Knock, Knock. Who’s There? Roy Blunt’s Talented Intern
August 31, 2010
Senate hopeful Roy Blunt has a very talented intern. So talented in fact, that he’s one viral video away from headlining his own show in Branson, MO. [pay raise]
Continued proof that interning on a campaign isn’t just about licking stamps and stuffing envelopes.
We Love the Sh*t Out of Jim Traficant
August 31, 2010
Nothing makes us happier than this: [we need more of this in Congress]
Former Rep. James Traficant gets to run for his old congressional seat after all.
RGA Actors Just Miss Emmy Deadline
August 30, 2010
These two really gave it their all in what ends up being a superbly acted performance. Feel the passion, the energy, and the electricity as they rail against Ohio’s Ted Strickland. Count them as front runners for next year’s Emmy awards.
RGA TV Ad: Ohio – Ted Stirckland “Twice” from Republican Governors Association on Vimeo.
PS: Is that Ed Asner?
PPS: Is that supposed to be his daughter/wife/girlfriend?
Foghorn Leghorn Has No Plans to Keep It Classy
August 27, 2010
JD Hayworth, a loser in his recent primary election, has no plans to congratulate his opponent. [toll free]
Two days after his win in the Arizona Republican Senate primary, Sen. John McCain has yet to receive the customary post-election congratulatory phone call from his opponent J.D. Hayworth, Politico reports.
Said a McCain aide, also keeping it classy: “J.D. has less class than the Salahis.”
Famously Quoteworthy: Congressman Jokes that Pelosi Might Die
August 26, 2010
If there was a list of things you shouldn’t say while on the campaign trail, this would be #1: [Bobby Not-so-Bright]
Rep. Bobby Bright (D-AL) dodged criticism about voting for Nancy Pelosi (D) as House Speaker by suggesting she might not be available for the job next year if Democrats retain control, the Montgomery Advertiser reports.
The freshman congressman joked that Pelosi “might lose her own election, decide not to run for the speaker’s job or otherwise not be available. He suggested, jokingly he insisted to his audience, that Pelosi could fall ill and die in coming months. That remark drew laughter from the crowd.”
h/t Political Wire
Oh…Canada: Winnipeg’s Mayor Kicks Kid In the Face
August 25, 2010
In America, when a mayor kicks a kid in the face, either his opponent instantly has the perfect campaign ad, or HE instantly has the
perfect campaign ad. [sort of depends on where you're mayor].
Terrible Use of Photoshop = Best Campaign Strategy Ever
August 18, 2010
We want to work for whoever thought this was a good idea. [copy, paste, print]
Bessemer Councilwoman Dorothy Davidson, who is running for mayor of the city, claims she secured Saban’s endorsement of her campaign three weeks ago. Davidson printed it on a color campaign flier that shows her and the coach smiling side by side on a golf course.
Small problem: The photo isn’t real and the University of Alabama disagrees with the endorsement:
But University of Alabama athletics officials on Tuesday said there is no such endorsement. And the photo of Davidson and Saban together is not real, but digitally altered from another photo.
Doctored photo vs. real picture below.
h/t DA [also spotted here: KevinMaddenDC]
Confusing Headlines…Florida Edition
August 18, 2010
Kendrick Meek gets Obama to stump for him in his close race primary with life coach billionaire Jeff Greene, and some dude named Sink hops in front of him and makes it look like the opposite.
Obama headed to Florida to help Sink, Meek [the importance of commas]
Or is this some prophecy and commentary on the President’s approval ratings? Guess we’ll find out Tuesday.
VT Senate Candidate Spoofs Old Spice Commercial [Video]
August 16, 2010
OUT OF OFFICE REPLY: FamousDC will be out of the office until November 3. If you need anything, please look for us in Vermont.
h/t @SuperDelicious
Greatest Political Interview Ever? [Basil Time In Tennessee]
August 5, 2010
Our friends at Red State Update, who we’ve interviewed, recently did an interview themselves.
The lucky winner: Republican Basil Marceaux for governor of the Great State of Tennessee
Great Campaign Ad [Bryan Weaver for Ward One]
July 20, 2010
Finally, a campaign ad that doesn’t have a creepy voice over and grainy pictures of Barack Obama.
Two thumbs up to Bryan Weaver for keeping it real and clever. [DC's Ward One]
h/t AM
Things Are Getting Fun Down in Florida
July 20, 2010
Fark brings up a good point: Only Florida could possibly elect a Republican governor, who is running as an Independent and might vote with Senate Democrats. [tan]
An upcoming survey of the Florida Senate race by Public Policy Polling (D) finds that if Gov. Charlie Crist were to win — after he left the Republican Party to run as an independent — his constituents would want him to caucus with the Democrats. Furthermore, this opinion is even stronger among those who actually plan to vote for him.
For those playing at home, AntiCrist.com is no longer available, but anticrist.mobi is.
The $2,400 Meeting
July 9, 2010
Whoopsies…
Sen. Michael Bennet’s (D-CO) camp “dismissed a summer intern” for allegedly telling a person seeking to discuss pending legislation with Bennet “that she could have a one-on-one meeting for a $2,400 donation” ["Washington Wire"].
On the other hand, a meeting with the intern would only include two Coronas, three So-Co Limes and one Marlboro Light.
Blue Light Special: Obama Tickets on Sale Now; Prices Slashed
July 8, 2010
This is what happens when Lebron James decides to do a prime time teevee special. [King's Court]
It looks like some of the tickets for the Robin Carnahan-Barack Obama fundraiser are on sale.
The fundraiser is slated for tonight.
“Premium orchestra” seats were $250; they’re now available for $99. “Silver” seats have been slashed from $35 to $17.
We’re terrible at math, but this new price reduction seems unfair for the people who originally shelled out $250.
Note: The fundraiser, scheduled for Bartle Hall, has been moved to the Marriott. For those of you playing at home, we’re told the Marriott venue is much smaller.
h/t Lazy Hazy
Things Continue to Heat Up in Arizona
July 6, 2010
Does the super creepy voiceover cost extra? [new McCain ad]
Better Than a Coin Flip
July 6, 2010
Harry Reid’s chances of getting re-elected according to VP Biden: “Yes. I give him a 55 percent chance or better.”
h/t Mike Allen’s Playbook
Dear DNC: Your Horse is Here…You Know, the High One
June 29, 2010
Anyway, why not head on over to the Accountability Project. We hear Boehner and Cantor just left Gandell’s with ping pong balls and solo cups.
Have you had your serving of crazy this morning?
June 28, 2010
Firearms Training for Kids
June 22, 2010
Some folks believe this plan might backfire:
The Republican endorsed candidate for Connecticut attorney general is advocating firearms training for children in schools, in scout groups and in summer camps.
She [Martha Dean] was not misquoted: [comparing sex to guns]
“As your Attorney General, I will advocate firearms training for boys and girls in schools, in scouts, at camp and elsewhere,” she said at a Second Amendment rally in April. “We teach sex education in school, yet we omit the most basic skill needed to exercise fundamental constitutional rights.”
Fashion Police: Ad Shows Unemployed With Designer Handbag
June 16, 2010
Now, we aren’t ad geniuses or anything, but this part of the new American Crossroads ad caught our eye.
Apparently, there are a lot of unemployed people in Nevada. And they seem to all be white…and carrying designer handbags.
Call us crazy, but that bag that lady is holding looks a lot like a Louis Vuitton Damier bag…which we found online for a steal [I mean, who would want to pay the full $1,200 for a bag…we’re in a recession]!
Now, maybe the folks at American Crossroads just overlooked this fact, or maybe they just sort of bought into Louis Vuitton’s messaging about life being a journey…even if that journey is in an unemployment line.
Charlie Crist Checks Out “Oily” Beach
June 16, 2010
Two points for the staffer who set up this priceless photo op.
Florida governor Charlie Crist held a meeting on a Miami beach on Monday in an attempt to show the media that his shoreline is oil-free and looking beautiful.
What the Hell is Going on Down In South Carolina?
June 11, 2010
Apparently you don’t need money, a website or name recognition to win a Senate primary in South Carolina. [sh*t is easy]
Meet Alvin Greene, the Democratic nominee for Senate in South Carolina. Alvin won on Tuesday, but has no idea how. Nor does anyone else…
Greene, an unemployed 32-year-old who lives with his parents in Manning, was hardly visible on the campaign trail, even ignoring a stump rally in his hometown. Still, he trounced [Vic] Rawl, a former judge and state lawmaker who serves on Charleston County Council.
So just how did Greene win? The basics: No money. No website. No campaigning.
Greene spent no money campaigning and did not have a website, but improbably captured 59 percent of the vote and won all but four counties. Rawl campaigned across the state, raised about $250,000, sent out about 260,000 e-mails and was left scratching his head Tuesday night as results came in.
Is this the strangest thing you’re read in a while? Yeah, same here.
Need more Alvin? Video below…
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Always Assume the Mic is On [Especially in Carlyfornia]
June 10, 2010
Carly Fiorina, unaware that she’s on an open mic, makes fun of Barbara Boxer’s hair and suggests that going on Hannity would be a bad decision. [how does this continue to happen?]
I think it’s a very bad choice actually. You know how he is.
Perhaps she’s afraid Hannity will ask her to fix his HP computer.
In other news: CNN accidentally left the mic on, again.
There Were Elections Last Night
June 9, 2010
We missed them because it was Stras-mas here in DC.
Here’s a recap:
Everyone who claimed to be a “political expert” said Blanche Lincoln would lose. They were all wrong. [Bill Clinton still has it]
We learned that Demon Sheep make great Senate campaign volunteers. [who knew?]
Nikki Haley had a dominating performance [according to some]
Early 2012 national polls have Strasburg (62%) leading Obama (38%) [he's that good]
Only in the Midwest: Hair Time for Air Time
June 7, 2010
Note to future campaigns: If you’re cash-on-hand numbers are low, try to sell the candidate’s hairpiece. If your candidate doesn’t wear a hairpiece, try other things like fundraisers, telemarketing, direct mail, etc…
The campaign of Missouri insurgent Republican U.S. Senate candidate Chuck Purgason is suggesting that his former hairpiece may be available for purchase.
You remember Chuck Purgason, right?
Buzzwords
Missouri
Senate
bald
Dumb and Dumber
toupee
Lloyd
Ditch the Do
At least he’s keeping it clever.
“In the interest of transparency, I’ve removed my hair to assure the voters that nothing will be swept under the rug on my watch,” he said in the release.
We love Chuck, you should too.
h/t Lazy Hazy.
Only In the Midwest: Ditch the Do
June 2, 2010
Does the name Chuck Purgason ring a bell? He’s a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Missouri. Matter of fact, we recently did a post about Chuck and how he looked strikingly similar to that of Lloyd from “Dumb and Dumber”.
Well, we’re proud to announce that Chuck has a new look. [smart move]
Purgason has stopped wearing a hairpiece — publicly revealing his receding hairline for the first time in nearly two decades.
Purgason, who celebrated his 50th birthday last month, said he and his wife decided it was time for him to look “more mature and middle-aged.” He said the change was not intended as a makeover for his Senate campaign.
This also happens to be the biggest news to come out of Purgason’s campaign since he switched from ballpoint pens to pencils with erasers.
Note: Not that we’re going to take credit for this, but in case you were wondering, our new tag-line is, “FamousDC – influencing hairstyles in Southeast Missouri since 2010.”
h/t Lazy Hazy
The Dems Answer To Dale Peterson … Meet Richard Aguirre
May 27, 2010
Sure, Dale Peterson had a horse and a gun and complained about Facebook and yard signs. But that was Alabama.
Welcome to California, where Democrat Richard Aguirre has a surf board, Hawaiian shirt, and is complaining about Jerry Brown’s thugs messing with his Wikipedia page.
Also, enjoy the Led Zeppelin soundtrack.
Political Recycling
May 25, 2010
J.D. Hayworth Reinvents History
May 24, 2010
Some people lie about their involvement in history, others just make up their own version. [Encyclopedia Hayworth]
Campaign Journalism
May 24, 2010
Jerry Brown is running for governor of CA again, which would lead us to believe that records on his previous administration might give voters some insight into how he governs.
One problem, the over 2,000 boxes of records are “available to the public only with Brown’s written permission“. Clever move, Jerry.
Never fear, though, reporter Joe Matthews is on the case! Or maybe not. Matthews waited a good six months before Brown finally granted him access to the archives.
SIDENOTE: Looks like Brown hasn’t gotten back to Meg Whitman’s request yet…surely an oversight.
So, what has Matthews been looking at in the archives? According to our score sheet, he seems more focused on items that aren’t from Jerry Brown. Here’s our humble call as journalism’s umpire.
Strike 1: Letters from random citizens sent to Brown, with no Brown response
Strike 2: A telegram sent to Jerry Brown, with no Brown response
Strike 3: A Congressional floor speech by some guy not named Jerry Brown
We’ll go ahead and give him one more at bat, but so far, we don’t really smell a Pulitzer coming Matthews way. Stranger things have happened, though.
How To Blow a 50 Point Lead
May 20, 2010
If you once thought it impossible to blow a 50 point lead in a gubernatorial race even though you had access to $68 million, [think again.]
Despite spending $68 million of her fortune on a half-year torrent of TV ads, billionaire former eBay CEO Meg Whitman’s once-robust lead over Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner in the Republican race for governor has dwindled from 50 points to just nine points, according to a new statewide poll.
It’s no wonder CA is broke.
Dr. Rand Paul Is Looking to Pick a Fight
May 20, 2010
Fresh off his win in Kentucky’s Republican Senate primary, Dr. Rand Paul is already tossing haymakers. [bring it on]
What I tell to the national Democrats is bring it on and please, please, please bring President Obama to Kentucky. We would want him to come and campaign for my opponent [Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway]. In fact, we’ll pay for his plane ticket if President Obama will come to Kentucky.”
We’re pretty sure Obama has his own plane, but it’s a very kind offer.
Haven’t We Already Read This Headline? [Rev. Wright]
May 18, 2010
From the “Department of Let It Go”:
Gin and Toxic?
The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama’s controversial former pastor, said in a letter obtained by The Associated Press that he is “toxic” to the Obama administration and that the president “threw me under the bus.”
Yet he continues to beat the dead horse.
“No one in the Obama administration will respond to me, listen to me, talk to me or read anything that I write to them. I am ‘toxic’ in terms of the Obama administration,” Wright wrote the president of Africa 6000 International earlier this year.
Poor fella.
Shocker: Elected Member of Congress Cheats on Spouse, Forced to Resign
May 18, 2010
We’ve spent hours writing posts about this type of behavior and to be quite frank, it’s growing old. [good riddance]
Indiana Rep. Mark Souder (R) will resign his congressional seat after an affair with a staffer came to light, he said in a statement this morning.
“It is with great regret I announce that I am resigning from the U.S. House of Representatives as well as resigning as the Republican nominee for Congress in this fall’s election,” said Souder.
We also find it humorous that breaking news alerts now have to distinguish whether it was with a “male” or “female” staffer.
UPDATE: We figured we’d add more commentary
Your political career and your reputation have been destroyed. You’re probably going to have to go through an expensive divorce. And every Republican wants to slap you because you: a) ruined what was going to be a perfect day for them; b) did it in a way that plays right into the narrative that Democrats love nothing more to exploit.
How can things possibly get any worse?
1) Every story is running the same photo of you playing with your Transformers at a Congressional hearing.
2) You sent your retirement announcement in ALL CAPS.
We also like that he noted that it was a “part time” staffer. Because full time would be unforgivable.
And what exactly was this staffer doing with the other half of her time? This
Good luck out there in the real world, Marky. We wish you all the best
Who Wants a Piece of Bill Clinton?
May 13, 2010
Something tells us this was definitely Bill’s idea:
Bill Clinton offers himself as lottery prize to pay off Hillary’s debts
In an e-mail sent to millions of people who supported Hillary Clinton’s White House campaign, the former President asks: “How would you like the chance to come up to New York and spend the day with me?” For those who would like the One-Day-With-Bill prize, an online donation of as little as $5 (£3) will buy them the chance.
We’re in for $10.
Vito Fossella Considers Congressional Bid, Unclear As To Which Family Will Appear in Ads
May 11, 2010
Rule #3 if you’re a former lawmaker who cheated on a spouse: Wait two years, then try again.
Former Rep. Vito Fossella (R-N.Y.), who opted not to seek re-election in 2008 after a DWI arrest exposed the married father of three as having a second family in Virginia, is seriously considering entering the race for his old seat, POLITICO has learned.
And by no means is Fosella running again because no one else will hire him.
Flip Floppers Stick Together
May 11, 2010
In a strange turn of events: [two of a kind]
Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry on Monday endorsed Republican-turned-Democrat Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania’s contested Senate primary as the incumbent tries to fend off criticism that he used “Swiftboat”-style attacks.
In related news:
And just like that, Conan loses 48% of his DC fans …
May 10, 2010
But who’s funnier?
Conan O’Brien to host fundraiser for former ‘SNL’ co-worker Sen. Al Franken
The former “SNL” writer/”Tonight Show” host will join Franken in Minneapolis later this month for a $500-a-person fundraiser (or $4,800 to have a picture taken), according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Conan loves diapers.
Famously Quoteworthy: Harry Reid Has One Thing on His Brain
May 6, 2010
Sex.
Weeks ago Harry Reid said the following: [FDC]
“Let me answer it this way: I’m not opposed to sex,” he said to a few moments of silence before the crowd began laughing.
Yesterday, Harry said this: [CNN]
“Republicans are having difficulty determining how they are going to continue making love to Wall Street.”
Perhaps he’s working too hard.
Charlie Crist For Sale on Ebay
May 4, 2010
Lots of politicians are for sale, but this is the first we’ve seen for sale on Ebay. [sell now price]
The Republican Party of Florida has followed through on its promise to auction off an oil painting of Gov. Charlie Crist, who bolted from the party last week to run for Senate as an independent.
The state party took to eBay Monday afternoon to sell off the framed portrait under the banner “Help the Republican Party of FL Get Our Money Back!”
Just how pissed is the Republican Party of Florida?
The eBay product listing, which describes the subject as “Untrustworthy, Self-Serving Politician,” drips heavily with sarcasm and outright disdain for the first-term governor.
“Canvas is naturally sensitive to changes of temperature and humidity, just as the Charlie Crist’s political convictions are subject to fluctuations in poll numbers,” reads one mock disclaimer on the auction page.
Apparently if you buy the Crist, they’ll toss in a Specter.
