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.

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

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.

FamousDC - July

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

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.

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.

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."

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

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."

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

DC Late Night Eat Spots

We’ve all been there before.

It’s late.

You’ve been out.

You’ve had a great time with your friends.

But you’re STARVING!

What to do?

Luckily for everyone, DC on a Dime has our back.

DC on a Dime: DC Late Night Eat Spots

• Bistro Francais (Georgetown)
  
• Five Guys Hamburgers (Georgetown)
• Kramerbooks and Afterwords (Dupont Circle)
• Julia’s Empanadas (Dupont Circle/Adams Morgan)
  
• The Diner (Adams Morgan)
• Steak ‘n Egg Kitchen (Wisconsin Ave)
• Ben’s Chili Bowl (U Street)

Books on Washington’s Famous Heroes

Everyone in Washington has written a book, is writing one or plans to. One of our favorite readers sent in a few suggestions for book titles for Washington’s Heroes.

These are all in good fun, please don’t take ‘em seriously.

Washington’s Famous Heroes:

You thought it, I said it
Joe Biden does Joe Biden

Sex, Money and Power - How I Managed to Get None of Them
By Jessica Cutler

A Goatee, Two First Names and a Dream: The Chuck Todd story

Wrestling Was Easier - My time as Speaker
By Denny Hastert

Bathroom Etiquette
By Larry Craig

Stop with all the hard questions - My time as Chair of the Intel Committee
By Silvestre Reyes

Don’t Call Me Liz!  The rise and fall of Elizabeth Becton

Why I don’t drive a Taxi : Senator Kennedy’s advice on picking a career

Bob Dole would like you to read this book about Bob Dole
By Bob Dole

I’m boring huh?  I’ll take your f****g car!  - What’s Al Gore been up to since 2000

Move over Mr. Larouche, There’s only room for one of us: The future of Ron Paul

Page Turner: A fascinating book about Mark Foley

Cold Hard Cash: William Jefferson’s savings secrets

The Idiot’s Guide to Getting Caught in a Prostitution Ring
By David Vitter

TMI
By Mark Foley

How to Buy Friends and Intimidate People
By Jack Murtha

The Sneetches are communists and other crazy things I’ve said on cable news
By Michele Bachmann

One vote, Two vote, Ok, I’m tired.
By James Clyburn

New JibJab Video: He’s Barack Obama

Happy Monday

We’re almost there.

The 4th of July break is right around the corner.

(Photo courtesy of Tom Williams Working III )

President Obama’s Keynote Address - 2009 RTCA Dinner

Video courtesy of C-SPAN:

President Obama was the keynote speaker at the 2009 Radio and TV Correspondents’ Dinner. Presidents traditionally poke fun at themselves, their administration and the journalists who cover Washington. This video includes President Obama’s entire remarks from the dinner.

Matt Dornic Breaks News: Does Roll Call Print Money?

FishbowlDC: ‘CQ’ to Join ‘Roll Call’ Under Economist Group

While other publications are talking about breaking even next year, Roll Call is buying up everyone in D.C.

What’s next?

Roll Call Sports Illustrated
Roll Call Playboy
Roll Call Readers Digest

Famous Friday [Round Up]

Maureen Dowd gave her eye Dr (Jay Klessman) a NY Times shout-out, Mike O’Brien got the President’s reg reform online - FAST, Sen. Dianne Feinstein canceled Heather Podesta’s "first course" lunch, Sean Donahue brought the ‘Citizen’s Briefing Book’ to the pages of Roll Call, Ensign didn’t show up to pitch and Republicans lose: more apologies coming,  Elizabeth Becton hates being called Liz, Chris Van Buren and Will DiNovi missed a few big ones, Jessica Boulanger, Roll Call’s David Drucker and  Bloomberg’s Nick Johnston all celebrated a birthday, Democrats now own: White House, Senate, House and the Dugout, Mike Allen celebrated his birthday at Tammy Haddad’s and TI is still in prison.

48th Annual Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game

Republicans vs. Democrats

Members of Congress playing baseball

Staffers drinking on a school night

Yep, this sounds like a great opportunity for live Twitter updates.

A few FamousDC editors are sending real time updates from the baseball game.

You can check it out here: www.twitter.com/FamousDC

Off the Mountain: JC Watts

Erik Brady:‘The American way’: Sports hire lobbyists for Capitol Hill clout

"That is what it is," Watts says. "I don’t think you’ll find any government affairs shop that believes they’re overpaid."

Dear President Obama: We Want These Five

Why are we buying companies losing money by the minute?

We want these.

Diatribes by Joah

President Obama: 5 Companies US Taxpayers Would Like to Own

President Obama,

We wanted to write you and see if you would consider buying into some American companies that we think would be sounder investments than General Motors, AIG and some of the other companies you’ve been using our money for. Thank you, in advance, for your consideration.

Nike

Pros - They’re based in Oregon, so you and Michelle can see your brother coach basketball games at Oregon State. You could have an endless supply of shoes to play basketball in and could probably play one-on-one with MJ, Kobe and Lebron. They make the coolest commercials so you could probably figure out a way to get some awesome campaign ads made for 2012. You’d have even more leverage over the Chinese government since you’d be employing thousands of their citizens.

Cons - They have run into some labor issues and you’d have to get the unions to support it. Oregon is already a blue state so you wouldn’t pick up any votes.

Apple

Pros - You could make a deal that gives all public schools Mac computers which would help close the digital divide. You would never have to think up gift ideas for Malia and Sasha. Your campaign team could come up with a cool product called the iBama that basically kept your voters plugged into you at all times, which would certainly raise an insane amount of campaign money for you.

Cons - You’d be on Bill Gates’ bad side. AT&T doesn’t provide service on the DC Metro. Steve Jobs’ health is a concern.

Google

Pros - They could make sure only good things about you come up in searches. They could make sure only bad things come up in searches about your opponents. You could monitor the entire Internet for terrorism-related activity, legally. You could make your campaign site the official home page of Google so people would be doing a search from BarackObama.com with a picture of you and your family in the background.

Cons - Google may be evil. Google could see to the end of newspapers, which wouldn’t be good for Democratic candidates since they need the endorsements.

Tiger Woods

Pros - He isn’t a company, but he makes money like one and has high brand awareness. Lebron wants to be the first billionaire athlete, but Tiger will beat him. He’s multi-racial so you guys can connect on that. You could bring him with you for major foreign policy trips and he could give golf tips in exchange for national security tips (i.e. Tiger will show you how to save par here if you tell us exactly where Osama bin Laden is hiding?) Malia and Sasha could babysit his kids in a few years.

Cons - He’s very busy and at least four weekends of the year, you’d have zero access to him. His wife was a nanny/model and your wife is a former university administrator so they may not get along well. Augusta National, where the Masters is played in Georgia, isn’t exactly the best place for a Black family to visit.

Whole Foods

Pros - You could do even more to encourage healthy living in the US. You could raise organic food standards through legislation so that only stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s could survive. Michelle would be impressed with your cooking even though it’s really pre-cooked. They’re based in Austin, so you could visit a lot and possibly turn Texas into a blue state.

Cons - Most Americans can’t afford the food here on a regular basis. Like Nike, you probably wouldn’t pick up any votes by doing this since their customers and employees are already liberal.

I know there are some other companies that would be sound investments, but these are the five that we think a) we could get more than 50 percent of us to agree on, b) doesn’t hurt you significantly in the ‘12 election (unlike GM) and c) would actually do something to help the economy.

Respectfully,

American taxpayers

Famous Friday [Round Up]

Abby Phillip shot down several hill flacks with her mile-high story, Kim Oates celebrated a birthday, Garrett Graff’s top 50 list hit the intertubes, Shannon Flaherty joined Teresa, Doug, Matt and Taylor, Amanda Carpenter got a Drudge bomb with her union story, John Pappas and his poker players have been dealt better hands, The Hill forgot about Jared Allen, Sasha celebrated her 8th birthday by visiting the set of freakin Harry Potter, Look out Fenty! — Owen Wilson is making the rounds in DC like he’s running for Mayor, Karen Ignagni pulled a Grover and hit the front page of National Journal, the DTV transition is upon us today, Manny Rosales is back (again), Liz Mair got one year older, Ryan Grim launched, John Hawkins keeps trying to catch wild cats, Corbin Casteel sent a Texas-sized message, Katherine Lehr is now referencing Ludacris in Hotline stories and everyone had the munchies during John McCaslin’s book party at Tackle Box.

Arlington: The Rap

Spot on.

h/t bretmanley and great work @GoRemy

Our favorite lines:

So many places to choose
you’re gonna like to pick
I’m in Courthouse so much that
they call me Michael Vick

But we never do drugs
no, cuz that’s not me
the only thing high up in here
are my condo fees

Famously Overheard: “Dude, Get Me Off This Camel”

Reggie Love to whoever would listen at the time: "I did NOT sign up for this sh*t. I thought this job involved playing hoops and eating burgers with the boss."

Reports are that Rahm enjoyed the ride.

*Photo courtesy of the WH flickr page.

Today’s Top Talker: 50 Top DC Journalists

Yes, we realize this has been on the magazine rack at Whole Foods for days and drove Beltway dinner conversations last weekend - but just like the rest of Washington, we love lists — and this one is now online and linkable .

Washingtonian: 50 Top Journalists 2009

Did Garrett Graff make friends or enemies with this top 50 list?

Was every candidate from the FamousDC Media Ticket also on the Washingtonian’s roll?

Our favorite section is the Dozen Rising Stars :

Jonathan Capehart, Washington Post. A dapper and familiar face to MSNBC viewers, editorial writer Capehart is a reasoned and interesting pundit.

Lindsay Czarniak, WRC-TV. Few local journalists seem destined for more exposure on the national stage than Channel 4’s sports anchor. The only question is where she’ll end up. ESPN? The Today show?

Yunji De Nies, ABC. For the last year, Good Morning America viewers have been rewarded with engaging reports from ABC’s new White House correspondent.

Shane Harris, National Journal. As cyber issues come to the fore, National Journal’s intelligence reporter is hot on the case with compelling narratives and scoops.

Neil Irwin, Washington Post. The Post’s go-to writer over the last year for financial stories had just returned from earning an MBA.

Anne Kornblut, Washington Post. The heir apparent to the Post’s legendary political beat, local girl Kornblut has seen her star rise fast.

Matt Labash, Weekly Standard. In the Washington magazine world, Labash—whose topics range from GOP politicos to a heart-wrenching story on the fall of Detroit—stands out as perhaps the best at the craft of writing.

Jonathan Martin, Politico. A whirling dervish publishing hot stories round the clock on his blog, Martin is one of Politico’s franchise reporters.

Mark Mazzetti, New York Times. The Times was smart to snap up Mazzetti from the ailing LA Times in 2006, and readers have been rewarded with compelling defense coverage.

Chad Pergram, Fox. A star on and off the air, Pergram has the respect of his Capitol Hill peers, not an easy bunch to please.

Alix Spiegel, NPR. Now an expert on science and social policy, Spiegel got her start on the public-radio show This American Life.

Sam Stein, Huffington Post. No less a figure than President Obama welcomed Stein into the club of White House reporters when he called on him during his first press conference.

FamousDC applauds Cathy Merrill Williams, Garrett Graff and all the journos included. We look forward to the next round-up in 2013.

Book Launch: This Is Your Country on Drugs

You’ve read the Ryan Grim Famous 5 interview .

You’ll (hopefully) buy the book .

Now you can attend the book launch:

When: Saturday, June 20th at 8:00 p.m.

Where: American Legion Post 8 D and 3rd Sts. SE
224 D St SE

Pre-orders start to ship around June 15th but the official pub date is June 29th.

Feel free to bring friends.

PS: Dear DC summer interns,

Thank you for stopping by — we love your work .

Note: If you cruise by the book party and grab a few free drinks, please make sure you buy at least one book. It is just a rule and we repeat: the drinks will be free.

Even Norah’s Smile Can’t Dull the Pain

of MSNBC’s massive graphics FAIL this morning.

Even the ridiculous backwards checkmark on the ballot is overshadowed by… sigh… the fact that, um, you… used the WRONG STATE.  That’s West Virginia.  Which — spoiler alert — is different than Virginia.  And we hate to pile on here, but you kinda had months to prepare for the result of the Democratic gubernatorial primary.  Just saying.

Despite the fact that the majority of West Virginia residents probably don’t know the difference , it’s safe to say that there are probably some Virginia residents who do.

MSNBC : The place for politics.  But not elementary school educations apparently.

Emily Miller vs Kevin Spacey

Emily Miller, the former DeLay spokesperson, who’s afraid of nobody, recently laid some smack down on Kevin Spacey - who is playing Jack Abramoff in the movie “Casino Jack.”

According to reports, Abramoff blames Miller for the reason he’s in prison.  [ignore the fact that he's a criminal].  Miller, who caught wind of the allegation, reached out to Spacy via Twitter.

Miller: “You know as well as anyone that just because it’s written doesn’t mean it’s true. No one asked me for the true story.”

Spacey, in true Hollywood fashion, played dumb.

The entire delicious back and forth can be found over at Shenanigans .

Famous Friday [Round-Up]

Chris Bowlin is setting up shop in the Senate, Playboy stepped in it with their hate f*** list (big time), Jennifer Crider is now part-time political director and part time hedge-clipper, Jordan Stoick is now a daddy, La Loma had a huge tree fall in front of the restaurant — and the margaritas kept flowing, JoMa took over the reins of Playbook from Mike Allen this week, Andrew Noyes posted one of Andrew Feinberg’s K Street pictures, Costa Rica crushed the US soccer team, Robert Schlesinger and his wife had a boy, Emmet, Vaughn Ververs and Danielle Jones reunited, the Dugger family, of TLC fame, visited the Hill, an intern for a NJ DEMOCRAT failed at discretion, Harry Reid ruined everyone’s July, Texan Matt Mackowiak was quoted in Politico, but forgot Senator Cornyn is a fellow Texan, Reagan’s son opted to appear with Palin instead of his dad’s statue, we wonder if David Axlerod is still enjoying his government sponsored door-to-door car service and the College Republicans stepped up security for Pawlenty’s speech.

Hedge Clipper and Political Director

Hotline on Call: Double Duty: Crider To Pelosi (June 3, 2009)

Speaker Nancy Pelosi has named Jennifer Crider , until recently DCCC comm. dir., her political dir.

Crider will be responsible for political communications and strategy work on behalf of members and House candidates, according to a release.

FamousDC: DCCC: A Cut About the Competition (March 30,2009)

Nancy Pelosi’s allies joke about Cantor’s ambition, saying it’s exposed him to what the speaker often describes as a “hedge clipping” — Washington’s ritual lopping-off of any political head which peeps too high above the rank and file.
…

“Snip, snip,” said one Democrat staffer.  [a cut above]

So, who’s the Democratic staffer cleverly referencing the hedge clipping service?

From a few weeks back:

“In Washington, D.C., there is a free hedge-clipping service. Stick your head up for long enough, and someone will come along and give you a trim.” — Jennifer Crider

Postcards from Abroad

A tipster spotted this in a stack of international mail:

Oh, you meant Congress

We thought you meant… um…

A good old fashioned headline war is one thing. Completely opposite takes on something as banal as a Congressional agenda are a bit different. Yet that’s what avid hill rag readers got yesterday morning, courtesy of The Hill and CQToday, both of which took a look at the rest of the June-to-August stretch and saw… diametrically opposed realities?

The Hill: Democrats clear decks for healthcare

CQ: House and Senate Lawmakers Face Ambitious Agenda

So there you have it; Congress is either doing nothing but health care, or everything and health care, from now until August (when our brains REALLY melt from the heat).

Not to be out done, The Hill (yes, same paper as mentioned above) decided to also jump into the prediction fray:

The Hill: Congress Returns to Full Plate

Yes, it looks like the contradiction was made in the same paper, on the same day.

We’ll let our intrepid, uber-pol readers declare the winner (but we think the smart money’s here ).

Last Call Hilarity

Sometimes Nora and team nail one and then you have to spend the afternoon cleaning up coffee off your keyboard.

Yes, we drink coffee through the afternoon. Try it.

From yesterday’s Last Call:

SWIZZLE STICKS

• Sen. Jeff Sessions came out of his office today and predicted that America is in for another six weeks of endless SCOTUS back-and-forth.

Headlines You Can’t Make Up

Washington Independent: Tom Tancredo Staffer Pleads Guilty to Karate-Chopping Black Woman

We love the legal brief:

"…defendant was walking down the street making offensive remarks when he encountered the complaintant…"

Really? That casual? Can’t you just visualize it?

"I’m just <making offensive remarks> in the rain…just <making offensive remarks> in the rain…"

Is the Intern in Your Office Dragging Today?

This may help explain it:

Confessions of a Beer Blogger

Every now and then you come across something that makes you thankful that 90% of Washington, D.C. constantly updates their every move on Twitter and the blogosphere.

This, our friends, is one of those examples.

DC Damsel: Confessions of a Beer Blogger: Random Acts of Selfishness

Crack Wars (Day 2)

Glenn Thrush is crushing this like P-Diddy in a tribute video.

Politico: Rangel sorry for Obama-in-Harlem quip

RELATED:

FamousDC: Crack Wars

Forget 2Pac and Biggie.

Glenn Thrush takes us to the front lines of the ongoing Harlem battle.

Politico: Bloomberg v. Rangel over Harlem crack

Obama’s Resume Keeps Getting More Impressive

I, for one, welcome our new automaker overlords.

(Above picture of Obama discussing GM on C-SPAN was spotted on ABCNews.com yesterday)

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