'Extreme Makeover' Yields a New Political Figure

"Extreme Makeover" is headed for reality-TV history, but not before political operative Heidi Ecker unveiled her $200,000 transformation on last night's penultimate episode. "To say I'm happy is an understatement," she told us yesterday. "I keep pinching myself."

The Massachusetts native came to D.C. 13 years ago as an intern for Sen. Ted Kennedy, then worked as a lobbyist and activist for blue-state pols and issues. Right after the 2004 Democratic convention, she took stock: Her professional life was great, her 270-pound body was a wreck. "I'd never been able to beat the weight issue," said Ecker, who embarked on a rigorous diet and exercise regimen. By the summer of 2005, she had lost almost 100 pounds -- and felt she needed expensive plastic surgery to remove excess skin.

That's when she applied to "Extreme Makeover," which provides free cosmetic surgery. "The more I thought about it, I thought this would be a great business decision for me," said Ecker, 34, who was picked in October 2005 and had two major surgeries to remove sagging skin, lift her arms and augment her breasts, as well as dental veneers, Lasik surgery, a nose job, lipo, hair extensions and a new wardrobe. After three months recuperating at the show's Beverly Hills mansion, Ecker returned to Washington's Willard Hotel to reveal her new 160-pound bod to family and friends.

In May, ABC canceled "Extreme Makeover" and is just now airing the final three episodes. Ecker, who has kept the weight off for the past 18 months, now designs political campaigns for grass-roots advocacy firm Winning Connections and runs her Heidihype Web site. "I see this as a fantastic opportunity to educate people: This is what it's like to be overweight, what it's like to lose the weight and what comes after," she said. "I'm so fired up about sharing my story."

In the Presidential Arena, It's Getting Punchy Already

Slowly, the 2008 presidential contenders are coming into focus for voters -- thanks to their campaign soundtracks. Here are the songs that hopefuls picked to bookend their speeches at last week's National Education Association convention in Philly:

Hillary Clinton: "You and I," Celine Dion (entrance); "Right Here, Right Now," Jesus Jones (exit).

John Edwards: Theme from "Rocky."

Chris Dodd: "I Won't Back Down," Tom Petty.

Dennis Kucinich: Theme from "Rocky."

Bill Richardson: "Lean on Me," Club Nouveau's R&B cover of the Bill Withers song (entrance); "Baby, I Love Your Way," Fuerza Juvenil's Latin version of the Frampton classic (exit).

Barack Obama: "Think," Aretha Franklin (entrance); "Higher and Higher," Jackie Wilson (exit).

Mike Huckabee: Theme from "Rocky."

Joe Biden: "Centerfield," John Fogerty.

HEY, ISN'T THAT . . . ?

· Georgetown basketball stars Patrick Ewing Jr. and Jonathan Wallace gamely hitting a wedding reception dance floor with the bride and the groom's mom. A fan recognized them Saturday night on 36th Street NW and dragged them into the Hoya-intensive party at F. Scott's; alums greeted them with a champagne-fueled rendition of the G'town fight song. The two casually dressed young men made chitchat with guests but politely declined food and drink, which kept everyone from running afoul of those pesky NCAA regs.

· Alberto Gonzales and his 12-year-old son hanging with the pro golfers Friday at the AT&T National. The AG met Tiger Woods, then tagged along with Phil Mickelson for a few holes.

QUOTE

"I sort of slapped him around. . . . I was aggravated, there's no question about that."

-- Katie Couric in New York magazine, acknowledging an incident in which she lit into a CBS News editor last month for using the word "sputum," which she hates. She just smacked him on the arm, so forget those Joan Crawford fantasies for now.