Hillary for Vice President

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

The hot rumor in Washington: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton could replace Vice President Joe Biden on the 2012 Obama re-election ticket. It would be a reward for her work at State and ready her for a 2016 run, as some strategists think Biden would be too old then to run for president.

Kyl Sees Jimmie Johnson Era

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

No. 48 came through on Sunday to win the NASCAR crown, but for racing's biggest fan in the Senate, Jimmie Johnson is more than just the 2009 champ. Johnson, says Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl, is now a living legend, already having captured three straight Sprint Cup victories. "It might not just be Jimmie Johnson's year," says Kyl. "It might be his era." Kyl should know: He's been a race fan since a kid, is called Senator NASCAR by friends and even guests on an Arizona radio show Mondays to review the weekend's race.

Matalin and Carville Split Even on Pen Color

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

They are such opposites in politics, clashing so often on candidates and policies, that it's not crazy to wonder if James Carville and Mary Matalin's show isn't just an act. After all, how can two people who disagree on almost everything political—to the degree of working against each other—have what they and their friends call a strong marriage?

Hard News for CNN's King

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

Don't expect political ranting or an edgy agenda from John King when he officially takes over the 7 p.m. anchor chair from Lou Dobbs at CNN early next year. "I hope to have a show that takes time to look at the big picture with newsmakers that are driving the debate," King says. "I want to have fun and lively, provocative analysis and discussion that invites everyone in. I want to be the anchor that is playing broker and traffic cop, not a guy with an agenda."

Pumpkin Dies, but Pecan Still Gobbles

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

Each year, a presidential pardon saves the National Thanksgiving Turkey and his "alternative" from the holiday oven. This year will be no different. President Obama gets his chance with the national gobbler on Wednesday.

Sadly, death typically comes soon afterward, because turkeys are bred to be so heavy that they generally live just 18 weeks (or would, if they weren't already on store shelves before then). Breeders say it's just too hard to get around the fact that the birds' legs and organs aren't made to take care of a Biggest Loser-sized turkey.

Will Rudy or Won't Rudy Run?

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

Suggestions that former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani won't run for governor but is interested in challenging Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand are being met with skepticism among his allies.

Whispers reached out to key Giuliani insiders on the rumors, all of whom said that Giuliani had not told them of his Senate plans. Senate Republicans eager for a strong candidate in that seat would be pleased to have Giuliani in the race but say that the 9/11 governor has not talked to them about it. "Obviously, it would be great if he did it, but we're still having a hard time believing it," said a Senate GOP leadership aide.

Health Reform Plans Fail in 7 State Polls

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

Despite coming under attack from the White House, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is not letting up in its bid to change the Democratic healthcare reform proposals moving through Congress, the latest being Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's plan unveiled yesterday. To bolster its campaign, the chamber has just wrapped up polling in seven key states and found that the plans are not popular even in red states that Obama turned blue in 2008, such as Virginia and Indiana. The polling was conducted November 8-10 by the respected firm of Ayres, McHenry & Associates. In none of the states polled—Alaska, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Carolina, and Virginia—did support for the proposals top 40 percent. And in Arkansas and Louisiana, where two Democratic senators face a tough re-election bid next year, nearly 2 of 3 voters opposed the healthcare plans. "The polls show that in these states with key senators, voters—including majorities of independents in each of these states—oppose the current reform packages. These voters don't think the current approach will reduce costs and think their taxes will be increased under the reform plans in front of Congress," says Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Blair Latoff.

See the poll here.

Turmoil Heightens at 'Washington Times'

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

The turmoil at the Washington Times, long the city's conservative voice, is heightening this week over an ownership squabble and a legal fight with a former editorial page editor who Whispers reveals was having his wages garnished by his former book publisher.

Richard Miniter, the ousted editor, made headlines this week claiming that he was "coerced" into attending a Unification Church mass wedding conducted by church's leader, Rev. Sun Myung Moon. He also claimed age discrimination—he's 42—and has said that the Times didn't want to pay his high salary. His complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission was reported first by Talking Points Memo.