mark pfeifle

Helen Thomas’s Next Victim: Probably Tony Snow

tony%20snow%20headshot.jpg These things can change quickly, but the latest word on the street is that Tony Snow of Fox News is the most likely replacement for Scott McClellan as White House press secretary. Rumor has it that Snow has essentially been offered the job and is negotiating the fine points with the White House.

We’re a little disappointed that one previously mentioned candidate, Mark Pfeifle, is no longer in the running. He would have been a fun pick. A reader reminds us:

I know the infamous Mark Pfeifle — who was recently Wonk’d at The Cult concert at the 9:30 (and looking very out of place I might add). I dont know if Pfeifle is a serious contender but if he ascends to the White House, be assured that there is PLENTY to dish on him. For laughs, ask him about the time he and Wayne Newton spent together in a hotel in New Mexico… I can also give you his Capitol Hill address if you want to google map/stalk him.

Meanwhile, as the Reliable Source gals report, the gambling odds at BetUS.com favor a long-shot candidate:

The Scott McClellan replacement odds are posted, for those too wonky for those highbrow “American Idol” elimination wagers. Since Wednesday afternoon, BetUS.com has taken 186 bets with an average of $70 per bet (maximum is $100):
Deputy Press Secretary Dana Perino is tied with presidential counselor Dan Bartlett (6-5), followed by Fox News host Tony Snow (4-1), perpetual presidential adviser David Gergen (8-1) and former Pentagon spokeswoman Torie Clark [sic] and former Iraq occupation spokesman Dan Senor (both 12-1). Perino has the lead with almost 60 percent of all bets placed, Bartlett is the runner-up with almost 25 percent, and four delusional guys are hoping to make more than $20,000 with former Clinton buddy George Stephanopoulos (80-1).

Dana Perino hasn’t been mentioned in the latest reporting by major news organizations concerning McClellan’s replacement, so her frontrunner status is surprising. Perhaps our wild speculation played a role in her domination of the odds. But did the gamblers see our retraction?

Or maybe their bets reflect wishful thinking: they just want more TV time with Perino, who’s a definite hottie. And we can’t really blame them, since she’s the hottest of the bunch — although we like that Torie Clarke, too.

Reliable Source [WP]
BetUS.com

Wednesday Morning Massacrette: More Rumors About Scotty

We’d like to write about something else; really, we would. But the departure of Scott McClellan and the changing responsibilities of Karl Rove are all that people are talking about today.

Let’s see, what have we heard… Word on the street is that this wasn’t Scott’s decision. This makes sense, given that McClellan’s explanation of his departure at this morning’s press conference was vague and lame. His departure may be best explained by the White House’s desire to remove the Rummy resignation calls from the front pages of the nation’s newspapers.

We also hear that Josh Bolten told McClellan only yesterday that he would be leaving. Ouch. (Of course, reports that Bolten was shopping Scotty’s job around earlier this week were not a good sign; McClellan may have seen the writing on the wall.)

As for McClellan’s likely successor, Hotline is all over the story. The latest news: hottie-cum-firecracker Torie Clark, who regularly goes toe-to-toe with Paul Begala on CNN, does not want the job. Neither does Dan Bartlett. We can’t really blame them.

Here are three new names to add to the mix: Mark Corallo, Trent Duffy, and Mark Pfeifle. We reported earlier that Duffy previously expressed no interest in the job; but Bolten, to whom he is close, may be able to change his mind.

And that’s the latest unsubstantiated speculation and wild rumor about your next White House press secretary.

Wonk’d: March Mediocrity?

This week’s collection of celebrity sightings is a little disappointing; we’ve seen better around here. Are you all too busy enjoying college basketball, warm weather, and cherry blossoms, leaving you without time to keep your editors informed of the comings and goings of famous people? Please don’t forget to email us with your sightings, with “Wonk’d” or “Sighting” in the subject line (as well as the name of the spotted celeb).

After the jump: Patti LaBelle, in a purple fur; John King and Gheorghe Muresan, participating in the March Madness; and a bunch of senators on planes.

I saw the Prince of Darkness on Tuesday evening [3/21], sitting in a window seat of Andale Restaurant (7th & D Streets, NW). He was sitting with a woman about the same age as he (his wife?). They were saying absolutely nothing to each other…just eating quietly.

as i was coming out of LA Sports Club, Singer/Actress Patti LaBelle is in town. She looked swank in her purple fur. At least five cameras took her photo.

Newsmen Jim Lehrer, Clarence Page and Gordon Peterson all sat in the audience at a talk Friday (3/24) evening by husband-wife authors Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation on the Hill (2nd and East Capitol). Lehrer’s wife, novelist Kate, gave the intro at the event.

Former Interior Deparment press secretary / former FEMA spokesperson / former GOP spokesperson for Philadelphia 04 / former GOP Senate candidate Doug Forrester communications director Mark Pfeifle was spotted at The Cult show at the 9:30 Club on Friday, 3/24. He was really rockin out. (PS all those formers, is that like the ex-ex-gay thing?)

I’ve lived in the DC area for almost two-years, but felt that my experience was somehow incomplete since I had yet to make a George Stephanopoulos sighting. That all changed on Saturday (3/25) when I saw he and his wife (with adorable kid in tow) at 2 Amys (an early dinner, so as to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for Sunday, no doubt). After all I’d heard (from you and your dear readers) about his size, I was shocked, shocked at how tall the man was.

I don’t know if he even counts as “famous for DC,” but CNN’s John King was sitting a few rows in front of me (in Section 121) at the MCI/Verizon Center on Sunday (3/26) for the GMU/UConn game. He was with another guy and a kid who had a Georgetown sweatshirt on. This made me happy - Georgetown’s my team too. Anyway, he’s a very serious looking guy - he was one of only a handful of people in the MCI/Verizon Center who wasn’t giddy with excitement over GMU’s improbable victory. I bet he’s a UConn fan. (Also, I saw Gheorghe Muresan at the game on Friday night (3/24). It was a lot more exciting than seeing John King.)

John Cornyn was on my flight from Dallas to Reagan last night (3/26). I think he was in first class but I’m not sure since I was stuck in the back of coach. Unfortunately nothing too exciting to report.

John Kerry, traveling alone, on the 6:30 p.m. Delta Shuttle from Reagan to LaGuardia, Tuesday, March 28. He took a window seat near the middle of the plane, which was about three-fourths full. I didn’t see anyone talk to him, nor him to anyone. They served a lame turkey wrap with a couple bites of cantaloupe and
melon, plus a Fun Size Almond Joy. Nothing on his prohibited list, but not preferred either.

Wednesday, March 29th — 6 pm-ish: Charles Krauthammer on the corner of 19th and Jefferson NW — I assume he was coming out of The Palm — he left me absolutely no room on the sidewalk to get by him, but since he’s in a wheelchair I guess I should give him the benefit of the doubt rather than just assuming he’s just another cantankerous, rude conservative.

Wednesday, 3/29: Dick Gephardt and Bob Kerrey on the 6:30 pm Delta Shuttle, LaGuardia to Reagan. Gephardt was slumped in a chair against the wall in the terminal, reading some files, when, as the line inched forward during boarding, Kerrey walked by and spotted him. Gephardt bounded up, and the two failed Democratic presidential candidates chatted amiably for a minute before Dick trudged to the end of the line. They didn’t sit anywhere near each other on the plane.

So I am on the metro on the way home from the bar on monday night (because of course i was at a bar on a monday night) and who do I see sitting across from me on the train other than the illustrious Jeff Gannon. I noticed him at first because he was cruising me like crazy…. that creepy old guy kinda cruising. I looked back long enough to make sure it was him (and it was) and then moved to the other end of the car. He continued staring at me until he got off at Eastern Market. I was shocked to see him… I never thought he would come down and ride the metro with all of us “little people.”

John Kerry at the Hawk & Dove last night [3/30] - made a 15 minute appearance upstairs (some kinda staffer party?)

Saw Leeann Tweeden of Fox Sports Network’s “Best Damn Sports Show Period” and Playboy fame; James Avery, who played Will Smith’s rich uncle on “Fresh Prince”; and Brian Littrell, the born-again The Backstreet Boys in the Hart Senate Office Building on 3/30 - apparently they all do performances for the USO or something.

mark pfeifle

Helen Thomas’s Next Victim: Probably Tony Snow

READ MORE: White House, dan bartlett, dan senor, dana perino, david gergen, mark pfeifle, press, scott mcclellan, tony snow, victoria clarke

Wednesday Morning Massacrette: More Rumors About Scotty

READ MORE: White House, dan bartlett, gossip, mark corallo, mark pfeifle, resignations, scott mcclellan, top, trent duffy, unverified rumors, victoria clarke

Wonk’d: March Mediocrity?