Got a Caddy for Your Anti-Terror Gear?

There was much nervousness in the Washington area over the possibility that terrorists might try to pull something just before or on Election Day. Some people were even talking about getting out of town.

The Department of Homeland Security had said it was picking up some increased chatter but not enough to warrant a higher alert level beyond the everyday orange designation. Still, Osama bin Laden's little cave-side chat last week didn't help matters.

Well, it turns out the Nervous Nellies were hyperventilating for nothing. None other than Asa Hutchinson, undersecretary for border and transportation security at the department, was spotted spending the morning on Election Day golfing at Hains Point with his brother, former senator Tim Hutchinson (R-Ark.), chief of staff Betty Guhman and a friend from Arkansas.

Tee time was 6:45 a.m., we're told, and a Loop Fan spotted the quartet wrapping up around noon. Does this outing reflect supreme confidence in our anti-terrorist measures? Or perhaps he wanted to keep a close eye on National Airport?

Alphabet Soup Tough to Swallow

President Bush, with a mandate-size victory under his belt, has been talking a lot about "reaching out" to Democrats, offering them a chance to sign on to his policies.

But maybe there's a limit to the outreach. For example, one of the administration's first major post-election foreign policy moves was to recognize what had been officially called the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, or FYROM, as the Republic of Macedonia.

This naturally infuriated Greece, which has a province of the same name that was the birthplace of Alexander the Great. Greek President Constantine Stephanopoulos, apparently blindsided by the move, fired off a protest.

The State Department said no offense was intended to the Greeks, but the administration wanted to show support for the Macedonians.

"By recognizing Macedonia's chosen constitutional name," a spokesman said, "we wish to underscore the U.S. commitment to a permanent multi-ethnic, democratic Macedonian state within its existing borders." He called Macedonia a "steadfast partner" in the war on terrorism, with troops in the mighty "Coalition of the Willing." This in contrast to the Greeks, who sent no troops.

But really, FYROM? And the residents would be FYROMinians? Puh-leeze.

Smoke 'Em if You Got 'Em

Many observers are saying Tuesday's results show a sweeping endorsement of traditional values and a rejection of wishy-washy liberalism. On the other hand, folks at the Marijuana Policy Project are high-fiving big-time with wins in at least 17 of 20 contests in places such as Montana and Columbia, Mo.

Montana approved a medical marijuana measure by 62 to 38 percent, the MPP pointed out, and folks in Columbia (Colombia?) passed a medical marijuana proposal and backed another measure that replaces jail time with a maximum $250 fine for marijuana possession.

Grand Ol' Plans for Newcomers

Giddy with victory Wednesday, National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman George Allen (Va.) said he and other Republicans would push to carve the likeness of newly elected senator John Thune (R-S.D.) on Mount Rushmore if it were legal.

"If we could, I expect we could take up a collection and that would be done," Allen told reporters. "He's a hero."

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) would certainly support doing something for the man who defeated Frist's nemesis, Senate Democratic Leader Thomas A. Daschle (S.D.). It was a great victory overall for Frist. That's the plus side. The other side is that now Frist is going to have to deal with the always unpredictable and uncontrollable new senator Tom A. Coburn (R-Okla.).

Coburn has been a Loop Fan favorite for years, for, among other things, his popular House luncheon slide show on the effects of venereal disease. We can only hope Senate aides continue the tradition.

A Fire Sale on Kerry Books

Another downside to defeat: Sen. John F. Kerry's autobiography, "A Call to Service," is available on Amazon.com for 37 percent off. Wait another week.

So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen . . .

They're bailing out already. While the president is off to Camp David to work on his new Cabinet, some top administration officials are taking a hike.

There was a goodbye party Wednesday for Robert Joseph, head of the National Security Council's Office of Proliferation Strategy, Counterproliferation and Homeland Defense. Joseph was a key player on policy toward Axis of Evil countries and was involved in the controversy over claims that Iraq was trying to buy uranium in Africa.

Word is Michael J. Green, NSC senior director for Asian affairs, who often differed with Joseph's harder line on North Korea, is eyeing a post at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service.

On the domestic front, Paul Gilman, the Environmental Protection Agency's top research official, announced his departure at the end of this month. Gilman, formerly a top aide on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, strongly defended the agency's science from persistent enviro attacks.