Curtains for That Civility Stuff; Model Grandkid; Go Albert III; In Kerry's Web; Bushtractions; Pulling Up Anchor; Some Perk; No Diamond Jim; Clueless in D.C.; Court Busing; Psyched Out
No Diamond Jim; Clueless in D.C.; Court busing; Psyched out
Curtains for that civility stuff
Those obnoxious "Mean People Suck" bumper stickers are being ripped off cars throughout official Washington, as the scuttling of the GOP Senate majority due to Sen. Jim Jeffords's defection has cleared the way for a resumption of the capital's favorite sport: partisan bickering. "The change in the Senate has effectively ended President Bush's ban on partisan sniping," says a top GOP official. It's a relief to both sides. Democrats tell us they were tired of whispering sweet nothings in GOP ears, and Republicans say they're happy to stop the "fraud." Especially cheerful: the Republican National Committee. "Chairman [Jim] Gilmore is champing at the bit to turn it up," says an insider. Don't look for Bush to break his civility code. But so what: His aides and allies are already at it, blasting White Houses foes like California Gov. Gray Davis for hiring former Gore spin doctors to help him out of the energy crisis. However, all Bush mouthpieces will try to refrain from personal attacks, we're told. Instead: The GOP will mine newspaper morgues and personal info to highlight hypocritical actions by Democrats.
Deja vu aboard the Sequoia
Should President Bush renew use of the now privately held Sequoia presidential yacht, we have a pretty good idea of what he would do with it: He'd pack it with dignitaries and pols, lend it to cabinet secretaries to lobby policymakers, and fill the mess with nachos and steak. Our inside tip: Vice President Dick Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld used to oversee the Sequoia operation for former President Ford, and their memos spell it all out. Documents from the Ford library show that the duo found the newly renovated ship to be a great way to schmooze. Says a May 8, 1975, memo to Rumsfeld: It's "a beautiful and gracious way to entertain . . . to influence groups to support administration domestic and foreign policy." If Bush does board, as planned, he can simply reissue the old Ford menus, which featured nachos, chalupas, pepper steak, and "miniature franks in blankets." On Bush's use: We hear the Sequoia Presidential Yacht Foundation and shipowner Gary Silversmith will tap naval cadets and Sea Scouts as onboard escorts.
Model grandkid
Friends say first grandmother Barbara Bush is displeased that Lauren Bush, the 16-year-old daughter of Neil and Sharon Bush, is spending so much time modeling. But she's not blaming the so-called Bush babe. She is angered that the parents haven't let her live a normal life.
Go Albert III
The former veep's son, Albert Gore III, will probably be suited up in a Harvard University football jersey come fall. Gore, a pigskin standout at the exclusive Sidwell Friends School in Washington, was recruited by several colleges to play lacrosse or football.
In Kerry's web
While all his likely foes posture, Massachusetts Democratic Sen. John Kerry is moving quickly to set up a presidential campaign staff. Among the major new moves: He hired Ben Green, Al Gore's 2000 campaign Web man, to run johnkerry.com. The plan: create an E-mail list of 200,000 subscribers and raise cash online. Also, he has recruited top Silicon Valley fundraisers, a clear sign he plans to add technology to his stable of issue positions.
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