Washington Whispers
A Little Paper Is Thinking Big
Finally there's proof that the Washington Examiner really means to expand to 69 cities: The free tabloid has hired a big name White House correspondent as its first move into national coverage. "It's exciting to come in and help build that national voice," says Bill Sammon of the Washington Times, who's also a Fox News contributor and author. Sammon's move surprised the city's journalism establishment, which is skeptical of the Examiner's expansion plans. But he tells us the free paper is the real deal. That's not good news for editors of low-paying Washington news bureaus. They could be the next to be raided by the Examiner.
Redskins Get Their Place at State
The Washington Redskins are finally getting some respect inside the State Department. We hear that Secretary of State Condi Rice has put a Redskins helmet on the shelf behind her cozy office desk. It happened after Redskins defensive assistant head coach Gregg Williams won an invitation to talk football with the administration's foremost NFL expert and fan. They chatted in the same white chairs in Rice's outer office where she conducts very official bilateral meetings with world leaders. "Listen," says an aide, "it's all serious business here, but sometimes she likes a break." Williams brought the helmet as a gift, and now it shares the top shelf with a Cleveland Browns helmet.
Pricey Lunch, but Maybe a Free Flick
Hollywood's man in Washington, Dan Glickman, has a deal for you. Bid nearly $1,000 on eBay for a charity lunch and he'll consider taking you to a movie. Here's the offer: Glickman, head of the Motion Picture Association of America, has joined "Lunch With a Leader," the auction fundraiser that benefits Communities In Schools. He's offering lunch at MPAA's HQ or at his favorite restaurant, Cafe Milano in Georgetown. If the bidder ads an extra $50 for the charity, "I may even treat them to a movie." It's not his first eBay move, though. Glickman has started suing movie pirates who sell their stolen flicks on the site.
24 Has TiVos Humming in D.C.
There's a new rule inside the White House for fans of Fox's hit 24 starring Kiefer Sutherland: Don't talk about the latest episode for a week, until the next one airs. The reason: Working hours at the White House are so bad that dozens of 24fans TiVo it for the weekend and don't want to know what happened before watching. After one episode, our insider says she overheard staffers telling Chief of Staff Andy Card about how the 24 character who plays his role hanged himself. "They totally ruined that for me."
With With Julian E. Barnes
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