Gossip Roundup: Surprisingly Erudite Edition
• Reliable Source: Bush-Cheneycampaign solicits a campaign donation fromMr. Valerie Plame. (Bad intelligence again?) PETA's new spokesmodel eats meat.The GovernatorlikesRussert's six-pack(where is it?).Sean Pennspotted "socializing" withEric Trump. (How much do you have to socialize to be over the legal limit?) [ WP ]
• Washington Whispers: New book aboutRumsfelduncovers prediction that "a terrorist group will use a weapon of mass destruction against a U.S. targetby 2020." (Who knows how this escaped the notice of Rush & Malloy.) [ US News ]
• Inside the Beltway: Credit where credit is due;Agnewcame up with "Radic-lib" ages beforeRobert Reichcoined "radcon." So there. For the first time, Federal Communications Commission members will not be traveling to the annual convention of the Nation Association of Broadcasters on the NAB's dime.The Washington Times congratulates FCC Chairman Michael Powel (in office for 3 years) for taking this brave stand.[ WT ]
• The Shadow: Condi Ricespent Valentine's on a date.With a man. Marion Barrymay run for D.C. city council, "he craves an infusion of adulation and money." [ The Hill ]
• Heard on the Hill: "Staffers" premiere tonight at 8PM on the Discovery Channel. (Unless ricin is involved, we're not thinking it'll be that exciting. But you never know.) Alaskan RepublicanGov. Frank Murkowskiwent to Democratic Governors Association meeting by accident. TheCalifornia State Society is throwing a pre-Oscar Night bashat the Andrew Mellon Auditorium that will give guests a chance to walk a red carpet, pose for some faux paparazzi and sample food and drinks inspired by this year’s five best picture nominees.NBC’s offices are almost in Maryland(Ha, ha. Er. . . what's the joke?) Michigan businessmanJames Wilsonis selling toilet paper with photos of the presidential candidate that you would most like to see flushed.Loretta Sanchez (D -CA)got her photo on the wall of the Longworth Starbucks. [ Roll Call ]
• Rush & Malloy: Monicafeelsnon-Monica'spain; uses poor choice of words: "[W]e have politicsdipping into someone's personallife."Schwarzeneggerhas made arrangements to continue pumping iron, puffing cigars while in NYC for GOP convention. [ NYDN ]
• Lloyd Grove's Lowdown: CNN axesCharles Feldman, Mike Boettcher, Chris Osbourne and Brian Cabell. Says it'snot a bloodbath, more of a blood high tide: "What you're seeing is the normal ebb and flow of any business."
• Page Six: Hillary'stoothache keeps her from being pain in the ass at NY state Conference of Mayors. NY councilwoman may have made an enemy ofKerryby switching her endorsement toDean.Lil' Kim'sletter toBill O'Reillyis surprisingly,suspiciously erudite: "I was completely blindsided by Mr. O'Reilly's derogatory comments against me. It shows the world that contrary to popular beliefs, Neanderthals are not entirely extinct. This man has manifested a vendetta against black music." More Kerry news: celebs in attendance at fundraiser includedJon Bon Jovi(performing),Robert De Niro, Serena Altschul, Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, Tina Brown, Wendy Wasserstein, Ron Delsener and Donny Ienner. Finally showing some good taste: Monica Lewinskysighted at thePalomar/Autumn Defense(members ofWilco) show. [ NYP , NYP , NYP , NYP and NYP ]