Explaining the reason for moving his family away from the nation's capital, Democratic strategist James Carville told Inside the Beltway that Washington had become "boring."
Now, well-known Washington political pollster and operative Frank Luntz has revealed that he is moving to Santa Monica, Calif., and becoming chairman emeritus of the Old Town Alexandria-based Luntz, Maslansky Strategic Research. He made the announcement in the company of numerous Washington politicians and other VIPs during his annual All-Star Baseball party at his McLean residence.
"What is Frank going to do in California?" one attendee whispered to David Bass, the firm's vice president and chief development officer.
"Surf," Mr. Bass joked. "Long board."
BENT ON IMPEACHING
One congressman and former presidential candidate remains intent on impeaching President Bush before January.
In referring an Article of Impeachment this week to the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich acknowledged "people ask me, don't we have more important things to do?"
Well, don't you?
"Think about this," said the Ohio Democrat. "This war [against terrorism] has cost us our constitutionally guaranteed civil liberties. Is there something more important?"
OBAMA FAN CLUB
Rep. Lamar Smith is blasting The Washington Post and the New York Times for their front-page treatment of the two presumptive presidential nominees, Democrat Sen. Barack Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain.
"The results may be of interest to voters who expect fair and objective reporting," said the Texas Republican.
From June 28 through July 14, he determined, "the papers wrote far more stories about Senator Obama than Senator McCain. And while most of the 15 articles about Senator Obama were positive, not a single one of the nine articles about Senator McCain was positive. That is a huge slant in favor of Senator Obama."
Mr. Smith emphasized that the media has a responsibility to provide "balanced coverage."
RUSSERT ROAD
A portion of U.S. Route 20A in Orchard Park, N.Y., will be renamed the "Timothy J. Russert Highway" under a bill approved by Congress this week.
The road leads to the Buffalo Bills' Ralph Wilson Stadium, home of the broadcast journalist's beloved football team. The NBC "Meet the Press" host, who grew up in South Buffalo, died June 13.
CLEAR THE HALLS
Capitol Hill hall monitors are issuing written citations to members of Congress for honoring the memory of fallen soldiers from their home states and districts.
"That's right, Republicans and Democrats all over the Hill are getting busted," reveals Republican Rep. Ted Poe of Texas. "The dastardly offense was paying tribute to American warriors by placing a poster outside the office with photos of our troops killed in Iraq or Afghanistan."
Mr. Poe, like others, got cited for having a sign-in table and easel with a poster in the hallway. He himself was granted 30 days to comply with the new hallway policy or he will be in violation of the new edict.
"While we are still in the transition period we are bringing this issue to your attention in order to provide you with the opportunity to bring your office into compliance," the citation reads. "The policy will be in full force and effect on August 2, 2008, and after that date all items that violate the hallway policy will be removed."
The Architect of the Capitol argues that during an emergency evacuation items placed in the extra-wide hallways of the congressional office buildings interfere with the safe exit of members, staff, and visitors.
But Mr. Poe counters that the new rule violates the first amendment of free speech and freedom of expression, and he is now threatening to push for passage of a law to keep such tributes on display.
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