Al Kamen's In the Loop column reports on the latest comings and goings in official Washington,from White House personnel to lobbyists to members of Congress.
washingtonpost.com - Al Kamen's In The Loop Column
No plans for Memorial Day? Then hurry: Seats are still available for one of the best, not-to-be-missed congressional delegations of the spring season -- featuring a night at the opera -- "Tosca," of course -- in Venice!
President Bush has been ridiculed and chastised in the liberal blogosphere for saying he gave up golf to show solidarity with the troops fighting in Iraq.
The presidential campaign strategies these days are clear. For the Democrats, it's time to stop the bickering and rally round Barack Obama, who dominates the Democratic National Committee's Web site.
Quote of the Week: The winner, despite intense competition, is senior International Olympic Committee official Arne Ljungqvist, who said the deadly air pollution in Beijing is "mist," not a "major risk" and blamed the media for hyping the non-problem.
Attention, Hill staffers: Washington summer getting to you? Thinking about how your boss has never taken you on a congressional delegation junket overseas? Beat the heat and conquer that lingering resentment! Sign up now for a fabulous staff delegation (staffdel) trip to lovely Copenhagen, Denmark, courtesy of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Doesn't appear that Office of Special Counsel chief Scott J. Bloch, steadfast protector of government whistle-blowers and staunch guardian against political activity in the federal workplace, is going to be leaving office anytime soon.
Many Americans worry these days about the state of the economy. Some are concerned about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Still others fret about environmental matters.
-- Sky Mobile: In addition to a few other exec departures, BSkyB ( NYSE: BSY) is losing its head of mobile, Tim Satchell, who is going to pursue his own business interests, NMA reports. Satchell had been 365's mobile head prior to its acquisition by BSkyB and launched the football goal flash mobile service.More at PCUK?
There may have been some hints of progress to report from the annual Asia-Pacific security meeting this week in Singapore. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met "informally" with her North Korean counterpart during the 27-country regional forum. More talks, at the foreign minister level, are scheduled among the key players working on the North Korean nukes problem.
Sometimes even the most altruistic notions come to naught. Take the nifty idea of Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) to help the neediest of the needy: the 230,000 refugees in Chad who have fled the slaughter in Darfur and are desperately in need of food.
The country's looking for independence from foreign oil. Lawmakers are listening to ethanol promoters tout the value of plant-based fuels -- corn or switch grass or sugar cane -- as an alternative.
B arbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, asked Vice President Cheney on Nov. 1 for documents on the White House's reported watering down of testimony by the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about global warming's harmful effects on public health.
Washingtonians are slowly drifting back into town this week, chatting about where they went for a break from the elite East Coast establishment. Many just vacation at nearby beaches -- Ocean City, Duck, etc. Others get a chance to go to niftier venues.
Surprised by John McCain's pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate? Thought Barack Obama might pick Hillary? Well, Loop Fans called both choices. Yes, we're proud to announce the winners of the In the Loop "Pick the Veep" contests.
HOUSTON (Reuters) - The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port said it was stopping all operations Sunday morning, including supplying refineries from onshore storage caverns, in order to evacuate employees Sunday afternoon ahead of Hurricane Gustav, a spokeswoman said.
The conventions are over. The battle is joined. And Loop Fans know what that means. Yes, it's time for In the Loop's quadrennial Pick the President Contest.
P resident Bush yesterday toured parts of Texas devastated by Hurricane Ike, saying that government at all levels is working hard to mitigate the effects of a storm that Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff warned last week could present a "worst-case scenario."
We were expecting a deluge of calls yesterday from people seeking tips on how to land jobs at the hottest agency in the federal government: the Interior Department's Minerals Management Service office in Lakewood, Colo.
Republicans, Democrats and outside watchdogs are resigned to the fact that a Loop favorite, that quirky Office of Special Counsel chief Scott J. Bloch, is not going to heed their calls for his resignation before the end of his term, which he says is Jan. 5.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen L. Johnson is doing his best Road Runner impersonation as he is pursued relentlessly by the Senate Environment and Public Works chairman, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.). Boxer has been after Johnson since March to come to the Hill to answer a few friendly questions about his policies on the Clean Air Act and global warming.