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» Ohlendorf spending offseason as intern

WASHINGTON — An e-mail requesting an internship arrived at the Agriculture Department this summer with an impressive resume: Princeton University degree in operations research and financial engineering, 3.8 college GPA, 1520 SATs. Ross Ohlendorf didn’t mention his 95 mph sinking fastball, but it probably wouldn’t have hurt his chances. Department officials were impressed that the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher wanted to work for them in the offseason.

Drudge: “Obama leaves WH clutching GQ mag — featuring himself…”

“ Shakira’s new album is ‘She Wolf.’ With that title, shouldn’t I invite her to join me in The SitRoom? She Wolf and He Wolf.

— Wolf Blitzer

» Like Hell I'm Going To Let Some Black President Help Me Pay For Dialysis

You know, I don’t recall asking for some black commander in chief to embrace protections that would prohibit insurance companies from dropping my coverage on a whim and operating as if my continued existence on earth were nothing more than a strategic liability. Plus, if I go along with this progressive health-benefits scheme, he’ll probably hold it over my head every time I receive vital care with the aid of the government to which I already pay taxes.

“ All right, I’m just teasing you.

— FNC’s Van Susteren, to ex-AK Gov. Sarah Palin (R), after asking Palin what she reads, “On the Record,” FNC, 11/23.

» The Healthcare Article Rahm Demanded Staffers Read

This makes the case for the Reid proposal, which will probably be a lot what the final version of health care reform looks like, with two key potential exceptions (the public option and something like the Stupak amendment). Though it will suck to have to swallow either of those pills to get a bill through, it’s clear that we need to pass something politically, and this article makes the case that the key reforms will be included even if we totally give up on both of those points.

“ The bill passed by the House is 319,145 words. The Senate bill is 318,512 words, shorter than the House version despite consuming more paper. Various versions of Tolstoy’s novel are 560,000 to 670,000 words. Bush’s education act tallied more than 280,000 words.

— The AP, busting the GOP’s balls

At an event in DC today promoting science education, Obama “inspected the Cougar Cannon,” a device designed to “scoop up and toss moon rocks” that took students “six weeks” to build (pool report).

“ I don’t understand why the Democratic Party would be opposed to me.

— Michele Bachmann

Maintenance man David Lee of Arvada, Colo., puts the finishing touches on a sign featuring drawings of President Barack Obama for a sales lot for pre-owned vehicles along Interstate 70 in the northwest Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

CNN’s Larry King apparently celebrated his birthday with Ryan Seacrest and Don Johnson 11/19, wearing a “small red hat” to go along with the “old Western” theme (“Best Week Ever”).

LOO FA

“ I meet with the gays here and there. They were in my house two weeks ago. I don’t mind gays. But I don’t want ‘em stuffing it down my throat all the time. Certainly not in my kid’s face.

— Utah State Sen. Chris Buttars (R), on the gays

» Snyder County farm supplies Christmas tree to Bidens

MIDDLEBURG [PA] — To Vice President Joe Biden, a Middleburg-grown Fraser fir will be the perfect Christmas tree for his home this holiday season. On Monday, farm owners Richard and Mary McClellan and their son, David, will strap the tree to the top of their minivan and head to Washington, D.C. The tree will be delivered right to the Biden family’s doorstep