Washington Whispers
Don't Say No to the Lady With the Dough
Here's just one hint why nobody should be taking seriously the talk in some Democratic circles that House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi might be pushed aside for a moderate speaker should the party retake the chamber in three weeks: She's a money machine who has raised over $50 million this two-year election cycle and over $100 million since getting the top House Democratic post four years ago. She did it the old fashioned way: logging 19-hour days leading to Election Day.
Why Katie's Not All Bad for Old Bob
When Katie Couric pushed Bob Schieffer out of his CBS Evening News anchor chair, it wasn't all bad for the newsman. That's because it brought him back to Washington from New York, clearing the lone hurdle to his induction this month into the exclusive Gridiron Club of national journalists. "He's probably the most popular journalist we have," says the club president, John Hall of Media General. Hall jokes that the notably off-tune Schieffer is a perfect match for the club known most for its annual political skits. "He'll fit right in because he can't sing." Also inducted: retiring Greenbrier Resort President Ted Kleisner as an honorary member. The club holds winter meetings at the West Virginia hotel.
Playing for Time on North Korea's Nukes
He's already overseeing two wars, so does Gen.Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, think he's got enough left to take on North Korea? Well, yes and maybe. Yes, he says, there are more than enough troops, when you figure that about 200,000 are in the Middle East, leaving some 2 million on tap. But since the precision systems like Predator drones are being used in Iraq and Afghanistan, just the "brute force" of a massive bombing campaign would have to do the trick. "You'll end up dropping more bombs potentially to get the job done," he says. Thankfully, he adds, "there's a lot more diplomacy to take place."
A Long, and Wet, Way From Iraq
The long road to recovery for many Iraq and Afghan war vets turns out to be a wet-and fun-one for some. We hear that one popular program has vets kayaking down the Potomac River and training in swimming pools. And now Team River Runner is winning White House support. Rob Portman, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, has volunteered, and former White House spokesman Scott McClellan is helping to expand the program in Texas. Even New York Times columnist Tom Friedman, author of the hit book The World Is Flat, has contributed cash.
With Will Sullivan and Anna Mulrine
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