Washington Whispers
Unveiled: Portrait of an Officer
Surveys show Americans think the military is tops when it comes to leadership. But inside the Pentagon, the brass think they could do better at training and picking the next generation of leaders. To help, human resources firm CPP Inc. was hired three years ago to help one branch develop a better blueprint to pick the best and the brightest. This week the firm releases its 18-point "portrait of a leader," which will aid in picking the next brass. Key leadership traits: self-control, self-confidence, influence, understanding others, capacity for collaboration, and creativity.
Now on the Web, Oval Office Hopes
He's the popular New Mexico governor who has done stints in Congress, the United Nations, and the Energy Department, so it's about time Bill Richardson had a website promoting him for president. Well, americaforrichardson.org is up and running, and its webmaster, former Richardson aide Jeff Gulko, says the goal is to get 2008's lone Hispanic hopeful elected president. It might be working. Democrat Richardson tells us he's mulling over a January announcement and says, "I've got something to offer."
Which Is Worse, a Beating or a Bris?
Even in the middle of last week's GOP election wreckage, party boss Ken Mehlman had time for humor. Reviewing Virginia Sen. George Allen's disastrous and losing re-election bid, Mehlman, a Jew, mentioned how Allen discovered his Jewish roots during the campaign. Mehlman says he called Allen to welcome him to the "tribe," then asked: "Do you know what a bris is?" referring to the circumcision ceremony. "He said he kind of knew," says Mehlman, "and I can tell you he wasn't into it."
Rushing Into a Night of Insults
Look out, Michael J. Fox and any other liberals. Conservative yakker Rush Limbaugh is taking his one-man show to Washington this week. At the Thursday show, sponsored by WMAL and the Heritage Foundation for the benefit of the Fisher House Foundation, we hear he'll most likely touch on Fox, incoming Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the GOP's impotence, and his use of Viagra.
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
Politicians usually don't do love scenes without controversy, and former senator and Pentagon boss William Cohen thought that was the case with his relationship and eventual marriage to Janet Langhart, a former Black Entertainment Television host. In the touching Love in Black and White, due out Valentine's Day, Cohen tells of falling for Langhart over Absolut Vodka and getting the jitters over telling his parents and sons his girlfriend was African-American. Turns out it wasn't a problem. His parents took to her fast. And his eldest son beat Cohen with his own news about dating a black woman. "Maybe we should have a double wedding," his son offered.
With Silla Brush
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