43 ties up 41's loose ends on taxes, elitism, Iraq
Exit, grumpily
We're starting to hear whispers that it's time for long-time West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd to pack it up. They come just as Byrd, considered the Senate historian, is barking about how the new kids on the block just aren't up to snuff, especially when it comes to debating war. "Members of Congress," he gripes, "are not as aware, are not as dedicated with respect to the Constitution as they were when I came here." And don't get him started on President Bush. He brags about ignoring first family invitations. "I'm not interested," he grumps, "in going to the White House."
Dissed and dumped
Former President Clinton can still grab a headline, but he's not being mentioned much by the new crowd of presidential candidates. "He's out of vogue," says a senior Democratic strategist. Party bigwigs also worry that he could hurt New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's much anticipated 2008 presidential campaign. The recommendation, says one: "Divorce him."
Detroit takes aim
Detroit's carmakers have had enough of pundit Arianna Huffington's "Detroit Project," which ran a series of tongue-in-cheek ads a few weeks back equating SUV owners with terrorist sympathizers. We hear that auto execs and dealers, who spend $15 billion annually on TV, are threatening to pull their ads if they have to compete with Huffington. Also under Detroit's gun: Jeffrey Runge, head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, who said he wouldn't let his kids ride in an SUV, fearing rollovers. Auto execs say calls were made to friendly administration types and now Runge isn't talking about his concerns.
12-gauge Clark
Turns out there's more to the athleticism of retired Gen. Wesley Clark, the maybe 2004 Democratic presidential hopeful, than just swimming. Pals say he golfs pretty darned well. And he's a crack shot. During the recent duck drought in his native Arkansas, the Ducks Unlimited member could brag about bagging the daily limit of five mallards.
The idiot's guide
New Central Command spokesman Jim Wilkinson, a White House alum, seems to have survived the slings and arrows insiders threw at him. When he arrived three months ago, he was called too young (32), too political, and--worst of all--a "civilian." That last barb hurt most because he's a lieutenant in the Navy Reserves. But reviews from reporters and officers say he's passed the hazing and has Gen. Tommy Franks's trust. It took work and lots of No-Doz. "I live," he says, "in a permanent state of sleep deprivation." Military types cheer his ability to feed the press while stopping leaks. Reporters are happy that he and boss Torie Clarke, Pentagon spokeswoman, are promising battle access if war with Iraq comes. Wilkinson's even having a little fun in his very serious job. At his own expense, he mailed war correspondents a copy of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Iraq with a note that said, "This book sounds as perfect for you as it is for me. Just kidding. Happy Reading!"
Bush aide Karl Rove's Flat Stanley school project is at www.usnews.com/whispers
With Richard J. Newman and Suzi Parker
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