How Washington Sees the Statuary Haul

Still struggling with your ballot for the office Oscar pool? We tapped into the wisdom of D.C. VIPs who know a thing or two about showbiz, prognosticating and winning.

Brendan Haywood ,

Wizards center

Best Picture: "The Departed"; Best Actor: Will Smith; Best Actress: Meryl Streep; Supporting Actor: Eddie Murphy; Supporting Actress: Jennifer Hudson; Director: Clint Eastwood.

Larry Sabato , director of the U-Va. Center for Politics

"The only movies that I watch are on transcontinental flights, which is where I saw 'Little Miss Sunshine.' Therefore, I declare it likely to sweep the Oscars." Best Documentary: "An Inconvenient Truth." "For Al Gore, winning the Academy Award may be better than winning a presidential election."

Carol Schwartz , D.C. council member

Best Picture: Predicts "Letters From Iwo Jima" (pictured below) over her preference, "Sunshine." Actor: Forest Whitaker (despite finding "The Last King of Scotland" a "disturbing, stressful movie"); Actress: Helen Mirren; Supporting Actress: Hudson; Supporting Actor: Murphy; Director: "It's whatchamadoodle's time -- you know, from 'The Departed.' "