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.

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

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.

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 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.

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

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).

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."

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.

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.

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.

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)

Flash Mob Protest Set For Longworth

As if dining at Longworth cafeteria wasn’t exciting enough, get ready for a mind-blowing exhibition today:

An unknown number of mostly young people are planning to stage a “flash mob protest” (an orchestrated event in which people arrange to meet in a public place to simultaneously perform an unusual action ) in the cafeteria at lunchtime today. At 12:15 p.m., participants will freeze in their tracks for 120 seconds , then drop ace playing cards — some labeled with “the world needs better” — and quietly walk out, according to an advertisement posted Monday on Craigslist and social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. [HOH]

Let us help translate:

"Unknown number" = no more than five
"orchestrated event" = a few bored students joined a Facebook group
"simultaneously perform" = strangely attempt to do the same thing
"unusual action" = pretending they have a job.
"120 seconds" = two minutes [for the ones unable to divide by 60]

We wish the Flashmob the best of luck - and suggest the buffalo chicken wrap … delicious.

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.

Lobbyists Use Homeless As Line Sitters [Stay Classy, DC]

The wait to get a seat at an important congressional hearing can last days, but big time lobbyists have found a loophole: they’re paying to have the homeless hold their places. Jason Bellini reports in this video column for The Daily Beast.

Outrage!

As if we needed another reason to hate lobbyists.

Democrats Win: Score Runs Faster Than They Spend Your Tax Dollars

The losing streak is over.

For the first time in eight years, Democratic lawmakers were able to defeat Republicans in the annual Roll Call Congressional Baseball game.  [pounding]

Final score: 15-10

Highlights included, but were not limited to:

Thad McCotter sprinting to first - only to get taken out for a pinch runner and CPR.

Heath Shuler proving he’s terrible at sports.

Bart Stupak channeling his inner Jeter and catching a foul pop as he tumbled over the dugout railing in the fourth inning.

Jeff Flake hitting a triple, but only after the Democrats tried to insert an earmark into the pitch. [making it inevitable that he was bound to hammer it.]

Adam Putnam proving he was like a motion to recommit - you can put him up … But it’s unlikely to go anywhere.

For more color commentary, visit us on Twitter to see how it went down last night.

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

Which is Tougher?

Running an NFL franchise or managing an amusement park?

DCist: File Under Duh: Six Flags is Bankrupt

It’s reported that Snyder and his Redskins buddies who went in on the company lost over $130 million on their initial investment.

Do We Choose Our Own News?

New York Post’s Kyle Smith: Life Inside the Media Bubbles

"In this town," Fox News’ Bill Sammon said yesterday of DC, "everything is political."

Town? Try nation.

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.

Congressman Buyer: “Go Ahead … Smoke Your Lettuce”

This will make Ryan Grim’s day…  [wait for the 2:09 mark]

From C-SPAN’s coverage of the U.S. House floor this morning, during floor debate on regulating tobacco products.

Rep. Steve Buyer (R-IN): "Too often we should be careful about being cute here on the House floor. So cute means the reference with regard to lettuce. So I’ll follow your logic. Do you realize if you were to take that lettuce, dry it, and roll it, and smoke it. And you go ahead and you smoke your lettuce. Do you realize that you are going to end up with similar problems than if you were smoking tobaccco. It’s not the nicotine that kills. It’s the smoke that kills. So It’s the inhalation of the smoke. That’s what causes and is responsible for the pandemic of cancers, of heart disease, respiratory disease, and other disease. It’s the smoke."

If you plan on lunching at the Longworth Cafeteria today, please note you might experience longer lines at the salad bar.

h/t the CSPAN crew - who’s always there once the smoke clears.

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