opportunities.

The MWEPC is certainly not a pet project, or even a private organization. The request to fund it is by no means linked to any campaign contribution. Far from being a "monument to me", the MWEPC is a public school within the Los Angeles Unified School District, and the Los Angeles Unified School District would be the direct recipient of the funding.

Following Chairman Obey’s earlier decision not to provide funding that I had requested for the MWEPC, I instead requested funding for the Adult Education Program of LAUSD, which would have discretion to apply the funds to job training programs it determined most appropriate. Chairman Obey decided to reject this request as well.

In my conversation with Chairman Obey, I tried to impress upon him the contradictions in an earmark process that funds projects and programs for private, affluent schools and other private, well-heeled organizations but denies requests for a successful public school program in such an impoverished community, particularly in these distressed economic times.

Chairman Obey was angry, and shouted that he didn’t care about my plea. He was absolutely clear that he wouldn’t fund the LAUSD Adult Education Program or the MWEPC, and an angry exchange ensued between us. This confrontation between us was further exacerbated when I noted that one Republican member from a much more affluent district received approval in the same committee markup for a funding request similar in amount to mine.

I will continue to advocate for what is right and fair for both my district and the country. The earmark process is arbitrary and favors projects advanced by high-paid lobbyists, and this is a prime example of how the system often works against the well-being of the poorest and neediest people in our country.

Just Asking . . .

How pumped is Mark Sanford right now?

RIP MJ

Dear POLITICO: Why So Many Question Marks ??

We enjoy stories about ManBearPig as much as the next person, but why did Politico’s latest piece include so many question marks? [we counted at least 17]

Famously Promoted: “Too Many White People”

This will be the funniest thing you read all day – so just click it.  ["okay, I sold weed in college"]

Hyper Hill

DC 101’s Elliott called it this morning [Fawcett ]
Here’s Looking at You [NoVa ]
Most Interesting [Academy ]
President [Beyonce ]
Wizards [trade ]
Green [litter ]

Looking For An Internship That Doesn’t Put Fire To Sleep?

Interns — you can go work for a member of Congress – who might or might not disappoint you, or you can bench press your brain and do something fun.

A tipster tells us New Media Strategies is hiring interns.

More info here .  Do it.

Sanford And Sun: One Man’s Crusade For The Perfect Tan Line

We guess marriage is between a man, woman and somebody from Argentina …

From Mark Sanford’s Inaugural Speech: [click]

"In not my, but our collective hands, is held the promise of change."

From Mark Sanford’s emails to his Argentian girlfriend: [click]

"The erotic beauty of you holding yourself (or two magnificent parts of yourself) in the faded glow of the night’s light."

While the Sanford story gets stranger by the minute [I love your tan lines] , we should remind you that his wife originally claimed that he was off "writing".

Working titles of his memoir include:

Foreign Affairs IS the Job of State Government

Hiking, Affairs and South Carolina – A Book About Golf

How I saved John Ensign’s Ass

I Will Not Accept Your Money, That Foreign Chick, However, Is Coming With Me

Who Says Republicans Don’t Have Fun?

If Spurier Wasn’t Going To Do Anything Exciting In SC, I was.

Sanford and Sun:  One Man’s Crusade For The Perfect Tan Line

Ana Marie Cox Explains Famous DC

This feels like having a senior thesis proven 100% right .

FisbowlDC: Tweet du Jour: Ana Marie Cox is Not Famous. Okay, Maybe Just a Little…

Yesterday on Twitter, Air America’s Ana Marie Cox defined her celebrity via "tweet" for a new follower.

@chiras56 asks:

@anamariecox are you someone famous?? no, seriously.. i dont wanna google you.. think of it as twitter experiment.. sorry btw for not knowin

And though @chiras56 found it too tedious of a task to Google her, Cox was kind enough to define her fame for the Twitter follower:

@chiras56 No, I am not someone famous. I am famous "for DC" and perhaps "on the Internet." This is very different than being "famous."

Longworth Flash Mob Update: Cameraman Cheats

Yesterday, a creative bunch of folks got together for what they called a "flash mob" protest.  We don’t quite remember what they were protesting, but at the time we wrote the post, we predicted that about five people would show up.  We were wrong.

There was 6 or 7 — okay, 40.  But hardly a "mob."

h/t Anne

PS: The cameraman clearly cheated – he moved the whole time.  Loser.

Mark McKinnon’s Tale Of Two Days

Ever fired off an email and then regretted it a day later?  What about a blog post?

As much as having a virtual bullhorn at your finger tips is nice, it can also be a pain in the ass.

Case in point: Mark McKinnon’s blog [driving traffic]

6/23/09 | Sanford for President

The South Carolina governor isn’t an irresponsible lunatic for wandering off the reservation—he just made himself a better bet for president in 2012.

6/24/09 | Sanford Should Resign

After his disastrous press conference, the South Carolina governor ought to pack his bags, The Daily Beast’s Mark McKinnon writers. Now who’ll be GOP savior in 2012?

You can’t get ‘em all right.

Boom Goes the Dynamite! Sanford Admits Affair — Ensign Thrilled

Gov. Mark Sanford just spent 30 minutes apologizing to everyone he has ever met, ate breakfast with or sat next to in church -  before admitting to having an affair. [with a female]

The only person happy about this news — Sen. John Ensign.

Open Letter To Governor Mark Sanford Re: His Appalachian Fakeout

Dear Governor Sanford,

When Senator John Ensign confessed to an affair with a former staffer, we were amused but not necessarily impressed .

Then you came along with your unplanned vacation to South America.

Your staff thought you were hiking in the woods – but not you, you wanted something special. Something exotic.
And thus the summer just got more interesting.

Your motivation? You wanted to get away from a tough legislative season. [take the money]

Who among us hasn’t wanted to get away from it all. But not since the runaway bride have we seen someone take stress so far  – and for that we salute you.

Best hopes for the future.

FamousDC

PS: Did you happen to snag any souvenirs while you were away?

Hyper Hill

Urban [hitchhiking ]
That ain’t right [BK ]
Mad [project ]
Ouch [Nats ]
Ray [Ray ]

Transgender Opponents With $5 In Their Campaign Coffers Don’t Make Roy Blunt Nervous

It looks like Roy Blunt might have himself a pretty formidable opponent in his bid to capture a Missouri Senate seat.

Transgender political activist Midge Potts says she’ll attempt to run for U.S. Senate under the Progressive Party banner.

Potts, who ran against Roy Blunt in the GOP 7th District primary in 2006, says she’ll make an official announcement Thursday. The Progressive Party currently doesn’t have ballot status, so she’ll need 10,000 verified signatures.  [over/under on this not happening?]

Issues that will play an integral part of Midge’s platform include: [but are certainly not limited to]

1. Withdrawing all US troops from the Middle East [creative]
2. Balancing the federal budget [easy]
3. Abolishing the IRS [realistic]
4. Making it legal for American farmers to grow hemp and marijuana [game changer]

When asked how much money she had in her campaign bank account, her response, "five dollars." [brutally honest]

Pots is set to kick off her campaign at the Magic Bean Coffee House in Springfield, MO.

Watch the video here .  [worth it]

Famously Spotted

Fred Barnes leaving Starbucks on Route One near Old Town, VA.

I’m a Governor — Get Me Outta Here!

Move over Heidi and Spencer — you two aren’t the only ones who decided to get away from it all in order to hang out in the wilderness.

Ben Smith: Sanford was in Argentina [why would anyone want to go there?]

Before everyone starts giving him a hard time about this, please take a look at this map … Looks JUST like South Carolina to us. No?

Capitol Press Credentials for Huffington Post?

Does this justify every MSM’er argument against giving Bloggers press credentials and media access on the Capitol grounds?

Huffington Post and Obama White House coordinate on Iran question

Michael Calderone: Obama calls on HuffPost for Iran question

In what appeared to be a coordinated exchange, President Obama called on the Huffington Post’s Nico Pitney near the start of his press conference and requested a question directly about Iran.

UPDATE: Good coverage on the back-and-forth can be found at FishbowlDC: WH Theater: HuffPo Q "Staged" at Presser

Iranian Peace Protest in Washington, D.C.

On our way to pick up a spinach and feta pizza at Whole Foods (don’t judge), we passed an Iranian peace protest marching towards Embassy Row.

We snapped a quick photo as they were walking in front of the Vice President’s Residence:

It is pretty dang cool to live in a city where world politics are a part of our everyday lives.

And this post give us a chance to link to this again .

We’re “95%” Sure Someone Needs To Get President Obama A Smoke

Things got a little testy today between President Barack Obama and McClatchy’s Margaret Talev. It sounds like it might be time to get POTUS back on the wagon – although he claims he’s "95%" cured.

Hyper Hill

Old Questions [Mike DeBonis ]
Close Call [Toddler Planet ]
Red line coverage [Mathis ]
DC Metro [unsuck ]
Too soon [Stern ]

Capitol Lounge: Bring The Heat Ticket Giveaway

Capitol Lounge, which has experienced its fair share of "heat," is sponsoring a "Bring the Heat" giveaway while the Boston Red Sox are in town.

The challenge: Get real drunk and then attempt to throw a baseball as hard as you can.  If your pitch is the fastest, you win tickets to the Nats Red Sox game. [male and female winners]

The event starts at 4pm today, tomorrow, and Thursday.

Next Page »