Washington Whispers

How cute. Sunday readers of the Des Moines Register, arguably one of the most important political newspapers in the country, are provided a fun column that gives roses to newsmakers who do good and thistles to those who don't. Well, to our shock, Whispers seems to be responsible for a thistle to Sen. Tom Harkin, which he doesn't deserve. See, we recently wrote about his moonshine roots in a fun item about his induction into the George Washington Spirits Society. In it, we noted that he likes to take a bottle of local fave Templeton Rye with him on pheasant hunts. Here's what we wrote: "He's also a fan of Templeton Rye, a whiskey from the Hawkeye State, which sometimes accompanies him in a milk jug for pheasant shoots." We never suggested he takes swigs in between shots. In fact, we hunters know that there are several cardinal rules—one being no booze while the gun's off safe. But a celebration swig at sundown is perfectly fine, and that's what we believed the senator meant. But the Register suggested something else yesterday:

"A thistle to Sen. Tom Harkin for suggesting it's OK for hunters to take a few shots from the jug while out taking a few shots at pheasants. According to a U.S. News & World Report item, Harkin admitted to sometimes taking along a milk jug containing Templeton Rye. That might explain Dick Cheney's bad aim, but it's a risky combination in any case."

Sorry, Register editors, but that was a wild shot.

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They haven't won the White House or cemented a filibuster-proof, 60-vote Senate majority, but confident Democrats are already looking past November 4 to Election Day 2010. Their goal is to avoid mistakes while pushing a bold, voter-savvy plan that could break history's pattern and help them build on their majority. The gee-whiz idea: balancing the federal budget. "Nobody would think we could do it. That's why it's so bold and a winner for us," says a key Democratic Senate aide. And, he says, it's better than the alternative: If the Dems do get 60 senators and squander their advantage, they fear voters will sack them in 2010.

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Being plucked from a relatively quiet life to join a presidential nominee as the running mate can be a rude shock to the psyche and the family. But the designated pit bulls, Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Sarah Palin, have moved swiftly to add some homey touches to their temporary residences: the campaign jets. On Biden's craft, rented from Sun Country, it's all about family. So much so that staffers call his airborne office "County Biden" because it looks like a flying family reunion. Regulars include son Hunter and niece Missy, and his grandkids often get a ride. It's not unusual to find a baby car seat or two on the tarmac getting the treatment from U.S. Secret Service bomb-sniffing dogs. Inside Biden's cabin are pictures of wife Jill and son Beau, in crew cut because he just deployed to Iraq. And beware the overhead compartment. Biden (Secret Service code name "Celtic") has filled it with campaign-trail trinkets to give to his grandchildren. The candidate also keeps a couple of mementos for himself: a Philadelphia Flyers jersey given to him by Jill, a passionate hockey fan, and a football from Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. While Biden's an avid Eagles fan, he has a soft spot in his heart for the Steelers, who reached out to him after his first wife died in 1972. Of course, it's family time on Palin's jet, too, often led by her little daughter Piper. We hear that she walks around handing out black licorice and "Vote for Piper's Mom" stickers to staff and reporters. While it's dubbed Straight Talk II, the staff calls the jet the "Airacuda," a spin on Palin's Last Frontier moniker, "Sarahcuda." Fox News is the cable station of choice. And local grub is a big deal. When landing in cities new to the Alaska governor, staffers troll www.roadfood.com for tips. The faves so far: In-N-Out Burger, Culver's Burgers, and Philly cheesesteaks.

Illustration by Joe Ciardiello for USN&WR

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In our latest Washington Whispers poll, Americans seem to be voicing their anger with the plight of the economy and the huge Dow drop that's impacting their 401(k)'s. This week, we asked what one symbolic move President Bush could make to show that he understands the hard financial choices Americans have to face every day. And the top answer: Cancel the lavish annual Christmas parties. That, of course, isn't going to happen, but your voice is being heard. The next choice: Ground Air Force One. Fortunately, though, our polling sample had a heart when it came to the First Pups. Asked if the president should shift dog foods to a cheaper brand, only 3 percent said that Barney and Miss Beasley should go on Wal-Mart's Ol' Roy.

The Whispers Poll

In these economically challenging times, what one symbolic move could President Bush make in the White House to show that he understands the hard financial choices Americans have to make every day?

Cancel lavish annual Christmas parties 49%
Ground Air Force One 25%
Pump his own gasoline 12%
Open a West Wing soup kitchen 10%
Put his dogs on Wal-Mart's Ol' Roy food 3%

Source: The Synovate eNation Internet poll was conducted October 9-13 among 1,000 nationally representative households by global market research firm Synovate.

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