Book contends Fey, Couric brought down Sarah Palin

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/05/09 11:00 PM

When Tina Fey uttered those infamous words "I can see Russia from my house" on "Saturday Night Live," the caricature of Sarah Palin was forever burned in viewers' brains.

That imitation and one "lousy interview" with Katie Couric helped riddle the vice presidential candidate's chances of being taken seriously by some constituencies, argues the Weekly Standard's Matthew Continetti, whose new book, "The Persecution of Sarah Palin: How the Media Tried to Bring Down a Rising Star," comes out next week.

"I think they were damaging," he told Yeas & Nays. "People who watched 'Saturday Night Live,' they are not people who spend that much time thinking about politics otherwise."

Continetti's book, which comes out alongside Palin's tome and several other Palin-inspired books, directly examines Palin's treatment in the media and addresses some of the misconceptions that still plague the former governor of Alaska.

"I don't think anyone watching her election last year was ready for the assault that was launched against her," he said, adding that the McCain campaign seriously bungled Palin's media strategy by giving out long, exclusive interviews with journalists like Couric and corralling the governor away from everybody else. "Palin said she was angry at Couric, she didn't like her personally," Continetti said,...

Speakeasy

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/05/09 11:00 PM

"You're the White House. Pick on someone your own size ... focus on finding Bin Laden."

- Republican strategist and pollster Kellyanne Conway on the White House's war on Fox News

Sightings: Jon Voight comes to protest health care reform bill

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/05/09 11:00 PM

Spotted on the West Lawn of the Capitol before thousands of protesters chanting "Kill the bill" and "Can you hear us now?": Academy Award winner Jon Voight with actor John Ratzenberger, best known for his role of Cliff Clavin on "Cheers."

Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., who organized Thursday's "House Call on Congress" against the health care reform bill referred to Voight as "a true national treasure," playing on his role in "National Treasure: Book of Secrets."

A prominent conservative in Hollywood, Voight said, "Obama has his own obsession to ram this health care bill through Congress and to turn America into a socialist country."

Savory victory: New York senators will chomp cheesesteaks

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/05/09 11:00 PM

Thanks to the New York Yankees and Wednesday night's big win, two lucky senators soon will enjoy delicious Cheez Whiz-filled cheesesteaks straight from Philadelphia.

New York Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand won their World Series bet against Pennsylvania Sens. Bob Casey and Arlen Specter. The pairs bet Philadelphia cheesesteaks and New York cheesecakes on the outcome of the games.

To further rub salt in the wound, Schumer and Gillibrand introduced a resolution Thursday to honor the team that has the most wins on record of any major league sports franchise.

Take that, Philadelphia.

Another round: Post staffer says he never implied homophobia

By: Tara Palmeri
11/05/09 11:00 PM

Oh, no, he didn't.

As if the great Washington Post punch of 2009 didn't get enough attention, someone had to bring up homophobia, or at least hint at it.

Postie Hank Steuver penned a blog post Wednesday pondering why the term "c---sucker" set longtime Style editor Henry Allen off so much that he bopped fellow staffer Manuel Roig-Franzia in the face.



"I would someday like to ask Henry if it was the insulting delivery of the word, or the subtext of gayness that the word implies that angers him most?" Steuver wrote.

His thoughts soon got picked up by Gawker, which jabbed Steuver for raising the issue of "homosexual hatred."

Now Steuver, who is openly gay, is trying to clear the air.

"I, in no way, think Henry is a homophobe," the Post reporter told Yeas & Nays. "I just wonder why straight men say that to straight men," he added.

He said he wrote the blog post because he was interested in the language of Friday's newsroom argument at Post, which pitted Allen and Roig-Franzia against each other, and got so much media attention that it warranted a video re-enactment from the Washington City Paper's staff.

"It's more of a semantics thing," he continued.

Steuver has spent "nine wonderful years" under Allen's editorship and told Yeas & Nays that he even e-mailed the retiring editor last weekend to check up on him afte...

Sightings: Kal Penn, Ed Norton at Coming Up Taller awards

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/04/09 11:00 PM

Kalpen Modi, better known as the actor Kal Penn, made headlines when he ditched Hollywood for Washington, but since arriving in the District he's only been the public face of the White House sporadically.

Tuesday night, however, he appeared at the Kennedy Center to cheer on winners of the Coming Up Taller awards, given to successful community arts programs.

"How am I supposed to follow that?" Modi joked as he took the stage after a performance from the African drum ensemble, "Express Yourself," which received an award.

Modi said he was there to reiterate the President and first lady's support for the arts, and gave an anecdote about how arts education in his public school helped him to become a star.

Also on hand: actor Ed Norton, who was spotted happily clapping to the African drumbeats.

By the numbers

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/04/09 11:00 PM

Compared with hefty turnout last year, voters between the ages of 18 to 29 played a diminished role in New Jersey and Virginia's gubernatorial elections this year. That's to be expected in off-year elections, but Rock the Vote President Heather Smith still says that candidates didn't do enough to bring out young voters.

"Candidates interested in securing the votes and support of young Americans must target youth in an intentional, visible, and effective manner," Smith said.

Here's the comparison:

53

The percentage of young voters in New Jersey who voted in the 2008 presidential election.

19

The percentage of young voters in New Jersey who showed up Tuesday.

59

The percentage of Virginia's young voters who showed up to vote Nov. 4, 2008.

17

The percentage of young voters in Virginia who voted Tuesday.

Bravo in D.C. to recruit 'Top Chef' contestants

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/04/09 11:00 PM

It's too early to know if Washington will get to host Season 7 of the Bravo reality TV show "Top Chef," but the show's production company is at least scouting the District for talent.

On Wednesday, culinary hopefuls gathered at the Occidental Grill & Seafood restaurant at the Willard Hotel to participate in roundtable talks with producers.

"We tell them to leave their knives at home," said casting producer Donna Lee.

Apparently, the cooking comes later. The meet and greet brought out hopefuls from Maryland, West Virginia and even Idaho.

Adam Hegsted of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, told Yeas & Nays he hoped to use the show to talk about sustainable cooking.

"I think to just be a cheerleader for it, it's a good platform," he said.

Another prospective reality star, Melissa Fordham of Westminster, Md., said she wanted to show off her unique cooking style.

"I like to take some classic Eastern Shore food and twist it up and get it a little more modern and gourmet," she said.

And while D.C.'s casting call drew prospective chefs from several hours away, representation from the District was a little lacking. May we suggest a White House chef?

"If a White House chef would like to apply, we'd love to have them," Lee said. "I wonder if they are fans of the show?"

Speakeasy

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/04/09 11:00 PM

"Winning is a lot sweeter, and if you didn't think last night was sweet, then you need to go see a doctor."

- Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele on Tuesday's elections

Republicans party on until 2010

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/04/09 8:00 PM

While some of the city's Democrats were looking back to 2008 at the screening of HBO documentary "We the People," Republicans were basking in their moment.

At the ESPN Zone on Tuesday night, the energy at the Republican Governors Association election party was palpable and totally different than last year's mood.

A crowd filled with Hill staffers, RGA staff and big donors, along with conservative activists and House Minority Leader John Boehner, celebrated in what some described as "a landslide" because of the Republican victories in Virginia and New Jersey.

The night hit a high point when New Jersey Republican Chris Christie's win was announced, with giddy staffers bouncing like cheerleaders to the results. But overall most were impressed by an appearance by RGA chairman and rumored vice presidential hopeful Haley Barbour.

Barbour offered this comparison: For 2010 to be like 1994, you need 2009 to be like 1993 -- encouraged by gains in governorship, senatorial and mayoral elections in 1993, the GOP took back the House and Senate in the Republican revolution the next year.

"Why are people giving us enough money to move over $6 million of RGA money in Virginia and $7 million in New Jersey?" Barbour rallied. "Because they know that the policies pursued by the Obama administration is bad for America."

Republican strategist Matt Mackowiak of Potoma...

Point and click: Bloggers digging dirt on Obama adviser Jarrett

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/03/09 11:00 PM

Now, who said the GOP didn't have an online presence?

Sure, the Republic National Committee's Web site pushes all the kitschy elements of a choreographed social networking strategy with its YouTube, Facebook and Twitter links to target that coveted 18-to-40 crowd, but maybe the party's grass-roots core has an agenda of its own.

Fresh off the victory of the recently resigned Obama administration Special Adviser for Green Jobs Van Jones, conservative bloggers have set their sights on another of President Obama's longtime pals.

"I'm not sure what set it off," said Adam Bitely, executive director of NetRightNation.com, "but I do know that the rumblings in the blogosphere tell me that Valerie Jarrett is fast becoming a liability."

Bitely, who monitors the Web site's daily publication "Overnights," noticed in late October bloggers began prodding at Jarrett, who is Obama's senior adviser and assistant for public engagement and intergovernmental affairs.

According a statement released by the organization, StopJarrett.com has drawn record hits for NetRightNation.

And Jarrett's recent appearances on the Sunday talk show circuit have fueled the underground resentment.

This past Sunday, Jarrett fired back at ABC's "This Week" host George Stephanopoulos when he asked her about the partisan divide on President Obama's proposals to Congress.

"Well, you sho...

Spiritual healing: Author Chopra weighs in on health care reform

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/03/09 11:00 PM

When spiritualist and best-selling author Deepak Chopra talks health care reform, he doesn't use Washington words like "public option" and "pre-existing condition."

Instead he shows concern for unnecessary surgeries and prescription drug addiction, something that plagued his close friend, fallen pop star Michael Jackson.

"I guess in Washington one of the hardest topics of discussion is health care reform," Chopra said Monday night. "And nobody is actually talking about health care reform, we are talking about health care insurance reform."

Chopra spent Monday at an intimate dinner at K Street favorite Teatro Goldoni with journalists -- including Posties Ben Bradlee and Sally Quinn -- where he shared lessons learned from his 59th book, "Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul: How To Create a New You." And because this is Washington, he also gave his prescription on how the government could help improve the medical community.

"I think we need to have physicians that are employed by the government who are ethical, who know the facts and who can police the medical profession," Chopra said. "Unless that's done from within the medical profession, it won't happen," he added.

Chopra came to hold this view, in part, because he was deeply disturbed by what happened to Jackson. He condemned enabling doctors in Hollywood...

Speakeasy

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/03/09 11:00 PM

"Yes, I do have very BIGGG THINGS !!! for all you that keep asking me ...#@!"

- Levi Johnston, via Twitter to fans begging for details on his upcoming Playgirl photo spread

By the numbers

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/03/09 11:00 PM

As they waited for election returns one year ago, Barack Obama and John McCain each prepared to give a speech. One would deliver an acceptance, the other a concession speech. Here's how it played out:

1,972

The number of words in Obama's acceptance speech

1,207

The number of words in McCain's concession speech

Payin' the bills: Clinton name drops for cash

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/03/09 11:00 PM

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton long has been out of the White House race, but she's still dropping names. Literally.

To make back the campaign cash she spent in 2008, Clinton has resorted to the Washington way of making a buck -- sell your Rolodex.

The New York Daily News reports Clinton has made more than $3.5 million in the past year by selling access to her donor database, according to a review of federal campaign documents.

So, who's tapped into Clinton's list so far? The Democratic Party, advocacy groups, fundraising firms and Senate replacement Kristen Gillibrand, along with former colleague Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

Although Clinton isn't afraid to sell her donors out to some unwanted solicitation, so far President Obama is playing it cool (as always) and keeping his names on reserve.

Fit is it: First lady says healthy living isn't just for kids anymore

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/02/09 11:00 PM

First lady Michelle Obama has tackled school lunches, snuck healthy treats in with the Halloween candy and told kids time and time again to eat those vegetables. And it seems her message has trickled up to adults, too.

Feeling inspired by the Obamas, celebrity chef Art Smith told Yeas & Nays that he decided to go on a diet, and now slimmer and trimmer, the cook who was Oprah Winfrey's personal chef for a decade, has lost 52 pounds.

"The first lady hugged me and said, 'whatever you're doing, keep doing it,' " Smith said. "That was really sweet."

Smith, who was working in Chicago for Winfrey, has known the Obamas for several years.

"One thing I've always noted and admired about them is their consciousness about health," he noted. "Both of them, even before he was president, have been extremely careful about what they eat."

And Smith sometimes drops by the White House to whip up a meal. He said one of the greatest lessons he learned from Michelle Obama is on dessert.

"One of the things the first lady said was that, 'my children don't get dessert every night, my mother taught me that dessert is a treat,' " Smith recalled.

As part of his diet, Smith chooses to only consume dessert once a week, though he occasionally skips wine at meals so he can have something sweet instead. He's also pairing his eating with more exercise, again looking...

Election 2.0: Web site seeks 100,000 supporters for independent

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/02/09 11:00 PM

Attention third party candidates: Here's an online strategy you might want to try.

A supporter of New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Chris Daggett has created DaggettPledge.com to try to get 100,000 people signed up to support the independent candidate who is running against Republican Chris Christie and Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine. If -- and only if -- 100,000 people sign up, then they should vote for Daggett.

What's fresh about this approach?

Micah Sifry, of the blog Tech President, explained that it's conditional.

"So everybody jumps in the water together," Sifry said.

Also, people are less nervous about supporting an underdog. So far more than 66,000 have committed.

Daggett spokesman Tom Johnson said they appreciate the support, but the pledge is not affiliated with the campaign.

By the Numbers

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/02/09 11:00 PM

Republicans hope to take away the Democrats' electoral momentum Tuesday by winning off-year gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia. In the last election in 2005, Democrats kept both of these governors'

mansions blue. Here is how they fared:

51.72

The percent of the vote Democrat Tim Kaine earned in his victory over Republican Jerry Kilgore. Sitting Democratic Gov. Mark Warner was unable to run again because of term limits.

53.47

The percent of the vote Democrat Jon Corzine earned in his victory over Republican Doug Forrester. Then-Sen. Corzine stepped in to run when acting Gov. Richard Cody decided not to run. Cody took over for scandal-plagued Gov. Jim McGreevey.

Big screen: HBO documentary on Obama 'By the People' debuts

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/02/09 11:00 PM

Fired up! Ready to go!

It's been a year since the election of President Obama, so it's as good a time as any for HBO to debut its documentary "By the People: The Election of Barack Obama."

While HBO subscribers can watch the film from their couches Tuesday night, a private screening is planned here in Washington that will bring Ed Norton into town and administration figures to the theater. Norton served as a producer on the documentary and helped filmmakers Amy Rice and Alicia Sams get access to then-Sen. Obama.

Filming started a year before Obama announced his intention to be president.

Oh, snap: The punch heard 'round the town

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/02/09 11:00 PM

Tensions were high Friday in The Washington Post newsroom after feature editor Henry Allen punched Style writer Manuel Roig-Franzia in the face.

Seriously.

D.C. blogs are reporting that Allen was fretting over a "charticle" (article + chart) that was to appear in the Style section and griped at its authors. In defense of the writers, Roig-Franzia got involved and gave Allen this advice: "Henry, don't be such a c -er."

Allen then gave Roig-Franzia a response with his fist. Since first reported by the blog Fishbowl DC, the Post has gone on a PR blitz, giving inquiring journalists and bloggers this statement: "I can't discuss private personnel matters but that doesn't mean we haven't taken this incident seriously and addressed it appropriately," communications director Kris Coratti told Yeas & Nays.

Though, it sounds to us that Allen felt (with his knuckles) that the incident already was appropriately addressed.

But will Post ombudsman Andrew Alexander or media critic Howard Kurtz weigh in on the punch?

"Not that I know of right now," Coratti said.

Gosselin circus could be coming to town

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
10/29/09 11:00 PM

As if Washington weren't already inundated with reality TV show drama, there's another reality show circus that could be coming to town, and this one's sure to be a train wreck.

Jon Gosselin of TV's "Jon & Kate Plus 8" was recently sued by TLC, which is owned by the Discovery Channel. Lucky for us, Discovery Talent Services is headquartered in Silver Spring, meaning that the legal proceedings are going to play out in Montgomery County.

Discovery has requested a jury trial and is suing Gosselin for breach of contract after Gosselin began making appearances on other TV shows, like "Entertainment Tonight," and talking about his and Kate's problems in the press -- something he was only supposed to do if he received Discovery's written consent.

Yeas & Nays talked to legal expert Greg Grant, who's co-chairman of the Business Litigation and Employment Litigation groups at Shulman Rogers, based in Potomac. Grant is not affiliated with the Gosselin-Discovery case, but gave us the legal lowdown.

"Like with any of these cases they all could end in a lot of different ways," Grant said. "This could be one of these protracted, uglier cases."

The question involved in the case is fairly easy: Did Gosselin breach his contract with Discovery by soaking up every minute of his 15 minutes of fame? But Grant believes Gosselin would try to make it more about his family and his children and toy wit...

By the Numbers: Cheating starts early

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
10/29/09 11:00 PM

If you cheated in high school, you're far more likely to lie to your spouse, customers and employers, and cheat on expense reports and insurance claims, a new study reveals.

Here are some numbers:

44

The percentage of people who said they have made illegal copies of music or videos and also admitted to cheating in high school

35

The percentage of people who admitted to cheating in high school and also admitted to lying to their significant other about something significant

13

The percentage of people who admitted to cheating in high school and also have lied on a resume

Percent of workers surveyed who believed one has to lie or cheat to succeed in their occupation:

23 percent: Sales associates

22 percent: Journalists

20 percent: Lawyers

Source: Study on high school character and adult conduct released Thursday by the Josephson Institute

Sightings

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
10/29/09 11:00 PM

California was well-represented in Washington on Thursday.

Former Miss California USA Carrie Prejean stopped by book publisher Regnery to prepare for the barrage of interviews expected upon the release of her book "Still Standing."

Our spies also caught Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger lunching at Clyde's in Georgetown.

First gardener: Obama shows off the fruits (or vegetables) of her labor

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
10/29/09 11:00 PM

Michelle Obama had a sweet spot for her sweet potatoes as she and local schoolchildren harvested wheelbarrows full of fall crops from the White House Kitchen Garden.

"Now this is a sweet potato," she said Thursday, holding up one that easily was bigger than a guinea pig.

Obama and her fifth-grade helpers from Bancroft and Kimball elementary schools pulled up carrots, dug up fennel and piled up the giant sweet potatoes all to be donated to Miriam's Kitchen, a local food shelter. The White House Kitchen Garden has produced more than 740 pounds of foods since it was planted in March, something the first lady touted with pride.

"So for less than $200, we have planted enough food to feed not just the folks at the White House, but we've also given a lot of food to some of our neighbors," she added.

She used the harvest as a teachable moment to get the kids to promise to eat vegetables, though still rewarded them for their efforts with a batch of oatmeal and cherry cookies.

Now, with the fall veggies out of the way, we're told winter crops are being planned, including spinach, broccoli and assorted greens.

Speakeasy

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
10/28/09 11:00 PM

"I am surprised that this issue takes precedence over the Patriot Act; that needs to be addressed before it runs out."

- Rep. Dan Lungren, R-Calif., questioning why Congress was holding a hearing on the Patriots and other NFL teams and head injuries