Mary Ann Akers: Trent Lott: Man of the People, Fledgling Lobbyist “I took the Metro for the first time,” Lott told the Sleuth Thursday afternoon in the makeup room of MSNBC, where he and his new lobbying partner, former Sen. John Breaux (D-La.), were fixin (as Lott says) to do …

Stuff Hill People Like is back at it – this time highlighting the Hill’s obsession with the blackberry machine. Unfortunately, this telling sign of a Hill Pro doesn’t hold the validity that it once did, as younger, less experienced Hill People are now funding their own Blackberry use (with Their …

Remember Capitol Hill staffers’ favorite irritant, Jock Itch?  Well, he’s back in the news, and cranky as ever. “Congressional staffers are among the most powerful people in Washington, and in the past they have received very little scrutiny. It’s about time there was a little more scrutiny given to what they’re …

For anyone doubting that opportunity still exists in America, there is the story of Jaime Harrison. [Another Politico pro] Harrison is a top aide to House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, a job that ranks among the most influential in Congress. He has an office at the dead center of the …

The Politico recently featured McCain press flack Melissa Shuffield on the pages of their site. [press secretary goes extra mile for McCain] NOTE:  Interesting that the Politico chose to use this quote on the right sidebar adjacent to the piece.  “The thing that makes Melissa so appealing to lawmakers is that she has zero interest in self-promotion, …

Howard Kurtz: At Sparkly Newseum, The Glory Of the Story Goes Above the Fold The new incarnation of the Newseum is dazzling, innovative and absorbing, a first-class addition to the capital’s cultural institutions. … It is also, in some respects, an overpriced monument to journalistic self-glorification. Not that there’s anything …

Tough weekend for Mark Penn – lost a client for Burson and off the Clinton campaign Chris Cillizza: Penn Is Out As Chief Strategist Matthew Yglesias: Mark Penn Gone Marc Ambinder: Penn Is Run Out Beth Fouhy: Penn Out As Clinton Senior Strategist K-Lo: Penn, Out (with statement from Maggie …

Wow – Adam Caskey blew the weather forecast this weekend. Saturday was supposed to be rainy, but was spectacular! Enjoy the weather, but watch out for kamikaze flies flying into your margaritas!

Senator Clinton’s top aide, Mark Penn, puts on his lobbying hat to meet with Colombian officials and help usher through a trade deal with United States. WHOOPS! Too bad Senator Clinton opposes the deal [You Got Penn-ed] An angry Colombia said on Saturday it ended a contract with a lobbying …

Happy Birthday to…. Politico’s Jonathan Martin Hot Air’s Captain Ed

Give a political operative a blog and rarely do they articulate a message digestible to political newcomers who reside outside the beltway – until now. Stuart Roy, [important guy at important company] is the latest political wonk to try his hand at blogging – and if I do say so myself – …

Suite Talk Joann Donnellan leaves WH to start JD Media Vance Taylor (Homeland Security) to Olive, Edwards & Cooper Comcast promotes Kerry Knott and Joseph Waz, Jr. Annette Puente joins Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz

Patrick O’Connor: Influential GOP lobbyist joins Altria Bruce Gates, an influential Republican lobbyist with close ties to House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), is leaving Washington Council Ernst & Young, the firm he helped found in 1996, to work in the Washington office of the newly reconstituted Altria, according …

It’s no doubt the McCain camp has a firm grasp on the importance of bloggers and the role blogging will have this cycle – proof is in the fact that the left is paying close attention.  But also worth noting is the fact that the MSM has taken notice too. Below …