Gossip Roundup: Eh, Did You Really Miss It Edition
• Reliable Source: Robert McNamara: movie star. Who he's dating, what he's wearing to the Oscars, his stand on the war in Iraq. Sometimes the Washington Monument is just the Washington Monument. Sometimes it isn't: Contract guards fired for "offering some form of services to the construction workers."Teaching men how to make their women happy using football metaphors. (What's the two-point conversion stand for?) Speaking of point spreads: That Bennet radio showwe mentioned earlier. The bountyGarry Trudeauhas placed on the head of Bush's fellow National Guardsmen. [ WP ]
• Inside the Beltway: President'sinsistence on reporters asking questions in order makes him"quite the organizer."Something about a "breakaway region of Georgia." (What's this doing in a gossip column?)Bill Bennettis "going behind the microphone to broadcast virtue across the land." Illegal aliens steal identities as well as jobs. (Again: It's a g-o-s-s-i-p c-o-l-u-m-n. Like about people canoodling and stuff.) [ WT ]
• Under the Dome: Vote-swapping: a great idea whose time has passed. GOP convention plans.David Hebert, Majority WhipRoy Blunt’s (R-Mo.)chief of staff, lost his composure. TheFranco-American Friendship Caucusare trying to patch up things.Bob Doleencourages people to get it up -- for Medicare!McCarthyhearings mined for novel material. [ The Hill ]
• Heard on the Hill: Hillary Clintongoes to spa.Amy Harkin, daughter ofSen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), saw a "life coach" on a reality TV show.John Dingellattempts to reconcile "manufacturing jobs" with "McDonald's." Illegal downloading humor.Tom Daschleswore inMax Clelandat Ex-Im Bank using two Bibles.Chuck Schumermakes a self-deprecating joke about his press-whoring.Tim Johnsonhas prostate cancer. [ Roll Call ]
• Liz Smith: “No one has accused me yet of being a Muslim terrorist, but I'm sure that's coming. We do, however, have a known terrorist in the United States. I believe his name isRalph Nader.” [ NYP ]
• Rush & Malloy: Russell Simmons: "Maybe Phat Farm should make a T-shirt that reads, 'Shopping atUrban Outfitters Is for Old People.'" Jason Alexander's Middle East peace mission. [ NYDN ]
• Lloyd Grove's Lowdown: Tina Brown'sTV show is not dead yet. [ NYDN ]