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.
'Know Thy Enemy' Is the GOP Motto
Rising House Democratic leader Rep. Rahm Emanuel is one tough political battler, and now the Republican leading the charge to return the GOP to power in the House wants his side to know just how formidable the opposition can be. We hear that Rep. Tom Cole, head of the National Republican Congressional Committee, has purchased a couple dozen copies of the Chicago Tribune bio on Emanuel: The Thumpin': How Rahm Emanuel and the Democrats Learned to Be Ruthless and Ended the Republican Revolution. The reason is simple. Cole wants his staff to learn about the guy who orchestrated the 2006 House Democratic takeover. The goal, says NRCC spokeswoman Jessica Boulanger, is to use that knowledge against Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Emanuel to take back the House in 2008. "We're looking forward to the sequel," says Boulanger: "Nancy, You Screwed Us: Rahm's Profanity-Laced Tirade on How the Democrats Learned to Raise Taxes, Slash Medicare, and Got Thumped for It."
Bush Urged to Make Recess Picks
While Congress takes its monthlong break, President Bush is being urged to use his recess appointment powers to name new federal judges. "Bush should make recess appointments," says a key GOP senator. Republicans are dismayed that the Democrats haven't lived up to a pledge to vote on Bush's judges. Some Democrats have suggested blocking every Bush judicial nominee until he leaves office, a threat several Republicans say will result in a move to fight any judge a succeeding Democratic president might nominate.
Here's to Wishing McCain Loses Bid
These are scary times for Senate Republicans. Already in the minority, up to four sitting members face tough re-elections. But there's hope: A key GOP lawmaker says he thinks Sen. John McCain will lose his presidential bid and remain a hero in the Senate. And lagging Republican White House seeker Mike Huckabee is being talked about as a strong challenger to Arkansas Sen. Mark Pryor.
Tiger Woods Gets His Own D.C. Drink
Ever since Tiger Woods sank roots in Washington, the golf phenom has been the talk of the town. Now he's the talk at bars. The hot restaurant TenPenh has reinvented the nonalcoholic Arnold Palmer in favor of a spiced-up iced tea drink named for Tiger, who's part Asian. "It felt weird," says a restaurant spokeswoman. "We couldn't serve an Arnold Palmer in an Asian restaurant." TenPenh's is a mix of ginger limeade and passion-fruit iced tea.
Paul Bedard's blog is at www.usnews.com/whispers
With Silla Brush, Nikki Schwab, Anna Mulrine and Suzi Parker
This story appears in the August 13, 2007 print edition of U.S. News & World Report.