Washington Whispers
Obama-rama: A Mix of Hope and Change
Looking at the rapidly filling parking lot of 2008 presidential candidates, it's clear that too few have that new car smell and a handful need a trip to the political version of MTV's Pimp My Ride. Let's call it "Pimp My Candidate" and ask message man Frank Luntz for some words and visuals the pols could use to polish their candidacies. "That's easy," says the author of the new book Words That Work: It's Not What You Say, It's What People Hear.
On the Democratic side, we'll start with new fave Sen. Barack Obama. Luntz says he should talk about "hope" and "opportunity" and simply use his remarkable life story as the visual. "He's a natural," says Luntz, who cautions: "Out with the sound bites and in with the stories." Not surprisingly, Luntz says Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton should use hubby Bill as her visual and mouth words like "mission" and "finally"—as in a woman president.
Across the aisle, Luntz wants Sen. John McCain to talk about his trademark "reform" and "accountability." Olympics exec and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney should highlight "competence" and "good governance" and use the Olympic symbol lots. Luntz pal Rudy Giuliani should talk "success" and "results" and use the cleaned-up Times Square for his backdrop. And every candidate should brag: "I'm a leader in times of crisis." See the whole Luntz list at www.usnews.com/whispers.
First Twin Jenna Shopping a Book
You can soon add the title of author to first daughter Jenna Bush's résumé. Whispers learns that the 25-year-old blond twin of Barbara Bush is shopping a book proposal to major publishers in New York City. We're told that the project is vague and that she's initially only gauging publishers' interest. The White House wouldn't comment, but others say it will be a young-adult book based on the former grade school teacher's experiences with charity causes in Latin America. It ought to sell: She's represented by super lawyer-agent Robert Barnett, who squired her around publishing offices in the Big Apple earlier this month. The profits will go to charity.
Another Job for Dean: Headhunter
Here's proof that election victories can salve wounds. The new chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Rep. Chris Van Hollen, has asked party Chair Howard Dean to help recruit candidates. It was just a few months ago that the old head of the DCCC was swearing at Dean for not spending enough on House races. But Dean and Van Hollen "broke bread" at their first meeting. Tapping Dean was smart: Not only does he travel lots, but the former Vermont guv was once the recruitment boss of the Democratic Governors Association.
Management 101 for Team Romney
With former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney on a hiring spree, the press shop at his presidential exploratory committee already counts nearly a dozen staffers. And Kevin Madden, Romney's top flack, is determined to keep them all working in harmony. His opening gambit: required reading of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable. Madden picked the book up after learning that the coach of his beloved Cincinnati Bengals was distributing copies to his players. "NFL coaches," says Madden, "know more about fusing diverse talents than anyone."
A New Editor for Human Events
Major magazines and daily newspapers aren't the only ones in the media shaking things up as they head into the digital age. Human Events, the paper of record for conservatives and home to writers like Ann Coulter, is shaking up its masthead. This week, it will name a new editor for the paper and HumanEvents.com. He's Jed Babbin, a conservative columnist, TV and radio pundit, and former Pentagon big. One of Babbin's very first tasks: beefing up the paper's website and capitalizing on its Internet holdings like RedState.com.
War Immersion for New Defense Boss
With a second trip to Iraq under his belt, new Defense Secretary Robert Gates has taken an immersion course in the war. Weeks after touring Iraq, he was in Afghanistan last week securing support for the U.S. mission from the allies he met with. But his was no luxury junket. Sure, he ate five-course dinners with heads of state, but mostly it was box lunches and warmed over meatloaf on military aircraft, says an aide. And the hours: One day lasted over 25 hours and included a stop at the Saudi king's hunting lodge outside Riyadh.
It's Beta Vs. VHS for Homeland Czar
Is it a bad sign that Michael Chertoff, secretary of Homeland Security, chose Beta over VHS way back when? He thinks not and even uses that mistake to explain why it's taken so long for some cities to upgrade their communications equipment. "The investment in communications equipment is a very, very costly and different investment," he says. "It's similar to something that we face in our own lives," he adds. "I remember 20 years ago, maybe 25 years ago, they came out with videocassette recorders, and you had to make a choice between Beta and VHS. I'm one of those people who made the mistake of getting Beta." Which meant, of course, that he had to switch to VHS.
Have a Heart, and Help a Journalist
Even if you hate the media, you've got to have a soft spot for the 190 New Orleans Times-Picayune staffers still trying to recover from Hurricane Katrina. At least that's what Susan Feeney of NPR—and a former T-P writer—and her Friends of the Times-Picayune relief fund hope. So far, the fund has collected $260,000 from Microsoft and individuals like New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd and Washington Post Chairman Donald Graham, and on January 25 is holding a big fundraiser. "Do the math," she suggests. "It's not much per family. I need as much money as I can raise."
With Dan Gilgoff and Angie C. Marek
This story appears in the January 29, 2007 print edition of U.S. News & World Report.