Heard on the Hill: Lady in Red
Roll Call Staff
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First lady Michelle Obama went relatively edgy for her inaugural ball gown, choosing a frock designed by under-the-radar newbie Jason Wu. But Speaker Nancy Pelosi kept her inaugural fashion choices tried-and-true.
A knowledgeable source tells HOH that the California Democrat opted for Armani — one of her longtime favorite designers — for her inauguration-ball ensemble. Pelosi
wore a floor-length black skirt and a fitted red jacket from the Italian fashion designer for her evening attending the official West/Southwest inaugural ball.
The always-impeccable Speaker frequently dons Armani suits for work in the Capitol.
And while Pelosi often pays lip service to change (as in “Change We Can Believe In”), that sentiment clearly doesn’t apply to her style.
McCain’s a Ladies Man. Since returning to Capitol Hill from the presidential campaign trail, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) just hasn’t seemed like his usual jovial self. Oh, wait, he never was a big cutup, unless you count the biting sarcasm.
Still, McCain showed he hasn’t lost his charm — or his campaign-induced baby-kissing habit.
Thursday, McCain was saved from a pack of inquisitive reporters when an elevator he was standing near opened to let out new Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet (D), his wife and three daughters, and newly confirmed Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. “Hello,” McCain said to the party as they spilled into the hallway. “I’m the greeter here. Nice to see you.”
When Bennet’s littlest daughter exited, McCain doled out an even warmer greeting, bending down to say “hello.” “Aren’t you beautiful?” he said.
Louie Gohmert, Renaissance Man. Quick, need a quote on Guantánamo Bay? Ask Rep. Louie Gohmert. Or perhaps you need someone to break down the finer points of the stimulus package? Gohmert’s your man.
The House Republican Conference on Friday put out a tipsheet of experts for producers and reporters looking for GOP perspective on various issues. And we couldn’t help but notice that the Texas Republican is one of the go-to guys on every issue but health care ...
But does he do windows?
Presidential Spell Check. Members of Congress have had a lot of nice things to say about our new president, but many of them have had trouble simply spelling the guy’s name.
That wouldn’t come as a surprise to the people behind Web site gooseGrade.com, which released a study earlier this month finding that at least 60 million Web pages contain a misspelling of Democratic President Barack Obama’s first name.
HOH conducted a (highly scientific, natch) Internet search of Member Web sites on Friday to see if anyone had referred to the prez using two of the most common misspellings — “Barak” and “Barrack.”
Members who favored “Barak” included Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.), in a photo caption from Tuesday’s inauguration; Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), in a press release on Obama’s swearing-in; Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), in a photo caption from the inauguration (which has since been fixed); Rep. John Carter (R-Texas), in a Jan. 9 press release urging Obama to work with Republicans on tax cuts; and Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), in a November 2008 statement congratulating Obama on his election victory.
Among those using “Barrack:” Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), in a Jan. 20 speech on Obama’s inauguration address and in a December 2008 press release urging constituents to make early plans for the inauguration; Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.), in a December 2008 press release urging Obama to increase the international affairs budget; Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.), in a June 2008 press release on FISA legislation; and Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), in a July 2008 press release on energy.
Taylor: Preventing Another Underwear Bomber
March 19, 4:09 p.m.
The intelligence community faces challenges daily. No example is more emblematic of the problems faced than the so-called underwear bomber of 2009. As threats emerge, the hunt for “persons of interest” must occur in a more reliable and efficient manner because the consequences of inaction can be catastrophic. Read Full Article
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