Washington Whispers
YouTube Not Just for White House Hopeful
In the cyberworld of politics, it's the 2008 presidential candidates who rule. They've got YouTube debates, Facebook pages, MySpace friends, and online fundraising. That's left Capitol Hill clamoring, "Don't forget about us!" Stepping in to fill that void: San Francisco Bay Area Rep. George Miller. He's a 32-year House veteran best known for boosting the minimum wage and college aid programs. But aides joke that he's a tech junkie, with an iPod, an iBook, and a PowerBook at his fingertips. And he's a "CrackBerry," typing so fast on his BlackBerry that, he says, "sometimes I get people writing back saying, 'What the hell does that say?'"
He's led the leap into virtual politicking-among the first in the House with an avatar on the Second Life virtual town site. Then there's MillerTV. As part of his "Ask George" town halls, he answers questions on his MillerTV video podcasts to questions submitted via websites. "We're just trying to stay current," says Miller.
Now Miller's encouraging his colleagues to get in on the virtual act. Some early converts: Freshman Rep. Joe Courtney of Connecticut and old-school House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer have posted videos on their sites.
Still, while he's all in on tech, Miller says he has his limits. Like ponying up $600 for an Apple iPhone. "It would be hard for me to justify at the moment," he says.
Even Chelsea's Mad About Harry Potter
Add former and possibly future first daughter Chelsea Clinton to those who are wild about Harry. On the release weekend for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, she was spotted reading the Potter finale on a plane ride from New York to Washington. "Seeing Chelsea Clinton reading the book," says our tipster, a Republican senator, "was very refreshing."
It's Do or Die for Columnist Novak
At 50, columnist Robert Novak figured he'd stay in the game for 15 or 20 years more. Now, at 76 and with his Prince of Darkness memoirs on the New York Times bestseller list, Novak tells us he'll write till he drops. "As long as I'm cogent enough to have somebody print it," he says, "I'll keep writing it."
Joint Chiefs Handle: 'Midnight Mike'
Adm. Mike Mullen, a shoo-in as the next Joint Chiefs chairman, has a Navy nickname that's piquing curiosity inside the Pentagon. It's "Midnight Mike," a reference, we hear, to the ship driver's reputation for pushing his staff to burn the midnight oil. E-Ring subordinates can take heart, though. Mullen, currently chief of naval operations, also has a rep for rewarding his hard workers with cheers and loyalty.
Central High Still All About Politics
There looks to be a touch of irony at the ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Democratic Arkansas Gov. Orville Faubus's refusal to let blacks into Little Rock's Central High School and Republican President Dwight Eisenhower's effort to force him. Organizers say the September 25 event is becoming a major draw for Democratic presidential candidates. While virtually every pol has been invited, President Bush hasn't responded, but Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are expected to go, as is former Republican Gov. Mike Huckabee. Awaiting his invitation : John Edwards.
advertisement
