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Heard on the Hill: Stevens Is King of the Mountain

The late Sen. Ted Stevens may live on in infamy for his legal woes ‘ and in HOH’s hearts for his collection of Incredible Hulk ties. But now he will also forever be immortalized in the form of a mountain in his home state of Alaska.

The longest-serving Senate Republican, who died in a plane crash earlier this year, has an Alaskan mountain and icefield (which is larger than an alpine glacier but smaller than an ice sheet, for those in the lower 48 who might be unfamiliar with glacial terminology) named after him.

President Barack Obama on Monday afternoon signed the Mount Stevens and Ted Stevens Icefield Designation Act, legislation sponsored by Stevens’ friend and former intern, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

The bill, now the law of the land, officially named the highest unnamed peak in Alaska, as well as the icefield, in tribute to the former Senate titan.

To the Right, Obama’s a Head Case

Hollywood bigwigs often get creative to promote their latest films ‘ and as it turns out, even wonky, conservative documentarians need to think a little outside the box to get attention for their work.

When the uber-right-wing documentary ‘I Want Your Money’ celebrated its D.C. premiere in Georgetown last week, among the swag given to guests was a bobblehead doll of President Barack Obama dressed as Uncle Sam. The 5-inch toy mirrors the image used in promotional advertisements for the film, narrated and directed by filmmaker Ray Griggs, who is being called the right’s answer to Michael Moore.

While the flick lagged at the box office in its nationwide opening this past weekend ‘ it earned an anemic $279,000 in 537 theaters, roughly $520 per screen ‘ it remains much buzzed about among the tea party set (although we’re guessing that the producers would like them to buy a few more tickets).

Through interviews with a who’s who of prominent Republicans, including Reps. Tom McClintock (Calif.) and Thaddeus McCotter (Mich.), former Speaker Newt Gingrich (Ga.), former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, businessman Steve Forbes and former California Gov. Pete Wilson, the film criticizes Obama’s economic policies and urges a return to the economic policies promoted by President Ronald Reagan.

Take Five!

Every Tuesday, HOH gets to know a Member of Congress better through a series of five fun questions. Today, we chat with Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas), who spent his college days bouncing around.

Q: Who do you think will win the World Series?

A: The Texas Rangers.

Q: If you could have dinner with anyone tonight ‘ aside from your family ‘ who would you dine with?

A: Clint Eastwood.

Q: If you could live anywhere, not including your district, where would you live?

A: Aspen, Colo.

Q: What’s your hidden talent?

A: I was a member of Texas Tech’s trampoline team.

Q: If you weren’t a Member of Congress, what would you be doing?

A: Making money ‘ probably back in the real estate development business.

Celeb Carpenter Builds Memories

A trip to D.C. is more than just work for ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’ carpenter Paul DiMeo. DiMeo, who is set to accept an award tonight from the Paralyzed Veterans of America, gets a chance to take a stroll down memory lane during his visits.

When DiMeo was a kid, his father commuted from their home in Philadelphia to Washington, where he worked at the Department of Labor. Occasionally, DiMeo tagged along and indulged his nerdier side.

‘In the summertime … I’d go down and I’d go to all the Smithsonian museums,’ he remembers. ‘One of my favorites was the National Gallery of Art.’

These days, DiMeo is spending a lot of time in the District. In fact, tonight marks the second time he’s been in town this week.

Over the weekend, he attended a Nationals Park event honoring the Fishing School in D.C., which was featured on his ABC show last year.

Overheard on the Hill

‘Rush Limbaugh saying that I am certifiably insane is like George Clooney saying that I’m good-looking.’

‘ Rep. Alan Grayson in a Monday tweet. The Florida Democrat recently created the ‘Rush Limbaugh, Mind Your Own Business’ Fund to collect campaign donations.

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