Entries for December 2008

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

Presidential historian and collector Barry Landau loves animals, especially if they have an inauguration connection like Socks, Chelsea Clinton's kitty. But one of Landau's favorite inaugural stories revolves around pre-Civil War President Zachary Taylor's Army horse, Whitey. "People know Buddy, Socks, and Fala [FDR's pet Scottie]," he says. But Taylor's horse is another story. Taylor, the 12th president and a Mexican War hero, actually had a picture of Whitey drawn on his inaugural invitation.

By Nikki Schwab, Washington Whispers

Remember that big $700 billion bailout package that Congress passed? There were all sorts goodies tucked inside, including one for bicyclists. Yes, bicyclists. It's called the Bicycle Commuter Act and goes into effect January 1. While employers can already dole out tax-free funds to employees for parking and public transportation, this Act permits companies to provide $20 a month tax free to employees who bike to work, allowing the money to be used for bicycle purchases and bike upkeep. Spearheading the campaign for a bike commuter bill was Democratic Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon. "We have legislation that is designed to promote cycling and to provide a little equity for the people who burn calories instead of fossil fuel," he says.

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers.

Working in a war zone isn't much fun during the holidays, and it's even worse if you don't have a support group like, say, the military's USO. Well, we hear that the CIA knows that, and it established "Operation Holiday Express" to send some traditional American treats to its gang in Iraq and Afghanistan. This year, CIA employees played Santa and donated 9,428 pounds of coffee, chocolate, cookies, snacks, DVDs, CDs, magazines, and other goodies hard to get on the war front to colleagues, a 25 percent increase from last year's haul. It all came together last month when workers across the CIA collected, sorted, and packed the donations for what one insider called "a highly successful clandestine operation."

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers.

Want to know the new place to go on Sundays? Well, if you want to hang out with new Meet the Press host David Gregory and his guests, then we have the place. Tipsters tell us that it's the Starbucks near the NBC HQ. After yesterday's show, Gregory was seen with his family and roundtable guest Richard Wolfe. And for all you Gregory Groupies, "Stretch" took off his tie as he sipped from his mug.

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers.

Sure, it was nice that President-elect Obama and Hillary Clinton, his pick to be America's top diplomat, asked Lee Hamilton to be No. 2 at the State Department. But Whispers has learned that the former prominent Indiana congressman who heads the prestigious Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars ducked the offer. Associates say he doesn't want to travel as much as the job would require, though there are indications that he may be used by Obama as a special Middle East envoy.

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers.

The first family is wrapping up its annual Christmas parties this week, and the chefs tell us one thing stands out over the years of festivities: Gingerbread cookies made to look like Barney, the first pup, have been the hit sweet year after year. But, we're told, he had a competitor this year. Much smaller cookies made to look like the first cat, Kitty, were baked for the first time ever and nearly stole the show.

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers.

Remember our Whisper about the anonymous member of the Army brass who is penning books and being compared to Tom Clancy? Today, we reveal his name: Brig. Gen. Anthony Tata, pen name A.J. Tata, former deputy commanding general of the 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan. His new book, Sudden Threat, is winning rave reviews and calls from film producers. Tata is donating 100 percent of the royalties to the USO Hospital Services Program for wounded warriors. "I chose the program," he tells us, "because 93 to 95 cents on the dollar go directly to the intended recipients." He's already raised $15,000 for the program.

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers.

Happy Holidays from your Whispers crew of Paul Bedard, Nikki Schwab,Morgan Felchner, and Margi Mannix. It was a busy year, but next year looks to be even busier. Look for our brand-new Web page in early January and more of the Capitol Bobbles!

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers.

This Christmas note just landed in our E-mail from Michelle Obama:

Paul—This holiday season, the grassroots movement you helped build can make a big difference for those in need.

I hope you will join me in supporting your favorite charity or contributing to causes that are especially meaningful to me and my family.

While many of us will spend the holidays counting our blessings and sharing dinner with loved ones, millions of people around the country won't be so fortunate. Donating to your local food bank will help provide a holiday meal to people in your community who can't afford one.

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers.

The Sarah Palin backlash—or comeback—is underway. Misused by the McCain campaign, then dissed by anonymous McCainiacs as a haughty diva, those who think the senator and his staff are to blame are starting to speak out. And we're not talking about those who traveled with the Alaska governor who quickly took a shining to her and chafed when the McCain team botched her coming out on the campaign trail. Now I'm hearing from key Republicans on Capitol Hill and GOP pollsters who believe that the McCain campaign should have put her out to talk about energy and political independence—her two best issues—instead of making her the conservative attack dog.

By Nikki Schwab, Washington Whispers.

If daughters Sasha and Malia are anything like their dad, they'll be happy to know that Honest Tea, Barack Obama's fave beverage, is available at their new school, Washington's Sidwell Friends. "Sidwell is the only school I know of that has an Honest Tea vending machine at it, and this was before the Obamas decided to go there," Honest Tea cofounder Seth Goldman says.