In the Loop - Afflicting official Washington since 1993

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/30/2011

CIA party’s no posh affair

By Al Kamen

Government belt-tightening claims another victim: the CIA holiday soiree.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 11/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:50 PM ET, 11/29/2011

Airlines trade group gets new name — you still pay for baggage

By Al Kamen

The Air Transport Association (ATA), the venerable trade group of the main U.S. airlines, is changing its name to “Airlines for America.”

By Al Kamen | 01:50 PM ET, 11/29/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:47 AM ET, 11/29/2011

Frank was parliamentary prodigy in college; a legend de-bunked (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

Morning roundup: Barney Frank was the Doogie Howser of procedure; a famous Washington tryst that wasn’t.

By Emily Heil | 10:47 AM ET, 11/29/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:12 AM ET, 11/28/2011

Barney Frank’s quips: He might be retiring, but his rhetoric never was

By Emily Heil

The acid-tongued congressman leaves a legacy of quick -witted quotes.

By Emily Heil | 11:12 AM ET, 11/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 11/28/2011

State Department gets ahead of itself

By Al Kamen

Agency releases news of past happenings that are yet to be.

By Al Kamen | 11:00 AM ET, 11/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:26 AM ET, 11/28/2011

Supremes play historians; plus, the origins of Romney’s luscious mane (read this roundup)

By Emily Heil

The Loop’s roundup finds the high court taking on Lewis and Clark, plus the origins of Mitt Romney’s lush mane revealed.

By Emily Heil | 10:26 AM ET, 11/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 11/23/2011

A very loopy Thanksgiving

By Emily Heil

In the Loop is taking a break for the holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!

By Emily Heil | 02:00 PM ET, 11/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 11/23/2011

Frank, Steele dispute ends (for now) with a thank-you note

By Emily Heil

The former RNC chair thanks Frank for setting the record straight.

By Emily Heil | 12:00 PM ET, 11/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:56 AM ET, 11/23/2011

Read-this roundup: Americans agree on turkey’s tastiness, if little else

By Emily Heil

By Emily Heil | 09:56 AM ET, 11/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/23/2011

Obama’s agency holiday parties go lite (no $16 muffins)

By Al Kamen

Holiday gatherings appear to be slimming down in this season of tough economic times.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 11/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:47 PM ET, 11/22/2011

Nixon veterans — Cheney, Rumsfeld, but not John Dean — recall old times

By Al Kamen

The old Nixon team holds a reunion in Washington.

By Al Kamen | 06:47 PM ET, 11/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:08 PM ET, 11/22/2011

Melody Barnes’ successor? Munoz and Reed in the mix

By Al Kamen

A few names are swirling around to succeed the departing top White House aide.

By Al Kamen | 03:08 PM ET, 11/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:29 PM ET, 11/22/2011

Nixon nails the turkey pardon

By Al Kamen

The Thanksgiving bird was subdued using extreme methods.

By Al Kamen | 01:29 PM ET, 11/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:16 PM ET, 11/22/2011

Biden’s book collection includes Cheney tome

By Emily Heil

Guess what’s on the veep’s reading list.

By Emily Heil | 12:16 PM ET, 11/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:07 AM ET, 11/22/2011

Mitt Romney’s polyester warning; good timing on an airline baggage bill (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

The GOP candidate once looked down on man-made fibers, two senators have good timing, and Clinton has a celebrity’s kid on staff in the Loop’s daily roundup.

By Emily Heil | 11:07 AM ET, 11/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:42 PM ET, 11/21/2011

Andrews campaign funds pay for boring-est high-school graduation party ever

By Emily Heil

Rep. Rob Andrews uses campaign coffers for family fun.

By Emily Heil | 03:42 PM ET, 11/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:14 PM ET, 11/21/2011

Senate gift rules get a holiday thaw

By Emily Heil

If you see a senator shaking down a Capitol Hill visitor for a gift, it’s probably not what you think.

By Emily Heil | 01:14 PM ET, 11/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:15 AM ET, 11/21/2011

Supercommittee’s backwards day, the Keyser Soze of the Romney campaign, and Clarence Thomas’ nickname (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

The Loop’s roundup looks at why failure is success, the Keyser Soze of campaigns, and Clarence Thomas’ childhood nickname revealed.

By Emily Heil | 10:15 AM ET, 11/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:14 PM ET, 11/18/2011

Congressional poet rhymes for a reason

By Emily Heil

The unofficial Bard of the House submits some new verse.

By Emily Heil | 12:14 PM ET, 11/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:37 AM ET, 11/18/2011

Pelosi: Colleagues say evening gown clip ‘sexist’ (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

The minority leader doesn’t say yes to the dress. Plus, why should we pity poor Newt?

By Emily Heil | 10:37 AM ET, 11/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/18/2011

Harry Reid’s pricey China trip

By Al Kamen

New Senate records now reveal how much a trip to China by 10 senators cost taxpayers.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 11/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:36 PM ET, 11/17/2011

Herman Cain’s Libya moment explained

By Al Kamen

It may be that Herman Cain’s inability to articulate an opinion on Obama’s Libya problem is that he’s gotten too much advice.

By Al Kamen | 12:36 PM ET, 11/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:31 AM ET, 11/17/2011

Obama as Zelig, and the newly Zen Newt (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

A Democratic pollster says the president is “everyone and no one.” Elsewhere, Newt gets a temper-makeover.

By Emily Heil | 10:31 AM ET, 11/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:52 PM ET, 11/16/2011

Don Young’s committee chic: he’s a beanie baby

By Emily Heil

The congressman kicks off a trend in congressional headwear.

By Emily Heil | 03:52 PM ET, 11/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:30 AM ET, 11/16/2011

Cabinet secretaries as bosses: Hillary Clinton’s tops

By Al Kamen

Who are the best Cabinet secretaries to work for?

By Al Kamen | 11:30 AM ET, 11/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:23 AM ET, 11/16/2011

Supercommittee schedule a threat to holiday shopping? (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

If your stocking is lighter than usual, blame Congress.

By Emily Heil | 10:23 AM ET, 11/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:21 PM ET, 11/15/2011

Congress and acronyms: A tortured love affair

By Emily Heil

Two bills this week highlight Washington’s love affair with the acronym.

By Emily Heil | 12:21 PM ET, 11/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:52 AM ET, 11/15/2011

Cain: just not that into you

By Emily Heil

The GOP candidate simply meets too many people to remember them all.

By Emily Heil | 10:52 AM ET, 11/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/15/2011

Baird: getting Congress to reject insider trading is no piece of cake (quote of the week)

By Emily Heil

A former congressman says that in Congress, pie is more popular than restraint.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 11/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Quote of the Week

Posted at 01:15 PM ET, 11/14/2011

Nixon comes through yet again

By Al Kamen

The latest Nixon texts and tapes are out, and scholars and Nixon-philes and -phobes are poring over the paper carcass.

By Al Kamen | 01:15 PM ET, 11/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:02 AM ET, 11/14/2011

Lincoln books best left to pros (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

O’Reilly’s book on Honest Abe isn’t so faithful to fact; Chuck Schumer and Elmo; and the SNL skit we saw coming.

By Emily Heil | 10:02 AM ET, 11/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/14/2011

Congressional fundraisers grab their guns

By Emily Heil

With hunting season on, lawmakers are putting small animals (and big dollars) in their crosshairs.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 11/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: RSVP

Posted at 10:30 AM ET, 11/11/2011

Read-this Roundup: Cain croons ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’; Perry’s gaffe explained

By Emily Heil

Herman Cain croons, and Rick Perry’s gaffe is explained.

By Emily Heil | 10:30 AM ET, 11/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/11/2011

Is Ray LaHood the new Grinch?

By Al Kamen

DOT’s Ray LaHood is pressing to meet a deadline during the holidays.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 11/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:30 PM ET, 11/10/2011

Obama’s signature phrase: What is it? What should it be? (loop contest!)

By Emily Heil

Time is running out for submissions to the Loop’s contest, in which we’re asking readers to identify which phrase will be President Obama’s signature.

By Emily Heil | 02:30 PM ET, 11/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Loop Contests

Posted at 12:30 PM ET, 11/10/2011

Obama’s swag-cut order won’t hurt . . . for now.

By Al Kamen

Most all agencies give out mountains of mouse pads, pens, pads, binder clips, stress balls, baseball caps, t-shirts, tote bags and such at meetings and conferences.

By Al Kamen | 12:30 PM ET, 11/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:56 AM ET, 11/10/2011

SNL writers may protest: this is too easy (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

Perry’s gaffe is comedy gold.

By Emily Heil | 11:56 AM ET, 11/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:15 AM ET, 11/10/2011

State Department evacuation drill is a fair-weather friend

By Emily Heil

The State Department waits for good weather to hold an emergency drill.

By Emily Heil | 11:15 AM ET, 11/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/10/2011

Senate to American people: Go to the zoo

By Emily Heil

The august body has a great idea for Americans.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 11/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 11/09/2011

EPA guilty of the ‘Friday news dump’ phenomenon

By Emily Heil

The agency knows just when to take out the trash.

By Emily Heil | 02:00 PM ET, 11/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:09 PM ET, 11/09/2011

Cain’s defense: a script we’ve heard before

By Emily Heil

Herman Cain is following a script written by Clinton, Weiner, Craig and others.

By Emily Heil | 12:09 PM ET, 11/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:47 AM ET, 11/09/2011

Fed swag no more, and J.Edgar Hoover as Norman Bates (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

Feds might swap cabs for walking shoes, and J.Edgar Hoover has much in common with Norman Bates.

By Emily Heil | 09:47 AM ET, 11/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/09/2011

The curse of the Cabinet

By Al Kamen

Mama, don’t let your babies grow up to be cabinet secretaries.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 11/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:29 PM ET, 11/08/2011

House committee seeks help from Above

By Al Kamen

There’s increasing angst on the Hill about whether the debt-reduction “supercommittee ” will come up with an acceptable plan for the nation’s debt problems.

By Al Kamen | 02:29 PM ET, 11/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:41 PM ET, 11/08/2011

Uncle Miltie hosts Gloria Allred and Sharon Bialek

By Al Kamen

Herman Cain’s accuser, Sharon Bialek, unveiled her allegation of unwanted sexual advances by the GOP presidential contender in a curious venue.

By Al Kamen | 12:41 PM ET, 11/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:41 AM ET, 11/08/2011

Read-this roundup: Italy’s economic yardstick: pasta; Congress’ smokers are safe

By Emily Heil

Italy invents a new measurement (hint: Hope you like pasta!) for economic success and other stories from our colleagues.

By Emily Heil | 09:41 AM ET, 11/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/08/2011

Kosher Senate fare no treif-ling matter

By Emily Heil

Senate eateries to offer kosher fare.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 11/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:40 PM ET, 11/07/2011

Cain accuser brings Capitol Hilton into the D.C. scandal fold

By Emily Heil

The Mayflower, the Vista, and the Jefferson have company.

By Emily Heil | 03:40 PM ET, 11/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:41 PM ET, 11/07/2011

Kagan, Ginsburg in supremely funny moment

By Robert Barnes

Justice Ginsburg cracks wise during today’s oral arguments.

By Robert Barnes | 01:41 PM ET, 11/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 11/07/2011

Washington’s dog days (RSVP)

By Emily Heil

Two events today celebrate a politician's only real friend.

By Emily Heil | 12:00 PM ET, 11/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:50 AM ET, 11/07/2011

Defense Secretary to-be? (Read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

Michele Flournoy, the Pentagon’s highest-ranking woman, almost took a much different path. Plus, other news from this morning.

By Emily Heil | 09:50 AM ET, 11/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/07/2011

Toilets no longer a threat, a relieved Congress hears

By Emily Heil

Johns no longer keep company with nukes, chemical weapons and guns.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 11/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 11/04/2011

McCaskill’s naughty tweet vs. the world (user poll)

By Emily Heil

Help us pick the week’s best line.

By Emily Heil | 09:00 AM ET, 11/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/04/2011

South Korea’s Lee wants the Hu treatment

By Al Kamen

South Koreans are miffed that Lee didn’t get the VIP treatment.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 11/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:13 PM ET, 11/03/2011

Quotes of the week: McCaskill’s naughty typo, Restaurant Association wants to ‘delight’ and Solis’s double-entendre

By Emily Heil

Herman Cain’s alma mater, the National Restaurant Association, aims to ‘delight.’

By Emily Heil | 03:13 PM ET, 11/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:05 PM ET, 11/03/2011

The State Department: Creating good American jobs

By Al Kamen

Federal agencies are rightly worried about their budget these days. The State Department has come up with what appears to be a winning strategy.

By Al Kamen | 12:05 PM ET, 11/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 11/03/2011

Obama’s quotes: Win those free T-shirts (Loop contest update)

By Emily Heil

Time’s ticking to win a coveted T-shirt.

By Emily Heil | 09:00 AM ET, 11/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/03/2011

White Castle birthday feted in Congress

By Emily Heil

The little burgers get a lot of love... from a congressman.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 11/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 11/02/2011

Cal Ripken to be our man in Japan

By Emily Heil

Cal Ripken, diplomat, heads overseas.

By Emily Heil | 02:00 PM ET, 11/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Travel and Leisure

Posted at 12:35 PM ET, 11/02/2011

House bores into Obama’s Africa troop deployment plan

By Al Kamen

IN THE LOOP | Just when you thought lawmakers had run out of new ways to waste everyone’s time.

By Al Kamen | 12:35 PM ET, 11/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 11/02/2011

GSA head’s stomach-stapling and the FDA’s scatological alert (quote of the week)

By Emily Heil

It’s only Wednesday, but loopy quotes are plentiful.

By Emily Heil | 09:00 AM ET, 11/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/02/2011

Senate classified briefing: can they be trusted not to spill the beans?

By Emily Heil

Faced with TV cameras, our elected leaders can’t be trusted not to disclose top-secret information.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 11/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:30 PM ET, 11/01/2011

Obama judge withdrawn, a slate of nominees, plus some embassy shuffles (Revolving Door)

By Emily Heil

The White House withdraws a judge and nominates a new slate of officials.

By Emily Heil | 02:30 PM ET, 11/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Revolving Door

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 11/01/2011

Interior Department’s idea of belt-tightening: skinny venti mochas

By Emily Heil

Despite shrinking budgets, the Interior Department debuts a fancy cafe.

By Emily Heil | 12:00 PM ET, 11/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 11/01/2011

Fed conferences are less exotic these days

By Al Kamen

The days of Fed conferences at resort locales are over.

By Al Kamen | 09:00 AM ET, 11/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/01/2011

DNC fundraising site kicks...er, posterior

By Emily Heil

IN THE LOOP | A Democratic Web site has a racy url.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 11/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:10 PM ET, 10/31/2011

House waves the red, white and blue (RSVP)

By Emily Heil

The House is waving the red, white and blue this week.

By Emily Heil | 02:10 PM ET, 10/31/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:10 PM ET, 10/31/2011

The supercommittee’s Halloween agenda

By Emily Heil

Sen. Patty Murray has a costume idea that can garner bipartisan support.

By Emily Heil | 12:10 PM ET, 10/31/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

In the Loop: November, 2011