Heard on the Hill: Pity the Fool
Roll Call Staff
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Interns answering phones for Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) have the lawmaker’s pecking order laid out for them: First come lobbyists, then other Members of Congress and government officials, then constituents.
That’s according to an apparently informal “Intern’s Survival Guide” making the rounds on Wednesday after the budget watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense posted the memo on its Web site.
The guide lists an “A Team” of lobbyists designated for preferential treatment. Leading the roster is Rick Alcalde, who attended a 2005 fundraiser for Young featuring Daniel Aronoff, a client and developer seeking the now-infamous earmark for Coconut Road in Florida. Young is under investigation for earmarking $10 million for the road far from his home state.
Others on that list include Randy DeLay, the brother of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas), Rep. turned appropriations lobbyist Jay Dickey (R-Ark.) and several former staffers.
“These people can talk to whomever they want, normally Mike or Sara,” the guide states, in an apparent reference to Chief of Staff Mike Anderson and then-Executive Assistant Sara Parsons.
Taxpayers for Common Sense says it got the memo from someone who applied for an internship in Young’s office last spring, who was handed it by Anderson as part of a package of materials on the office.
Young’s office didn’t dispute the authenticity of the memo but called it “incredibly outdated” and said it was “pieced together by several former interns and not by staff.”
“This ‘guide’ in no way reflects the official policies of Rep. Young’s office,” Young spokeswoman Meredith Kenny said in a statement.
The memo offers plenty of seemingly tongue-in-cheek advice for navigating life in an office with seemingly two bosses: the gruff Young and his wife, Lula.
Among the tips for dealing with “Mrs. Y,” the memo offers: “Don’t stand in her way — don’t stand anywhere I would suggest. Sit down or hide in the broom cupboard.”
As for “The Boss,” the memo admonishes he “does not like facial piercings.” “Keep your hands out of your pockets,” it says. “Expects you to open doors for him (particularly tricky when he does not specify where he is going, make a guess). Should always be referred to as ‘The Congressman’ or ‘the Chairman.’ Leaves rooms at speed the moment he is done, try to keep up.”
Steve Ellis, of Taxpayers for Common Sense, said besides being funny, the guide paints a portrait of an office where a small cadre of lobbyists are offered “exalted status.”
“The real kicker is the ‘A Team,’” he said. “They’re all lobbyists, and these are the people who don’t pass go. They’re in the fast lane to make sure they get direct access.”
Making the Band. Rep. Bill Sali might only be in his first term in Congress, but he’s already managed to get into one of the most exclusive institutions on Capitol Hill. No, not the Appropriations Committee, but something way cooler: the all-Member rock ‘n’ roll band the Second Amendments.
The Idaho Republican is taking over on drums for Rep. Kenny Hulshof (R-Mo.), who is retiring to run for Missouri governor, Sali spokesman Wayne Hoffman confirmed to HOH on Wednesday. It’s a good fit for the group, since Sali spent his younger days working as a professional musician.
“That’s how he’s earned a living, by virtue of playing,” Hoffman said.
Sali gave up his musical ambitions to work in law and then in the state Legislature, but his musical roots remain. He hopes to bring more Motown and classic rock tunes to the Second Amendments’ set list, adding to a repertoire that already includes plenty of rock and country hits.
And HOH also hears that Rep. John Hall (D-N.Y.), who helped form the 1970s rock band Orleans, could soon be stepping up to sing vocals for the group. Unfortunately, a Hall spokeswoman did not get back to HOH by press time to confirm.
Other members of the Second Amendments include Reps. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) on vocals and guitar, Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.) on lead guitar, Dave Weldon (R-Fla.) on bass and Jon Porter (R-Nev.) on keyboards.
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