Heard on the Hill: He Could ... Go ... All ... The ... Way
Roll Call Staff
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They’ve appeared on all the cable networks, they’ve been grilled on the Sunday morning talk shows and they’ve laughed it up on the late-night gabfests. But in the last hours of the presidential election, Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) will have just one final television campaign stop to make: Monday Night Football.
Longtime ESPN anchor Chris Berman stopped by the National Press Club on Wednesday, where he announced that it appears likely that he will get to interview both candidates during Monday night’s live broadcast, which, of course, will take place just hours before voters head to the polls.
“I didn’t think that would ever happen,” said Berman, who was at the club to accept a lifetime achievement award from cable industry group CableFAX. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Obama famously appeared on MNF in December 2006, when rumors were circulating that he would soon announce his run for the White House. On that broadcast, Obama instead announced his support for his hometown Chicago Bears, who were playing the St. Louis Rams.
MNF also will be somewhat familiar territory for McCain. Hank Williams Jr., who sings the program’s famed “Are You Ready for Some Football?” theme song, has written, and performed at rallies, a special campaign song for the Arizona Republican.
Make a Date With Wolf. It’s looking like Tuesday will be a relatively low-key Election Day here in Washington ... not in terms of frayed nerves, of course, but at least when it comes to the partying. Party plans for this year appear to be more muted than those in past election years, with lots of Republicans planning to hole up and brace for widely anticipated losses and with plenty of Democrats out of town on campaign business.
Highlights of the lineup of election night festivities include the results-watching party at the Hyatt Regency sponsored by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The Democratic National Committee is holding a soiree at the Mayflower Hotel.
Things are a little less lively over on the GOP side, although the Republican National Committee is mustering up a big bash at the Capital Hilton. The National Republican Congressional Committee doesn’t have anything on its social calendar, while the National Republican Senatorial Committee is hosting a small, invite-only gathering at its headquarters.
As for civilian fetes, two of the biggest are being held by public relations firms: Qorvis Communications is co-hosting a party in the company’s downtown offices with Beam Global Spirits & Wine Inc. (HOH hears both presidential candidates will be there, courtesy of Madame Tussauds wax museum), while Gloria Dittus of Dittus Communications is hosting a party in her swank Kalorama home.
Skadden Arps ethics expert Ken Gross tells HOH most E-night events that he’s heard of are smaller, reception-style gatherings at local restaurants (in order, of course, to stay on the right side of those pesky ethics rules). “I’m always looking for that warm glow of Sterno,” he says of his clients’ proposed party plans, referring to the preferred method for keeping finger foods warm on (ethics-rules-sanctioned) buffets. “When I see that, I know we’re going down the right path.”
And for revelers who want to go freelance, just about every bar and restaurant in town is offering an election-themed drink.
But for a real blowout, try the throwdown hosted by Antonella Barba, the Lounge-201-waitress-turned-American-Idol-contestant with a requisite naughty-Internet-photo scandal. She’ll be at Ultra Bar for a party sponsored by ElectionMall.com.
Somebody pass us a mini quiche.
Look Out, Tina Fey. Polls might show that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is a drag on the Republican presidential ticket, but the vice presidential candidate is proving to be popular with an unlikely segment of voters: drag queens.
HOH operatives spotted at least four divas dressed as the Alaska governor sashaying down 17th Street Northwest on Tuesday night for the 23rd annual High Heel Drag Race. (See photos, p. 19.) In addition to fitted blazers and pencil skirts, one Sarah look-alike donned moose antlers, another had a glove that doubled as a moose puppet and yet another carried a baby doll.
Palin wasn’t the only GOP character in attendance: a drag version of Cindy McCain, a guy in a “Joe the Plumber” getup and a Todd Palin (holding a sign that read “Neiman Marcus spoiled my girl”) were part of the spectacle.
Local politicians weren’t left out of the fun. One queen dressed as D.C. Councilmember Carol Schwartz (R) strutted down the parade route with a campaign sign over her shoulder, while the real Schwartz laughed at her side. Also working the crowd was the Republican who beat her in the heated September primary, Patrick Mara.
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Quietly hidden amid debates over which agency should house a consumer financial protection agency is a simple consumer financial protection proposal. It would safeguard Main Street residents from malpractice by people claiming to be financial planners. Read Full Article
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