Lord Stanley’s Cup Visits Capitol Hill, Parties in Durbin’s Office
For the second time in four years, the Stanley Cup found its way to Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin’s Capitol leadership suite as Illinois ex-pats, Capitol Police hockey superfans, Senate pages and ogling reporters (including this one) celebrated the Chicago Blackhawks.
Or at least they snapped photos with one of sports’ most iconic and unhygienic trophies.
Durbin spent much of the Monday afternoon open house holding court, sitting on his desk and chatting up reception attendees such as National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman and fellow Illinois Democratic Rep. Mike Quigley.
As HOH friend Jordan Fabian of ABC News-Univision points out, perhaps Durbin’s talk with Bettman would have been more useful during the shutdown, as the NHL head has some experience with work stoppages stemming from an “impasse” between two sides.
Earlier Monday, the Stanley Cup was at the White House, where adopted Chicagoan President Barack Obama celebrated the Blackhawks players and staff.
Obama, a declared White Sox fan, even squeezed in a jab at the Cubs.
“Since I’ve been president, only one team has brought the world championship to my hometown of Chicago, and now the Blackhawks have done it twice,” Obama said. “Three years ago, the ‘Hawks won their first Stanley Cup in 49 years. Keep in mind the Cubs have been waiting for 105. So 49 might not have seemed so bad.”
