December 2009
OCE SUGGESTS NO ACTION ON MURTHA, DICKS →
Best headline ever. The story, a little more boring: “The Office of Congressional Ethics is recommending against a formal House investigation of Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman John Murtha, D-Pa., and Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Wash., regarding their dealings with defunct lobbying firm PMA Group.”
“Really? Okay.”
– A “clearly shocked” Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), after Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) refused to grant him “an additional moment” to talk about health care on the Senate floor (“44”).
“I am unclear about how to use Drano. I can’t even begin to think about...”
– Meghan McCain, dumber than she looks. “I just put a half a bottle of Drano down it and the Drano is foaming and not going down .”
“You may like seeing me deliver the news, but I like seeing you perform, Shakira....”
– Wolf Blitzer, to Shakira.
“I guess health care will have to wait until we land.”
– Senator Chuck Schumer to Senator Kristin Gillibrand, after calling a flight attendant a “bitch” when she told him to shut off his cell phone.
“My opinion now is that it is yes.”
– House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
“Today, everybody agrees that the recession is over.”
– NEC dir. Larry Summers, “This Week,” ABC, 12/13.
“Of course not.”
– Council of Economic Advisers Chair Christina Romer, on whether the recession is over, “Meet the Press,” NBC, 12/13.
“They’re powerful, handsome, rich people, and they’re dead. And they...”
– MA state Sen./GOP SEN nominee Scott Brown, comparing himself to JFK Jr. and Princess Diana
“For those who are watching, this is perilously close to a debate on the floor of...”
– Senate Majority Whip Durbin, during an impromptu exchange today with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., on healthcare reform.
This Is Really Interesting
A survey of 33 Dems and 24 GOPers on National Journal’s Cong. Insiders panel; and 85 Dems and 88 GOPers on National Journal’s Political Insiders panel (12/12 issue).
Which Current Member Of Congress Has The Brightest Political Future?
-------DEMS------- -------GOPERS------- - Cong. Pol. Cong. Pol. D. Wass. Schultz 16% 8% K....
“Wow, that sounded really familiar. I talked, too, in my book about the fallen...”
– Sarah Palin (R), “praising” Pres. Obama’s speech in Oslo, USA Today, 12/11.
“Michele, we love you.”
– Sarah Palin, autographing Bachmann’s copy of Going Rogue
“I feel sorry I’m not Jewish sometimes.”
– Senator Orrin Hatch
Police: Amish man found drunk, asleep in moving... →
“That will not be my jobs strategy.”
– Obama’s response today in Allentown, Pa., after a criminology student asked him for his views on the possible legalization of prostitution, gambling and drugs.
“I always enjoy enjoyable reads.”
– Mitt Romney, on Sarah Palin’s book. “I look forward to reading it. I understand John McCain said it was an enjoyable read.”
“And I was the hooker? At least I kept my mouth shut.”
– Spitzer hooker Ashley Dupre, on Tiger Woods’ girlfriends
“No, man. No. I love women. I mean, they’re wonderful.”
– FL Gov. Charlie Crist (R), asked by Bubba the Love Sponge if he was “a homo” (“The Buzz”).
“Sarah Palin is a great friend to the bowling industry and we’re so proud...”
– Bowling Proprietors Assn of America exec. dir. Steven Johnson (“Huffington Post”).
“I am absolutely supportive of the timeline.”
– General Stanley McChrystal
“We, as a country, cannot sustain our leadership nor navigate the momentous...”
– Barack Obama, after laying out the Obama Doctrine
Shoe Thrown at Iraqi Shoe Thrower →
During a publicity event in Paris to promote his “campaign for the ‘victims of the US occupation in Iraq,’” an Iraqi man who defended the United States’ actions in Iraq threw his shoe at famed Iraqi shoe-throwing journalist Muntadhar al-Zeidi, who proved just as capable as Bush at dodging projectile footwear. The man, later identified as only “Khayat,” was...
“I basically don’t.”
– Dick Cheney, asked if he thinks the Bush administration bears any responsibility for the disintegration of Afghanistan because of the attention and resources that were diverted to Iraq. He did not elaborate.
“It’s a little bit like talking to my 6-year old.”
– Robert Gibbs, on trying to lead the press in the right direction on Obama’s Afghanistan plan