An Excused Absence (Note From Holy Father Not Required)

Crowds gathered outside the White House yesterday to welcome Pope Benedict XVI. Today, more than 100 members of Congress plan to attend a papal Mass at Nationals Park. (By Melina Mara -- The Washington Post) | Buy Photo

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"Thank you. You get an A-plus for that," Byrd responded, drawing laughs.

"I'm doing the best I can, Mr. Chairman," Nussle said.

"You did all right," Byrd replied.

Even one of those rumored to be hoping to succeed Byrd offered the chairman praise. Or was it a backhanded compliment that noted Byrd hadn't chaired a full committee hearing since last fall?

"It's good to see you here," said Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.), who is third in Democratic seniority on the committee.

"It's good to see you here, and all the others, too," Byrd replied.

Man of the Month

Congratulations to Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) on winning two distinguished awards, one this week and one last week. On Tuesday, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the National Minority Quality Forum presented Clyburn with the "Lifetime Achievement Award" for his work to address health disparities among African Americans.

Last week, Clyburn, the House majority whip, was awarded the Great American Award by the top African American think tank in the country, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. (Other recipients include former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter and boxing great Muhammad Ali.)

Another of Clyburn's great achievements was telling the former president and potential future first gentleman with whom he shares the Great American Award to "chill" with his race-baiting rhetoric in the Democratic presidential primary.

What Is . . . Eggplant?

Having the distinction of shattering one of the last panes in the glass ceiling is taking House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to new heights.

Last night, Pelosi was the subject of a "Jeopardy" question in the Signs and Symbols category that asked the color of the outfit she wore when she was sworn in as the first female speaker of the House. It is also one of the colors that represent the women's suffrage movement.

At press time, we couldn't be sure whether both "What is purple?" or "What is aubergine?" would qualify as correct answers. Indeed, Pelosi wore an eggplant-colored suit the day she was sworn in as speaker.

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