Gossip Roundup: Kicking Under the Table Edition
•The Reliable Source: CNN execEason Jordanis reportedly romantically involved withWSJreporterDanny Pearl'swidow,Mariane.They have been supportive of each other publicly. No comment from his wife. CNN flak: "I'm neither confirming it nor denying it." [ WP ]
•Under the Dome: Kerry,if elected, pledges to be the first president sinceJFKto visit Puerto Rico. Supporters look forward to the sight of Air Force One on the island. . . RetiringSen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.)received a plaque for his efforts in getting the Capitol Police new Harley-Davidsons. . .Newt Gingrichhas written more than 135 book reviews on Amazon.com, making him one of the top 500 reviewers; his "About Me" section is written in the third-person. . . Possible VPRichardsonmay sign a medical marijuana bill. . . 84 percent of 1,300 respondents in an online poll wantBob Edwardsback as host of "Morning Edition." [ The Hill ]
•Heard on the Hill: Schumerhas arranged for a Smithsonian telescope to be available on the Dirksen roof tonight allowing Senators a clear view of the rare cosmic alignment of five planets. "I look up at the sky and I cant tell these five planets from a star or from some dust on my glasses. The heavens are everybodys. Maybe under the sign of Saturn, we will make peace on the judiciary.". . . Democrats saw hypocrisy whenFristattackedClarkeon the Senate floor for taking profits from his book -- butFristwrote a book about the anthrax crisis: "Next timeKarl Rovesends him a speech to read on the Senate floor, he may want to proof-read it first." Still,Frist'sprofits did go to charity;ImusoffersClarke$100,000/year plus health insurance to be his "chief security correspondent" if he donates profits from his book to 9/11 families.Imus: "I'll put it in writing.". . . House members get a sneak peak at newLewis and Clarknickels. . . School prank project for zug.com namesSnowefunniest Senator andHillarythe unfunniest.Corzinejokes: "What did the number 0 say to the number 8? Nice Belt!"Hageljokes: "Latin isn't dead. It's just 'Roman' around." [ Roll Call ]
•Lloyd Grove's Lowdown: Kerryflak did not denyBill Clintoncould be Secretary of State. [ NYDN ]
•Fox411: Tim RobbinsandYoko Onospotted at the Air America launch. [ Fox News ]
•Rush & Molloy: Hillary and Bill, Cuomo, Trumpamong participants atKenneth Cole's50th. . .Jon Stewart and wifeexpecting a baby. . .Redfordis now a former supporter ofNader.[ NYDN ]
•Cindy Adams: Donna BrazileonGore: "I enjoyed p--- ing him off. But we now talk several times a month. I've stopped cussing him out." OnLieberman: "Our Jewish friends were against his running because, they said, 'We don't want to draw attention to ourselves.'" OnSharpton: "He has the best one-liners. This candidacy thing advanced his media career. That's all he wants. His next gig's to be on TV." On herself: "Girl, I've taken more s--- than most people alive." OnPowell: "He told me, 'Don't give advice on race relations. Don't let people take you there. That deflects from your message. You don't have to talk about that. Let others do it.'" OnClinton: "Brilliant. No better strategist. Me, I was always part of the clean-up crew. So, afterMonica,when they hollered 'impeachment,' I went on the road to tell voters, 'We voted for him. We wanted him then. . . we still want him. . .' He was appreciative. He said thank you. The man knows how the game is played." OnRice: "A loner. Lets nobody in." OnClarke: "Hey, when you're at the table you act one way. When you're kicked from that table you act another way." [NYP ]