Family History That Must Cheer the AG's Heart

Hail to the Redskinette: Maureen McDonnell graced the RFK sidelines back in the mid-'70s. (Courtesy of Maureen McDonnell)

Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell has always been candid about wife Maureen's little secret: She's a former Redskinette!

(Actually, we think the lucky guy tells pretty much everyone . Heck, wouldn't you?)

But that bit of intel still managed to delight and titillate Old Dominion politicos last weekend at the GOP retreat in Crystal City, where the potential gubernatorial candidate hosted a reception with some autograph-signing Skins cheerleaders, thanks to his wife's connections. Suddenly, the Internet was buzzing, and political blogger Howard Mortman was racing to be the first to post a vintage photo.

"I didn't know I'd be causing a ruckus at this age," the former Maureen Gardner, 53, told us. Ah, but there's something about a cheerleader. The Northern Virginia native joined the squad in 1974 on her second tryout attempt, not long after meeting Bob, and cheered through the 1976 season.

"I never got cut," she said, noting she left only to follow her new Army officer husband overseas. "I kept having those recurring dreams for years and years that I was back at the game and my uniform didn't fit and I didn't know the routines." She does still know the routines, though, and even joined the alumnae performances at a couple of games last season. "We joke that the coordination between our brains and our feet is slower now."

Will her cheering past help her husband's future campaigns? "My experience as a Redskinette has always been a plus, and it's always been a plus in our relationship," she said. "It's the football team for our nation's capital. It's such an American thing."

Hello, Dad, Guess What: I'm on TV!

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Quite the coinkydink! Jenna Bush appeared on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" yesterday and made headlines when she "spontaneously" called her dad during Tuesday night's taping.

"Could you just pick up the phone right now and call him?" DeGeneres asked the First Twin, who's wrapping up her book tour. "Sure," Bush said. "He's gonna kill me, though!" She grabbed the phone (covering the buttons as she dialed) and reached her parents on the only night -- whaddaya know? -- they weren't hosting a White House holiday party. "How is my little girl doing?" asked the president, who then wished everybody a Merry Christmas.

Coppola in Washington: Wow, That Was Quick

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So, Francis Ford Coppola-- who last weekend paid tribute to Kennedy Center honoree Martin Scorsese -- phoned our colleague J. Freedom du Lac for a scheduled interview yesterday.

"Are you still in Washington?" asked du Lac.

The director responded: "Was I in Washington?"

"Uh, yeah. Sunday. For the Kennedy Center Honors."

"Right!" Coppola said. "I wasn't really there. I got there and they said, 'You're on in two minutes.' " After his Scorsese speech, he said, he turned around and left town.

Seems that's how it goes for a lot of the stars who turn out for the annual show. One exception: American Idol Jordin Sparks , who stayed past 1 a.m. to sing for the stragglers on the post-gala dance floor ("Crazy," "At Last"). But she's still new at this game . . .

HEY, ISN'T THAT . . . ?

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Gabrielle Union slipping into the Gallery Place theater Tuesday (silver sparkly top, tight jeans, black stilettos). The starlet showed up with "The Perfect Holiday" co-stars Morris Chestnut and Faizon Love for a special screening and reception for injured soldiers and their families, hosted by Wizards forward Antawn Jamison and his wife, Ione.