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    In the Loop tracks who’s up and who’s down in government circles, the arduous “fact-finding trips” officials must take to Rio, Paris and Rome at taxpayer expense, and looks at the quirkier corners of political life in the federal city.
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In the Loop: August, 2012

Posted at 12:12 PM ET, 08/01/2012

Judicial wannabes’ chances — slim to none
By Al Kamen
The climate these days is stacked against Obama judicial nominees getting confirmed.

By Al Kamen  |  12:12 PM ET, 08/01/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Obama judges, judicial appointments, Bill Clinton, George Bush, Al Gore, Pat Leahy, Senate Judicarry Committee, judicial vacancies, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 11:45 AM ET, 07/31/2012

Tweets from Hillary? Don’t miss the Loop contest deadline!
By Emily Heil
The deadline’s approaching for the Loop’s contest to help craft the secretary of state’s debut tweet.

By Emily Heil  |  11:45 AM ET, 07/31/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:23 AM ET, 07/31/2012

Campaigns know to feed or be fed; Obama’s heritage explored; Cheney’s gone fishin’ (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s roundup, campaigns dish up more than sound bites; Obama’s family tree explored; and Dick Cheney’s gone fishin’.

By Emily Heil  |  10:23 AM ET, 07/31/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:18 AM ET, 07/31/2012

Mitt Romney’s overseas jaunt v. Obama’s 2008 voyage: What a difference staffing makes
By Emily Heil
Compared to President Obama’s 2008 overseas trip, Mitt Romney brought along far fewer staffers and advisors on his foreign jaunt.

By Emily Heil  |  09:18 AM ET, 07/31/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:39 PM ET, 07/30/2012

Senate blocks Obama judge nominee
By Al Kamen
In a straight party-line vote, Democrats fail to break GOP filibuster

By Al Kamen  |  07:39 PM ET, 07/30/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:02 PM ET, 07/30/2012

BACKGROUND CHECK: Fred Hochberg
By Emily Heil
The Loop does a Q&A with Fred Hochberg, president of the Export-Import Bank.

By Emily Heil  |  12:02 PM ET, 07/30/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:23 AM ET, 07/30/2012

Questions on the election; teen girls want female debate moderator; Camp discloses cancer (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s roundup, questions about the next 100 days; teenage girls want a female debate moderator; and a congressman fights cancer.

By Emily Heil  |  10:23 AM ET, 07/30/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:12 PM ET, 07/27/2012

Former Giffords chief of staff Pia Carusone takes new role in DHS public affairs
By Emily Heil
Pia Carusone, former chief of staff to former representative Gabby Giffords, is heading to DHS.

By Emily Heil  |  12:12 PM ET, 07/27/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:54 AM ET, 07/27/2012

Romney’s swingin’ London; nepotism at DOJ; and the Pentagon’s Mad Men-esque history (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s roundup, Mitt Romney’s swingin’ London; nepotism at DOJ; and the Pentagon’s Mad Men-esque history.

By Emily Heil  |  09:54 AM ET, 07/27/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 07/27/2012

Graham Spanier’s gig as a federal worker is a mystery
By Emily Heil
Ousted Penn State president Graham Spanier is working as a part-time consultant to a “top-secret” government agency.

By Emily Heil  |  07:00 AM ET, 07/27/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:17 PM ET, 07/26/2012

Agriculture Department: We love meat
By Al Kamen
The department says it doesn’t promote meatless Mondays

By Al Kamen  |  03:17 PM ET, 07/26/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:53 PM ET, 07/26/2012

Capitol Hill reporter chases Rep. David Dreier, boldly goes where no woman has gone before
By Emily Heil
A reporter accidentally chases a lawmaker into the men’s room.

By Emily Heil  |  02:53 PM ET, 07/26/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:13 AM ET, 07/26/2012

British P.M. disses Utah
By Al Kamen
Prime Minister David Cameron says it’s easy to hold an Olympics “in the middle of nowhere.”

By Al Kamen  |  11:13 AM ET, 07/26/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:38 AM ET, 07/26/2012

First lady steps up; taxing political groups; and questioning the NRA’s juice (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s roundup, a new role for Michelle Obama; taxing political groups; and questioning the NRA’s juice.

By Emily Heil  |  10:38 AM ET, 07/26/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:30 PM ET, 07/25/2012

Sen. Patrick Leahy casts historic 14,000th vote
By Emily Heil
The longtime senator joins an elite club with his 14,000th vote.

By Emily Heil  |  05:30 PM ET, 07/25/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:15 PM ET, 07/25/2012

Kim Jong Eun’s new bride ready for the Vogue treatment
By Emily Heil
The North Korean dictator takes a wife.

By Emily Heil  |  03:15 PM ET, 07/25/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:06 PM ET, 07/25/2012

Hillary Clinton’s Twitter debut: What should she say? (A Loop contest!)
By Emily Heil
Enter the Loop’s contest to suggest what the Secretary of State’s debut tweet should be.

By Emily Heil  |  01:06 PM ET, 07/25/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:06 PM ET, 07/25/2012

Obama and Romney high court options
By Al Kamen
A reelected President Obama or a President Romney, especially the latter, will have a lot of potential to influence the court’s makeup.

By Al Kamen  |  12:06 PM ET, 07/25/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:12 AM ET, 07/25/2012

Romney packs suitcases; lawmakers collect stamps; and a Union Station overhaul (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop's roundup, Romney packs his suitcases; lawmakers collect stamps; and a Union Station overhaul.

By Emily Heil  |  10:12 AM ET, 07/25/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:23 PM ET, 07/24/2012

Missile Defense Chief: No white smoke yet
By Al Kamen
Army Secretary McHugh refers possible action to Arny vice chef of staff.

By Al Kamen  |  08:23 PM ET, 07/24/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:25 PM ET, 07/24/2012

Turkey, Native Americans: An odd pairing in a failed bill
By Emily Heil
A bill would have encouraged trade between Turkey and Native American tribes.

By Emily Heil  |  04:25 PM ET, 07/24/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:18 AM ET, 07/24/2012

Races pit ‘kin vs. kin;’ a Senate-White House blind item; and enviros target flat-earthers (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
2012 races pit “kin v.kin;” a Senate-White House blind item; and enviros target ”flat-earth” lawmakers.

By Emily Heil  |  10:18 AM ET, 07/24/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:00 PM ET, 07/23/2012

Inhofe’s Pilots Bill of Rights set to pass
By Al Kamen
Pilot and Sen. James Inhofe’s bill, sparked by his near-miss of workers on a closed runway, is awaiting President Obama’s signature

By Al Kamen  |  03:00 PM ET, 07/23/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  FAA, Federal Aviation Administration, James Inhofe, Pilot's Bill of Rights, license, closed runway, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 11:58 AM ET, 07/23/2012

Afghanistan: The troubled U.S. effort
By Al Kamen
“Little America,” a new book by Rajiv Chandrasekaran, reveals in detail the bureaucratic infighting and ineptitude that have plagued the U.S. campaign in Afghanistan

By Al Kamen  |  11:58 AM ET, 07/23/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Afghanistan, "Little America, Rajiv Chandrasekaran, Taliban, Imperial Life in Emerald City, State Department, Pentagon, Kabul, Iraq, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 11:15 AM ET, 07/23/2012

Military band bill: A victim of bad PR?
By Emily Heil
A measure to cut funding to military musical ensembles fails.

By Emily Heil  |  11:15 AM ET, 07/23/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:18 AM ET, 07/23/2012

Pols’ first campaigns; great egg-spectations in Congress; McGovern looks ahead to 100th birthday (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s roundup: Pols recall their first campaigns; great eggs-pectations in Congress; and McGovern looks ahead to 100

By Emily Heil  |  10:18 AM ET, 07/23/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:46 AM ET, 07/20/2012

Tweets from Hillary? A Loop Contest
By Emily Heil
Enter the Loop’s contest to suggest what the secretary of state’s first tweet should be.

By Emily Heil  |  10:46 AM ET, 07/20/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:39 AM ET, 07/20/2012

GSA’s $20K drumming; fact-checking on Bain; and Romney goes abroad (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s roundup, pricey musical team-building at GSA; parsing Romney’s Bain tenure; and Romney abroad.

By Emily Heil  |  09:39 AM ET, 07/20/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:50 PM ET, 07/19/2012

Ecuador’s embassy hires PR firm
By Emily Heil
The same firm that spun for Syria takes on Ecuador’s embassy as a client.

By Emily Heil  |  05:50 PM ET, 07/19/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:44 PM ET, 07/19/2012

Romney and Obama thinking about transition
By Al Kamen
A new federal law kicks in right after the conventions to allow the government to provide earlier support for both candidates to work up a plan before settling, or resettling, into the Oval Office.

By Al Kamen  |  01:44 PM ET, 07/19/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Romney, Obama, Bush, Clinton, transitions, planning, Clay Johnson, John Podesta, Ted Kaufman, 9/11, Presidential Transition Act, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 12:08 PM ET, 07/19/2012

Capitol Police get tattoo rules: show force, not flesh
By Emily Heil
The U.S. Capitol Police get new rules on tatoos, body art.

By Emily Heil  |  12:08 PM ET, 07/19/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:46 AM ET, 07/19/2012

Scalia: no grudge on the bench; McCain finds his voice; hookergate is closing (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s morning roundup: there’s no grudge on the bench, Senator McCain finds his voice and hookergate is closing.

By Emily Heil  |  10:46 AM ET, 07/19/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:12 PM ET, 07/18/2012

Hillary Clinton’s miles: In the Loop gets one Pinocchio
By Al Kamen
Washington Post Fact Checker columnist finds fault in an item on Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s travels.

By Al Kamen  |  03:12 PM ET, 07/18/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, miles traveled, days, State Department, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 12:14 PM ET, 07/18/2012

Missile Defense Agency awaits ‘corrective action’
By Al Kamen
A DOD inspector general report called on Army Secretary John McHugh to take action on a scathing report on MDA director’s management style.

By Al Kamen  |  12:14 PM ET, 07/18/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Missile Defense Agency, Lt. Gen. Patrick O'Reilly, Leon Panetta, George Little, inspector general, George Wright, Army, John McHugh, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 10:45 AM ET, 07/18/2012

Connie Schultz hopes for ‘teaching moment’ on conservative blogger’s failed gotcha
By Emily Heil
The wife of Sen. Sherrod Brown turns a conservative blogger’s “gotcha” into a teaching moment.

By Emily Heil  |  10:45 AM ET, 07/18/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:44 PM ET, 07/17/2012

Hillary Rodham Clinton’s travel logs
By Al Kamen
The secretary of state is No. 1 in terms of countries visited and days on the road.

By Al Kamen  |  05:44 PM ET, 07/17/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, Madeleine Albright, travel, miles traveled, days on the road, countries visited, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 03:31 PM ET, 07/17/2012

World Bank prepares for a presidential visit
By Al Kamen
Elaborate preparations smooth the way when a dignitary comes to call.

By Al Kamen  |  03:31 PM ET, 07/17/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 11:36 AM ET, 07/17/2012

Congress issues advice on ‘How To Properly Terminate a Lobbyist’
By Emily Heil
We got some helpful instructions from no less an august source than the U.S. Congress.

By Emily Heil  |  11:36 AM ET, 07/17/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:40 AM ET, 07/17/2012

FEMA’s new hires fall flat
By Emily Heil
The agency’s hires might just draw fire. But careful, they’re flammable.

By Emily Heil  |  10:40 AM ET, 07/17/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:16 AM ET, 07/17/2012

Heather Wilson’s comeback effort; spying at the FDA; and vetting a veep (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
Heather Wilson attempts a comeback; spying at the FDA; and vetting Sen. Rob Portman.

By Emily Heil  |  10:16 AM ET, 07/17/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:31 PM ET, 07/16/2012

BACKGROUND CHECK: EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson
By Emily Heil
The EPA administrator dishes with the Loop about which app she’s addicted to and which Cabinet secretaries are her movie-watching buddies.

By Emily Heil  |  07:31 PM ET, 07/16/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:08 PM ET, 07/16/2012

Maui judicial conference still a go
By Al Kamen
IN THE LOOP | Bowing to Senate pressure, a court postponed its 2013 California conference, but this year’s Maui one is still on.

By Al Kamen  |  01:08 PM ET, 07/16/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Maui, judicial conference, judges, 9th circuit, federal judges, Zumba, Hawaii, Chuck Grassley, Jeff Sessions, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 11:14 AM ET, 07/16/2012

Unesco set to award dictator-funded prize
By Emily Heil
The international body is poised to award a prize funded by dictator Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea.

By Emily Heil  |  11:14 AM ET, 07/16/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:59 AM ET, 07/16/2012

Clinton gets heckled; an ambassador says goodbye; and another singing campaign ad (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s roundup, Clinton gets a none-too-warm greeting; an ambassador says goodbye; and another singing presidential ad.

By Emily Heil  |  09:59 AM ET, 07/16/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:19 AM ET, 07/13/2012

Rep. Jackson’s once-bright future; a gold star for Sen. Collins; a self-loathing PAC (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s roundup: Rep. Jackson’s happier days, perfect attendance for Sen. Collins and a self-loathing PAC.

By Emily Heil  |  08:19 AM ET, 07/13/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:24 PM ET, 07/12/2012

House committee chairman outguns the Pentagon
By Al Kamen
Armed Services Committee head forces Pentagon to back down on a policy that memos to Congress be no longer than 10 pages.

By Al Kamen  |  06:24 PM ET, 07/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:28 PM ET, 07/12/2012

Bill Clinton’s summer reading fave
By Al Kamen
Our former colleague E. J. Dionne’s new book gets high marks from the former president.

By Al Kamen  |  02:28 PM ET, 07/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bill Clinton, Clinton Global Initiative, E.J. Dionne, Ashley Judd, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 07/12/2012

USDA uses soap opera to educate on food stamps
By Emily Heil
The USDA uses a Spanish-language soap opera to promote food stamps.

By Emily Heil  |  02:00 PM ET, 07/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:12 AM ET, 07/12/2012

Jesse Jackson, Jr.’s condition still unclear; House floor’s a zoo; an ex-spy’s story (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s roundup, Jesse Jackson, Jr.’s condition still unclear; the House floor is a zoo; and an ex-spy’s unraveled life.

By Emily Heil  |  10:12 AM ET, 07/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:53 PM ET, 07/11/2012

Pentagon and House committee exchange fire
By Al Kamen
Pentagon effort to reduce reports to the Hill prompts rebuke from House committee chairman.

By Al Kamen  |  05:53 PM ET, 07/11/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Leon Panetta, Buck McKeon, Bob Gates, Pentagon, Congress, China, China's military, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the loop

Posted at 04:54 PM ET, 07/11/2012

Rand Paul goes MIA; staffer Tweets APB
By Emily Heil
The senator’s staffer took to Twitter to track down her wily boss.

By Emily Heil  |  04:54 PM ET, 07/11/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:37 PM ET, 07/11/2012

Obama’s vacation destination contest winners
By Al Kamen
IN THE LOOP | Staycation or swing-state sabbatical? Readers suggest where to go.

By Al Kamen  |  12:37 PM ET, 07/11/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:07 AM ET, 07/11/2012

CDC’s wedding-day advice: Sedatives and chocolate
By Emily Heil
The agency preaches emergency readiness for nuptial planners.

By Emily Heil  |  11:07 AM ET, 07/11/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:29 AM ET, 07/11/2012

GOP tries, tries again on repeal; Obama’s many slogans; Arne Duncan is dunkin’ (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s morning roundup, the GOP tries again and again on health-care repeal; President Obama’s many slogans; and Arne Duncan in dunkin’.

By Emily Heil  |  10:29 AM ET, 07/11/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:45 PM ET, 07/10/2012

Congress wants you to gamble...for the kids
By Emily Heil
A congressional foundation wants you to gamble...for the kids.

By Emily Heil  |  03:45 PM ET, 07/10/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:27 PM ET, 07/10/2012

IG report blasts missile defense chief
By Al Kamen
The Pentagon inspector general faulted the leadership style of the head of the Missile Defense Agency.

By Al Kamen  |  01:27 PM ET, 07/10/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Missile Defense Agency, DOD, Pentagon, Inspector General, IG Report, Lt. Gen. Patrick O'Reilly, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 10:49 AM ET, 07/10/2012

Line-standing legend seeks ninja sidekick
By Emily Heil
A line-standing legend is seeking a ninja sidekick.

By Emily Heil  |  10:49 AM ET, 07/10/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:40 AM ET, 07/10/2012

Presidential campaign isn’t budging; Bob Kerrey’s wife slams Midwest, and a Justice official is out (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s roundup, the campaign isn’t budging; Bob Kerrey’s wife slams the Midwest, and a Justice official is out.

By Emily Heil  |  08:40 AM ET, 07/10/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:40 PM ET, 07/09/2012

Drone pilots to get medals?
By Al Kamen
The Pentagon may honor drone pilots with a new medal for their efforts.

By Al Kamen  |  02:40 PM ET, 07/09/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  drones, drone pilots, cyber warriors, Distinguished Warfare Medal, Pentagon, Army Institute of Heraldry, Commission of Fine Arts, Coin World, Bill McAllister, Fort Belvoir, Air and Space Power Journal, Air Force, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 12:18 PM ET, 07/09/2012

TSA blog: True tales of dumb passengers
By Emily Heil
The security agency chronicles the bizarre things passengers try to sneak past security.

By Emily Heil  |  12:18 PM ET, 07/09/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:35 AM ET, 07/09/2012

Warren Burger’s media screed
By Al Kamen
An unearthed letter shows the former Supreme Court Chief Justice warning a colleague about journalists’ tricky tactics.

By Al Kamen  |  10:35 AM ET, 07/09/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:37 AM ET, 07/09/2012

Michelle Obama and ‘having it all;’ SCOTUS Googles; and Barney Frank’s political vows (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s roundup, the First Lady’s role in the mothering debate; SCOTUS hearts Google; and Barney Frank’s political wedding vows.

By Emily Heil  |  08:37 AM ET, 07/09/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:11 AM ET, 07/02/2012

Congress as circus; that Romney getaway; and a Loretta Sanchez video (read-this roundup)
By Emily Heil
In the Loop’s roundup: Congress as circus; that Romney vacation; and Loretta Sanchez does “Call Me Maybe.”

By Emily Heil  |  10:11 AM ET, 07/02/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:43 PM ET, 06/30/2012

White House ambassador nominee withdrawn after drunken-driving arrest
By Al Kamen
Washington lawyer and major Obama campaign contributor Timothy Broas was charged after a Senate committee approved his nomination.

By Al Kamen  |  01:43 PM ET, 06/30/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Timothy Broas, Netherlands, ambassador, White House, President Obama, drunk driving, arrest, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the loop

 

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