-
Barack Obama's Red Lotus Plant
Tweet Share on Facebook February 5, 2009 Comment (5)By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers
Talk that President Obama wants to appoint a White House farmer has already prompted one greenhouse company to name a lotus in honor of the new prez. Lilypons, a big Maryland supplier of water plants, is now selling a Nelumbo lotus called the President. "It is unique in that it holds its blossom well above the lotus pads," says Lilypon's Margaret Koogle. "It's a red lotus and quite majestic—thus the name President." A possible White House home? The South Lawn fountain.
-
Army Guys are Hooked On 'Army Wives'
Tweet Share on Facebook February 5, 2009 Comment (1)By Anna Mulrine, Washington Whispers
It kind of falls into the same category as "don't ask, don't tell": Army guys are getting hooked on the Army gals' hit Army Wives on Lifetime. One officer sheepishly tells us that he watches it to relax and reveals that a lot of his foxhole buddies like the show. They say it's realistic, especially in how it depicts battle syndrome issues like post-traumatic stress disorder.
-
In Obama's White House It's Families First
Tweet Share on Facebook February 5, 2009 Comment (5)By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers
Every new administration says it, but the Obama team means it when it promises to make sure staffers get home for family time. "He wants everybody to put in their hours but get home to see their wives and husbands and kids," says the wife of a top aide. "Sure, they have to work long hours, but he's made it a point to make families first, even if that means that I have to take the kids to the office," she adds. Such promises are not uncommon. Former Bushies said the same thing—until the hours got so bad somemoms quit.
-
For New Fox Anchor Bret Baier, It's Still About His Boy
Tweet Share on Facebook February 4, 2009 Comment (3)By Nikki Schwab, Washington Whispers
It wasn't just the Fox News folks who were there for Special Report's new anchor, Bret Baier, when his newborn son was undergoing multiple heart surgeries. It was his competitors, too. "David Gregory wrote a nice note," Baier tells Whispers. And NBC's Norah O'Donnell and CNN's Ed Henry also checked in. Paul Baier, now 19 months old, was born with five major problems with his heart and almost didn't make it. At the time, Baier was Fox News's chief White House correspondent and frequently received calls and E-mails of support from President Bush and other well-wishers. "Tony [Snow] E-mailed almost every day. The first call I got was from Brit Hume, and he checked in all the time, and my big boss, Roger Ailes, called in a lot," Baier says.
-
New Sarah Palin Biography Goes Behind the Scenes
Tweet Share on Facebook February 4, 2009 Comment (74)By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers
Now we know why former Republican VP nominee Sarah Palin said, "Oh, Carhartt! I love it!" when I arrived in a brown Carhartt barn coat to interview her near the end of the 2008 presidential campaign. A new book by People's Lorenzo Benet reveals that she's got a thing for the rugged work clothes. "I love a man in Carhartts," he quotes her saying. Of course, it's hubby Todd's fave clothing line. Among the other notable tidbits in the soon-to-be-published Trailblazer: An Intimate Biography of Sarah Palin:
-
Pro-Obama Group Expands Rush Limbaugh Bashing Campaign
Tweet Share on Facebook February 3, 2009 Comment (129)By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers
As President Obama makes his final push for approval of the $825 billion and growing job stimulus plan, he's winning support from groups like Americans United for Change that are targeting opposing Republicans. We heard from Americans United boss Brad Woodhouse today, and he revealed plans to expand his ad campaign against Republican foes. The hook of the ads: Are Republicans going to walk in lock-step with popular conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh? "The time to act boldly to turn this economy around is now, and we are leaving no stone unturned, ratcheting up the pressure on key senators to do the right thing," he says. "House Republicans decided to listen to Rush Limbaugh and put partisan politics ahead of getting people back to work as the Obama plan would do. We are putting senators on notice not to follow Limbaugh off the cliff into the political abyss but to support the Obama jobs plan instead." -
Mike Hayden: the Steelers' Biggest Fan in Washington
Tweet Share on Facebook February 3, 2009 CommentBy Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers
He's probably one of Washington's biggest Pittsburgh Steelers fans. After all, outgoing CIA Director Michael Hayden grew up in Pittsburgh and is pals with the team's owner, Dan Rooney. Hayden even has a street beside the team's stadium named after him. So it was no surprise that Hayden and his wife, Jeanine, went to Tampa for Sunday's Super Bowl at Rooney's invite.
-
Obama Faces Diversity Complaints: Too Many White Males
Tweet Share on Facebook February 2, 2009 Comment (17)By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers
Minority leaders, especially in Congress, are concerned about the largely white male makeup of the Obama administration's financial team. The concern reached a peak in late December when the NAACP, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, National Bankers Association, and National Association of Black Accountants dispatched envoys to meet with the financial transition team. The groups provided names of people available to fill key roles, according to sources, but their envoys also focused on pushing the Obama financial team to support housing and financial policies that help low-income people. A month later, there have been no jobs for the names submitted. Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee of California, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, has met with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel about the lack of diversity. "We are concerned about this and will continue to monitor it," said a caucus official. Stay tuned: Lee is now pushing for a meeting with Treasury Secretary Geithner. "Representative Lee is concerned," said a person close to the CBC. "She expects to see diversity in this very important area. This could become an issue for the president if it is not quickly resolved."
-
Newt Gingrich Likes Palin's Chances for President in 2012
Tweet Share on Facebook February 2, 2009 Comment (59)By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers
Don't count Newt Gingrich, the GOP's big thinker, down on his party despite the collapse of the GOP at the polls. A student of history, Gingrich said over bacon and eggs today that it's totally reasonable to think that the Republicans could stage a comeback in the next presidential election. The former House bomb-thrower, who used his 1994 Contract With America to become speaker, says history can repeat itself, especially if the GOP can nominate a charismatic leader who knows how to use the mechanics of the primary and caucus system. He's not endorsing, but he said that former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin will arrive in Iowa first in line. Her advantage: Iowa, the first state to vote in the primary-caucus season, loves Christian conservatives, and her crew there will be large. "Palin starts in Iowa with a substantial base," he said. And, yes, Iowa matters, having put Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter in the lead during their races for the White House. Others in the running: Mitt Romney, if the economy still stinks, and maybe Bobby Jindal, the Louisiana guv.
