Wydtibww?
It's the new WWJD! --Eve Fairbanks
Press Release Of The Week
From Ken Blackwell, the former Ohio Secretary of State who's competing in the bitter, many-way race to become head of the Republican National Committee: BLACKWELL GAINS SUPPORT FROM GUAM Ken's support in the territories continues to grow and we are very confident that Ken is going to do very well among these crucial voters. He traveled to two territories in the past few weeks and has gained significant support from RNC Members.Today we are very happy to announce the support of the Governor of Guam and announce that he is working very hard to secure Guam's three votes for Ken Blackwell as well
The Macker Goes On Air
Terry McAuliffe, fundraiser and Clinton pal extraordinaire, released his first TV ad in his bid to become governor of Virginia: I wrote about Terry's manic run for this week's magazine (his selling point: aptitude with chicken feces!), but one thing I didn't get into is the African-American-directed nature of his strategy. Perhaps fearful that Alexandria resident Brian Moran may siphon off support in vote-rich Northern Virginia, McAuliffe ran his kickoff radio ad for the hotly contested June Democratic primary on black stations in southern Virginia.
Kirsten Gillibrand's Alan Keyes
Another Kirsten Gillibrand factoid: Like Barack Obama, Gillibrand is an immensely talented politician who got her break thanks to the lucky accident of having a hot mess for an opponent. When Gillibrand jumped into her New York House race in late 2005, she was a real long shot to upset incumbent John Sweeney, thanks to the district's double-digit Republican registration edge. Other Republicans breezily called the district a "safe seat." But then Sweeney underwent, if not an A-tier political meltdown (Larry Craig, Vito Fossella), definitely a serious one.
Ten Things You Didn't Know About Kirsten Gillibrand
New York guv David Paterson is set to name Kirsten Gillibrand, a second-term congresswoman from upstate New York, to replace Hillary in the Senate. At first blush, Gillibrand seems merely a perfect Caroline Kennedy replacement: A woman with cash, but without all that baggage! (Roll Call called Gillibrand in 2007 "the most effective fundraiser of the House freshman class. Score!) But the spunky Gillibrand has forged a strong political persona in just one term in the House. Here's ten things you probably didn't know about Chuck Schumer's next junior Senator: 1.
Mccain's Little, Jolly Band Of Mavericks
Take note of one certain passage in this morning's Post story on the return of Maverick McCain: The surest sign of McCain's return to his "maverick" ways came when he caught wind of an effort by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) to delay Clinton's confirmation vote by a day, pushing it from Tuesday to Wednesday because he was seeking greater disclosure about foreign donors to former president Bill Clinton's charitable foundation.
Headline Of The Day, France Edition
"Former French President Chirac Hospitalized After Mauling by his Clinically Depressed Poodle" --Eve Fairbanks
Why'd Obama Talk About George Washington?
I was totally fascinated that Obama chose George Washington as the touchstone American-history figure in his inaugural. This was not an obvious choice. Lincoln, FDR, or even MLK would have been. But ol' sterile, ancient, powder-wigged, pink-cheeked George -- who's ever thought of him past fifth-grade history class, or perhaps fleetingly, when you look at a quarter?
John, You're Too Hard On Obama's Speech
I want to dissent a bit from John's intelligent critique of Barack Obama's first inaugural. John, you write: Is Obama facing partisan warfare? Is Washington deeply divided? It may become so, but the evidence of the last month does not suggest that this is a critical problem. Huh? The evidence of the last couple of years have suggested this is a terrible problem. I got at this in a recent piece on the House conservatives; they are predisposed to view Obama and Democrats in general -- even the Blue Dogs -- with deep suspicion and animosity. And the feeling goes both ways.
The Secret Behind Lowery's Awesome Benediction
What made Joseph Lowery's benediction so awesome? There was that funny, hip ending, obviously. ("When yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man ...") But Lowery's benediction had what Rick Warren's earnest invocation, Barack Obama's powerful address, and Elizabeth Alexander's limping poem all to some degree lacked: rhythm.
