Please, Al, you're scaring the kids:

The tabloids have Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie -- or "Brangelina," as the couple is called -- to fret about. But Washington has the relationship between Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld -- "Donoleezza" -- to worry about.

At a recent news conference, Sen. John Warner asked the components of "Donoleezza" about how they get along:

Warner noted that he had been at the Pentagon years ago, and relations between State and Defense can be "interesting." But "I'd say this team is managing that marvelously."

"Mr. Secretary, do you care to comment?" Warner asked Rumsfeld.

"I agree," Rumsfeld said.

"I agree," Rice chimed in. "I like him. I think he likes me."

Of course he does, Condi; everyone likes you! You're the only member of the Administration with an approval rating over 50 percent.

The same Kamen column also brings us this Massive Irony Alert:

Michael Scanlon, the former Rehoboth Beach lifeguard who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to bribe a congressman and other public officials in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal, is waiting for Johns Hopkins University's Krieger School of Arts and Sciences to mail him his master's degree based on his thesis on -- what else? -- the history of the House ethics process.

Scanlon, Roll Call reported Wednesday, was at the university's Washington campus Monday night to defend his advanced government thesis before four faculty members and nine students in the room.

So maybe Scanlon didn't commit any crimes -- it was all just "research" into House ethics. Considering the comprehensive nature of his field work, Scanlon totally deserves to graduate summa.

What Condi Whispered About Don [WP]

Keep the Faith, Baby [Roll Call]