In the Loop - Afflicting official Washington since 1993

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 12/23/2011

Dictator Obiang collects an award once given to Clinton, Bush

By Emily Heil

Equatorial Guinea “President” Teodoro Obiang Nguema drops by to to pick up a prestigious award — never mind those pesky accusations of corruption.

By Emily Heil | 09:00 AM ET, 12/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:36 PM ET, 12/22/2011

A very Rangel holiday

By Emily Heil

Count the Charlies in the Rep. Rangel’s holiday card.

By Emily Heil | 05:36 PM ET, 12/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:49 PM ET, 12/22/2011

Terrorist calendars for the hard-to-please on your holiday list

By Al Kamen

For the last-minute shoppers, there’s a coveted calendar featuring the most-wanted terrorists.

By Al Kamen | 03:49 PM ET, 12/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:35 AM ET, 12/22/2011

Boehner, lawmakers to travel to Brazil, Colombia, Mexico

By Al Kamen

The speaker is taking a group of colleagues on a January jaunt to Brazil and Mexico.

By Al Kamen | 11:35 AM ET, 12/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Travel and Leisure

Posted at 10:34 AM ET, 12/22/2011

Ethics rules mean small is the new big; Newt and Mitt take it outside; and Bo Obama’s getting a better gift than you are (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

In today’s Loop roundup, we learn why tiny food is huge this year, why Newt and Mitt need to take it outside; and why Bo Obama’s getting a better Christmas gift than you are.

By Emily Heil | 10:34 AM ET, 12/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:28 PM ET, 12/21/2011

Biggest political scandal of 2011? Weiner’s the winner!

By Emily Heil

We wonder whether former representative Anthony Weiner would find any consolation in the fact that even though his political career’s toast, he’s still a winner ... of the Loop’s title of biggest political scandal of 2011.

By Emily Heil | 12:28 PM ET, 12/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Loop Contests

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

Robo-calls for Hillary; Congress = Bill Murray; and Trump gets a boost (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

In today’s Loop roundup, mysterious robo-calls for Hillary Clinton prompt conspiracy theories; Congress is compared to a Bill Murray flick; and Donald Trump is getting more likeable.

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

Posted at 11:15 AM ET, 12/20/2011

No crocodile tears in N. Korea; Obama beats ‘Glee’; and House GOP’s muse: Mel Gibson (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

In Tuesday’s Loop roundup, North Koreans cry real tears; Obama beats out “Glee”; and House Republicans seek inspiration from a Mel Gibson flick.

By Emily Heil | 11:15 AM ET, 12/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 12/20/2011

Spending bill bars the czars

By Emily Heil

Congress defunds White House policy “czars”... again.

By Emily Heil | 09:00 AM ET, 12/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:01 AM ET, 12/20/2011

Romney’s got the most presidential family tree

By Emily Heil

The White House is in the genes for Mitt Romney: Ancestry.com says he’s related to six former commanders-in-chief.

By Emily Heil | 12:01 AM ET, 12/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:42 PM ET, 12/19/2011

Enviros, clean-coal advocates make strange bedfellows

By Emily Heil

Two associations on opposite sides of political issues find themselves sharing office space.

By Emily Heil | 12:42 PM ET, 12/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:50 AM ET, 12/19/2011

Payroll tax squabble endangers eggnog; Christians still heart Huckabee; Ginsburg’s a lousy cook (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

In today’s Loop roundup, the showdown on Capitol Hill might bite into holiday plans, evangelicals are nostalgic for Huckabee, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s a lousy cook.

By Emily Heil | 10:50 AM ET, 12/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:22 PM ET, 12/16/2011

House GOP’s priorities: They’re still working on it

By Emily Heil

Republicans in the House have left some primo legislative real estate curiously vacant.

By Emily Heil | 03:22 PM ET, 12/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:23 PM ET, 12/16/2011

Jason Chaffetz likes nerds, while Barney Frank suffers more slings and arrows (quote of the week)

By Emily Heil

Rep. Jason Chaffetz says bring on the nerds, while Rep. Barney Frank explains his sling.

By Emily Heil | 12:23 PM ET, 12/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Quote of the Week

Posted at 10:49 AM ET, 12/16/2011

Twitter flap at a congressional hearing; non-metaphorical treasure; and Haley’s poor vision (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee doesn’t like a staffer’s tweet, lobbyists fight over (actual) treasure, and Nikki Haley couldn’t see Russia from her house--all in the Loop’s morning roundup.

By Emily Heil | 10:49 AM ET, 12/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:56 PM ET, 12/15/2011

Aponte nomination: It’s all about Rubio

By Al Kamen

The State Department and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) were in intense and fluid negotiations on an agreement addressing Rubio’s concerns that Washington adopt a more forceful line toward Nicaragua and Cuba.

By Al Kamen | 05:56 PM ET, 12/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:50 PM ET, 12/15/2011

The Merry Wives of Gingrich? A reference to ‘three wives’ draws laughs

By Emily Heil

In the “Callista’s Canvas” section of the Gingrich campaign Web site, there’s an odd headline. “A Tale of Three Wives,” it reads

By Emily Heil | 04:50 PM ET, 12/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:40 PM ET, 12/15/2011

Obalmulke or yarMITTkah?

By Emily Heil

There’s a kippe for every political type on your Hannukah list.

By Emily Heil | 03:40 PM ET, 12/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:24 PM ET, 12/15/2011

Political betting: Romney’s the odds man out

By Emily Heil

Bookies are handicapping the GOP race, and Romney’s odds are sinking.

By Emily Heil | 12:24 PM ET, 12/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:52 AM ET, 12/15/2011

Shutdown fever strikes again; Newt’s historian story gets checked (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

Federal workers know the drill by now for dealing with impeding government shutdowns; and Newt’s historian story gets fact-checked — in the Loop’s morning roundup.

By Emily Heil | 10:52 AM ET, 12/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:36 AM ET, 12/14/2011

Marco Rubio under fire for filibuster of Aponte nomination

By Al Kamen

The Obama administration and Senate Democrats fell 11 votes short of the 60 needed to bring the nomination to a vote. Latinos singled out Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) for blame.

By Al Kamen | 11:36 AM ET, 12/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:39 AM ET, 12/14/2011

Seychelles offer lawmakers facts, beaches; Reid says bah-humbug (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

The Seychelles offer public officials both beaches and facts to find; Gingrich’s favorite dinosaur revealed; and Harry Reid plays Scrooge — all in the Loop’s daily roundup.

By Emily Heil | 10:39 AM ET, 12/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 12/14/2011

GOP freshmen fish for dollars at ritzy retreat

By Al Kamen

A group of Republican freshman are holding a weekend fundraiser at a posh Florida resort.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 12/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Travel and Leisure

Posted at 01:15 PM ET, 12/13/2011

Political gifts: The Loop’s holiday guide

By Emily Heil

There’s something for political junkies of every stripe in the Loop’s annual holiday gift guide.

By Emily Heil | 01:15 PM ET, 12/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:52 AM ET, 12/13/2011

GOP debates as sitcoms; Bachmann likes Bachman-Turner Overdrive; and pols buying porn (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

Audience members napped during last night’s debate; Bachmann has a favorite weapon; and pols are buying porn, in today’s Loop roundup.

By Emily Heil | 10:52 AM ET, 12/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:46 PM ET, 12/12/2011

Obama ambassadorial nominees: Eisen clears Senate, but Aponte is blocked

By Al Kamen

The Senate confirms one Obama ambassadorial nominee, but another is blocked.

By Al Kamen | 10:46 PM ET, 12/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:46 PM ET, 12/12/2011

Obama bio likely to affect 2012 race

By Al Kamen

By Al Kamen | 04:46 PM ET, 12/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:02 AM ET, 12/12/2011

Romney plays the wife card; Perry’s got music (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

In today’s Loop roundup, Mitt Romney plays the wife card, Rick Perry is rather musical, and Rep. Loretta Sanchez is preparing her holiday cards.

By Emily Heil | 11:02 AM ET, 12/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:49 PM ET, 12/09/2011

Sex edging out policy in choosing 2011’s worst political scandal (Vote)

By Emily Heil

Sex scandals are trumping policy brouhahas in the Loop’s poll to determine what the biggest political scandal of the year was.

By Emily Heil | 12:49 PM ET, 12/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:45 AM ET, 12/09/2011

Gingrich’s personal-skills shortage, his book-signing, and a surprising White House guest (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

In our colleagues David Farenthold and Phil Rucker’s piece Friday, there are some telling comments about the former House Speaker’s combative style.

By Emily Heil | 10:45 AM ET, 12/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:05 AM ET, 12/09/2011

Recess appointments: Nobody did them like Teddy

By Al Kamen

This week marks an anniversary in recess-appointment history.

By Al Kamen | 07:05 AM ET, 12/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 12/09/2011

Obama ambassadorial nominees face a ticking clock

By Al Kamen

For Obama’s would-be ambassadors, Congress’ clock is ticking.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 12/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:49 PM ET, 12/08/2011

Smokey Bear spared from GOP budget axe

By Emily Heil

The Forest Service mascot dodges House Republicans’ budget-cutting axe.

By Emily Heil | 03:49 PM ET, 12/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:09 AM ET, 12/08/2011

D.C. tops Peace Corps rankings

By Emily Heil

The District has the most peaceniks per capita than any other area.

By Emily Heil | 11:09 AM ET, 12/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:28 AM ET, 12/08/2011

Blagojevich gets jail--but first, a book signing; Trent Lott’s regrets (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

The former Illinois governor signs books and mugs for the crowd after his sentencing, plus Trent Lott has regrets about his Senate days--in today’s In the Loop roundup.

By Emily Heil | 10:28 AM ET, 12/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:47 PM ET, 12/07/2011

Gingrich faces questions from conservative leaders

By Al Kamen

Gingrich came in for combative questioning from a skeptical audience, according to several of those in attendance. But, they said, he did himself no harm.

By Al Kamen | 05:47 PM ET, 12/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:32 PM ET, 12/07/2011

White House struggles to spread the word on health-care law... to its own workers

By Emily Heil

Senate staffers learn that OPM hasn’t updated its forms to reflect the much-touted health-care reforms.

By Emily Heil | 01:32 PM ET, 12/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:46 AM ET, 12/07/2011

Rangel is still a Caribbean island’s best friend

By Emily Heil

One might think that after his ethics woes, Rep. Charlie Rangel would tone down his support for the island paradise.

By Emily Heil | 11:46 AM ET, 12/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:43 AM ET, 12/07/2011

Blagojevich awaits sentence guzzling Cherry Coke, a sloppy hoax, and a musical Mitt (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

In the Loop’s morning roundup, the former Illinois governor awaits sentencing with a soft drink, a sloppy hoax, and Mitt Romney hearts... Kid Rock?

By Emily Heil | 10:43 AM ET, 12/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:09 PM ET, 12/06/2011

Gingrich quietly courts conservatives

By Al Kamen

By Al Kamen | 06:09 PM ET, 12/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:57 PM ET, 12/06/2011

Bush administration books: a page in history

By Emily Heil

The memoirs of the George W. Bush gang are gathered in a lovely boxed set. Wait, there’s something wrong with this picture.

By Emily Heil | 03:57 PM ET, 12/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:48 PM ET, 12/06/2011

The White House parties on for the season

By Al Kamen

When it comes to fancy holiday parties, nothing beats the two dozen or so at the White House. Don’t pass up the eggnog.

By Al Kamen | 02:48 PM ET, 12/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:55 PM ET, 12/06/2011

Nuclear program cost: How much?

By Al Kamen

Is it “bad tactics” if Ploughshares back off its $700B estimate for “nuclear weapons and related programs”? Some anti-nuke activists think so.

By Al Kamen | 01:55 PM ET, 12/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:47 AM ET, 12/06/2011

Political scandals of 2011: Which was the worst? (VOTE)

By Emily Heil

Celebrities didn’t have the lock on gossip this year — plenty of politicians found themselves in the news for some not-so-nice reasons.

By Emily Heil | 10:47 AM ET, 12/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Loop Contests

Posted at 10:17 AM ET, 12/06/2011

FAA’s safety motto dogs Babbitt, and a billionaire who’s for Obama...and Romney (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

In the Loop’s roundup, the FAA head’s DUI and a billionaire donor who appears to be hedging his bets by giving to both Obama and Romney.

By Emily Heil | 10:17 AM ET, 12/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:54 PM ET, 12/05/2011

Obama legislative strategist, special advisor, leaving White House

By Al Kamen

By Al Kamen | 04:54 PM ET, 12/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Revolving Door

Posted at 12:20 PM ET, 12/05/2011

Obama’s ‘mad living’ remarks — don’t check the transcript

By Emily Heil

What looks like a gaffe by the president in the official White House transcript turns out to be a transcriber’s error.

By Emily Heil | 12:20 PM ET, 12/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:18 AM ET, 12/05/2011

Trump and Huntsman: The Donald’s too busy; Romney’s a ‘missing father’ (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

The mogul is too busy for the GOP candidate; also, in our Loop roundup, voters see Mitt Romney as a “missing father” while Newt Gingrich is the “favorite uncle.”

By Emily Heil | 10:18 AM ET, 12/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 12/02/2011

Smokey Bear up in smoke? House GOP takes aim

By Emily Heil

House Republicans nominate kid’s education programs for budget cuts. Can the cuddly mascot survive?

By Emily Heil | 02:00 PM ET, 12/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:43 AM ET, 12/02/2011

Flying the really, really friendly skies?

By Al Kamen

The acronym is A4A, which keeps it from being confused with the Association of Flight Attendants union (AFA). So we typed A4A into Google and . . . oh dear. . . we got:

By Al Kamen | 11:43 AM ET, 12/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:37 AM ET, 12/02/2011

Pakistan’s diplo-intrigue is silver-screen ready and a metaphor in the national tree? (read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

In the Loop roundup: the Pakistani diplo-drama ripe for film; toppled national Christmas tree must be a metaphor....

By Emily Heil | 10:37 AM ET, 12/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:07 AM ET, 12/02/2011

Contest winners: Obama’s words, the real and the imagined

By Al Kamen

Most of the winning entries were not examples of particularly soaring or clever rhetoric, but rather represented the president’s blunter, more visceral moments.

By Al Kamen | 09:07 AM ET, 12/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)