Whoa! GQ's New D.C. Power List Is Suddenly Out of Date. Or Is It?

Rove may no longer merit ninth place among GQ's "50 Most Powerful People in D.C.," but he might prove a factor even from Texas, rationalizes one editor. (GQ)

Where's that dang crystal ball when you need it? Sweetheart, get me rewrite!

When GQ magazine was compiling its first-ever "50 Most Powerful People in D.C." this summer, it was a slam-dunk to put Karl Rove high on the list. The man dubbed "Bush's Brain" was ranked No. 9, with this assessment in the September issue: "Plame hurt. The midterms hurt. But Rove's still among the few people who get on-demand one-on-one time in the Oval. His legendary -- and, after '06, revenge-oriented -- electoral mind will be a valuable resource to the GOP's eventual nominee."

Of course, that was printed before yesterday's surprise announcement that Rove's headed to Texas. Talk about bad timing.

Remember Dan Bartlett, the powerful Bush insider who left the White House this summer? Didn't make the list. Even given yesterday's news, Rove would still be a factor, said GQ associate editor Greg Veis, but "he'd just be hanging on" near the bottom of the roster. "I can't imagine many campaigns advertising the fact he'll be on their payroll, but he's a notorious meddler. I don't think he's completely going away; that's just not his MO."

GQ's staff spent two months polling politicians, consultants, pundits and other insiders to assemble the entirely subjective rankings. George Bush and Dick Cheney weren't included ("It seemed too obvious," said Veis) but the Palm's Tommy Jacomo (No. 38) made the cut.

The No. 1 pick? Secretary of State Condi Rice, selected as the "ultimate yes-woman" who has become a "much needed check on the Office of the Vice President. . . . Whatever hope we have of not going to war with Iran before the end of Bush's term rests largely with her." Rice is followed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Defense Secretary Bob Gates, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Four top interest groups collectively nabbed No. 6; then it's Cheney Chief of Staff David Addington: "He has done more than anyone else in government to provide the administration with its (sometimes dubious) legal justifications for expanding executive authority."

The editors threw in a few curve balls: Ronald Reagan (No. 13, "an emblem of better times"), St. Albans admissions director Mason Lecky (No. 42), hairstylist Isabelle Goetz (No. 45) and -- full disclosure -- four of our Post colleagues: Dana Priest, Bob Woodward, Susan Glasser and Tom Toles.

So who's No. 1 next year? Veis wouldn't even try to guess. "There are many people who are paid to make these types of predictions," he said. "More often than not, they're terribly, terribly wrong."

HEY, ISN'T THAT . . . ?

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(Doug Hyun - AP)

· Duane "Dog" Chapman and his wife, Beth, below in an earlier photo, at Kinkead's on Sunday night. Cable's "Dog the Bounty Hunter" -- in black jacket, black jeans, silver-tipped and -heeled alligator boots and gold chains -- had clam chowder, salad and soft-shell crab.

· David Beckham spent his final night in D.C. at Sequoia with three teammates and a bodyguard. The L.A. Galaxy superstar, in a gray T-shirt and jeans, posed Friday for pictures with one lucky family that approached the table; then his bodyguard banned all further interruptions.

· Michael Chertoff and Carlos Gutierrez at the Birchmere on Friday night. The homeland security and commerce secretaries, along with the Kuwaiti and Afghan ambassadors, dropped by to hear jazz singer Jane Monheit.

THIS JUST IN . . .

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· Cecilia Sarkozy, right, wife of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, is raising eyebrows after skipping a visit with the Bush clan over the weekend. The Sarkozys, who are vacationing in New Hampshire, were invited to join the president and Laura Bush (along with first twins Jenna and Barbara, George H.W. Bush and wife Barbara, the prez's sis Doro and brother Jeb) for an informal family lunch Saturday in Kennebunkport, Maine. While the French president showed up, his wife begged off, citing a severe sore throat -- but was spotted the next day shopping with friends, reports Reuters. Must not like hot dogs.

· Channel 4's Jim Vance was inducted Friday into the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame in Las Vegas. The WRC anchor has worked for the station for 38 years.