seersucker is for homos

duno which office, but florida girls seem to be active lately

which office has girls with the most, huh, 'flexible' morals?

"Mr. Kerry....Mr. Kerry, Aye." jesus christ, if i have to listen to another roll call vote, i think i'll puke.

im getting head.  right now

Longworth

Russell.

If you could work in any of the office buildings, which would you choose?

I didn't really like the episode, but I don't think the fake-documentary format was done to freshen things up -- it was done to compress plot developments so that they didn't have to write an entire season's worth of episodes set in Columbia.

No kidding. I hate working in Dirksen. But on the plus side, the offices have more space than those in Hart. 

Dirksen is kind of ghetto

Redistricting: The Game

Yeah, they're desparately grapsing for new ways to keep that showing interesting. A new format is one way. But that show is quickly sinking. 

Speaking of coke-producing South American countries, did anyone catch this week's Entourage on HBO?  Strange format for the ep, but good nonetheless.  

What the hell is peruvian night?  Sounds like a big coke-party.      

Peruvian Night, Cannon, 3rd Floor? Right?

The
Caucus Room in the Cannon House Office Building is an excellent example
of the Beaux Arts style of architectural design. Grand, well ordered,
and richly detailed, the room provides a dignified environment in which
important political meetings and social functions are held. It is the
oldest and one of the largest assembly rooms built for the House of
Representatives outside the Capitol. Before the construction of the
Cannon House Office Building, caucuses and other meetings took place in
cramped committee rooms in the Capitol.

In 1903, the House Office
Building Commission retained the services of John Carrére and Thomas
Hastings, a prominent New York architectural partnership, to design a
new office building for the House of Representatives. Their training at
the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, which resulted in a thorough
knowledge of classical architecture, is seen throughout the building
and is particularly apparent in the Caucus Room. The room lies at the
end of a progression of monumental spaces, which begin with the rotunda
and continue in the marble staircases that land directly in front of
the principal entrance to the Caucus Room. Through this architectural
hierarchy, one is led from the building's "front door" directly and
powerfully to the Caucus Room. Measuring 74 feet long by 54 feet wide,
the room is treated with paired Corinthian pilasters standing on a
continuous pedestal and supporting a richly detailed entablature
including dentils, modillions, and egg-and-dart moldings. The rich
ceiling is decorated with a variety of classical motifs: rosettes,
guilloch, and Greek key. Six windows on the courtyard wall and four
crystal chandeliers light the room. The three-tiered chandeliers, which
are original to the room, feature etched globes.

This room is the
site of numerous dinners, receptions, and other events each year;
unlike its counterpart in the Russell Senate Office Building, this room
hosts no prominent public hearings. Because permission to use the room
is obtained only through the Speaker of the House, information on
patrons is not always available. Some events of note that have taken
place in the room date back at least to 1943, when 350 women were sworn
in as members of the Women's Army Corps. More recently, the
commencement ceremony for the last graduating class of Capitol pages
was held in the room in 1983. (Since then, pages serve only during
their junior year of high school.) In 1984, the Kennedy Center kicked
off festivities for its seventh annual Honors Gala with a formal dinner
in the Caucus Room. Annually, an informal luncheon is held to honor the
winners of the "Artistic Discovery" high school art competition.

Code Pink...those crazy fucks! I love watching some crazy, screaming bitch being drug out of a hearing.

Cannon. 3rd floor.

Agreed. Code Pink really knows how to protest. 

Protest outside Pelosi's office might be interesting, but it's a huge
letdown.  It's something about Haiti, Haiti power, who cares. They all look like they're on sedatives - no yelling, no
singing, they aren't even playing the one guitar somebody remembered to
bring. Code Pink, while embarassingly irrelevant, at least new how to
put on a good show outside of Pelosi's office.  

I was told Peruvian Night is tonight in the "Caucus Room." Anyone know which caucus room?  Russell?  

State staffers live in a bubble.  They eventually become who they talk to the most- crazy constituents. Dont even get me started on the passport crisis. Yes...now let's get this out of the way right now. Does everyone here already have a passport? If you don't...please don't wait until only a few weeks before your trip...if you do that...please shut the fuck up.

There's an interesting protest outside of Pelosi's perosnal office right now..... immigration related. I'm going to guess "Anti-" this comprehensive crap. "Comprehensive" somethin nobody can fully get behind, stuff I hate and You hate.

State staffers live in a bubble.  They eventually become who they talk to the most- crazy constituents. Dont even get me started on the passport crisis.

Regardless of whether or not the people who are calling are
for or against the immigration bill...most are totally uninformed or severely
misinformed.

There's an interesting protest outside of Pelosi's perosnal office right now..... immigration related.

No kidding. The pro:con ratio of calls is probably 1:19 here.  That's because the people who are "for" it are busy working and not calling Senate offices.  Or angrily marching in the streets waiving Mexican flags.

I can feel the BREEZE blowing in...

No kidding. The pro:con ratio of calls is probably 1:19 here.

That's because the people who are "for" it are busy working and not calling Senate offices.

No kidding. The pro:con ratio of calls is probably 1:19 here.

I'm in Maria Cantwells office....I've gotten so many calls about the immigration bill everyone wants it voted against...     

State staffers live in a bubble.  They eventually become who they talk to the most- crazy constituents.

Having interned in a state office, I can say this is definitely true.

Can we exclude anything that they heard about from a commentator rather than a reporter? i.e. Dobbs, Limbaugh...etc. 

Don’t waste our time with the repackaged opinion of some
left-wing/right-wing nut in the media. Research the topic and form your own
opinion! Constituents…these people are allowed to vote?

or write about

I want to narrow it to 10 issues people can talk about. That's it, that would make my life so much easier

I'm sure that more than a few of us got calls about Paris also. The important things folks...the important things...

Gordon Smith: "Nobody can rock the bold pinstriped suit like the Republican from
Oregon. Few will even attempt the look, which Smith models with aplomb.
And, if previous years are any guide, Smith will go above and beyond
the call of sartorial duty for 'Seersucker Thursday,' an annual event
planned for this week by Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.)."

well I'd rather have people call re: Dog the Bounty Hunter than PAris

That's pretty ridiculous. We get that sort of stuff all the time. 

We just had someone call and bitch out a staff assistant over the lack of attention being paid to the Dog The Bounty Hunter issue in Congress. Yes, let's put immigration, energy, and health care on hold for this...or for the two border agents in jail for that matter. You do the crime...be prepared to do the time...leave us out of it.

How is your office handling the immigration phone calls/comments from
residents of states other than the one your member represents?

I love suggesting that they also call those members from their state who were elected to represent them...that really pisses them off! Ha ha...

How is your office handling the immigration phone calls/comments from
residents of states other than the one your member represents? We tell them, politely, to fuck off.

How is your office handling the immigration phone calls/comments from
residents of states other than the one your member represents? With the 'delete' button

How is your office handling the immigration phone calls/comments from residents of states other than the one your member represents?

who is the most vulnerable senator in '08? Sununu, especially if Shaheen is in.

Not our state staff. Of course...we've been in the business for 30 years also. We have very clear roles. They do all the casework, we do all the leg work. We ask them how things work in the state, they ask us how things work here. This all might be due to the fact that several staffers have been around since the beginning.

State staffers live in a bubble.  They eventually become who they talk to the most- crazy constituents.  Seconded.

State staffers live in a bubble.  They eventually become who they talk to the most- crazy constituents. Totally true. They've drank the cool-aid.

State staffers live in a bubble.  They eventually become who they talk to the most- crazy constituents. 

who is the most vulnerable senator in '08?

this was discussed on friday, but there weren't really any satisfying answers. the best anyone could do was Bill Frist. there has to be a better answer out there?

Who has the most attractive staff on the Hill?

Who is the creepiest/shadiest MOC on the Hill?  Both parties, either side of the Dome? I'm going with Patrick McHenry.

Hill staffers....what is your opinion (or the general opinion in your office) of the state staffers for your member?

Completely clueless in every capacity.  Yet at the same time, they feel like they do the "real" work because they deal with constituents.  I recognize that we each have unique roles to fill, but at least I know how to use the address bar in Internet Explorer.  Also: the difference between my elbow and my asshole.

Portman Out, Nussle in as White House Budget Director

Lunch.

crickets...

I can remember being in high school and thinking that members of congress hardly ever wok. It seemed like a great work schedule to me! Now however, when people complain about that I just realize how unaware and uninformed constituents really are at times. Maybe if they knew the amount of hours that most members and theirs staffs were puting in...the would show a little more respect or gratitude. As if no work is being done if someone isn't speaking from the floor...

A few Capitolist comments being posted over on Wonkette.

What's for lunch in the cafe today?

When is Pelosi going to start that 5-day work week she was promising? It's June now Nancy...  I thought we were still in the first 100 hours? 

FromTPM--Rudy Booted From Iraq Study Group For Poor Attendance

Newsday
reports on how Rudy Giuliani was asked to leave the Baker-Hamilton Iraq
Study Group in 2006, because he was skipping too many meetings for paid
fundraisers and speeches. Giuliani missed an opportunity to gain
foreign policy experience and contribute his ideas on one of the most
pressing issues facing the country. He instead earned $11.4 million in
14 months on a speaking tour.

When is Pelosi going to start that 5-day work week she was promising? It's June now Nancy...

The immigration issue kills me.  It's hard to fault immigrants who flee unfortunate circumstances to come here and work, especially when we make it so inviting and easy for them.  On the other hand, there are also a lot of people illegally here from non-third world countries on expired visas who just "prefer" to live in the U.S.  Well, I "prefer" not to pay my taxes, but failing to do so will certainly land me in jail.  When's the last time someone proposed an amnesty for tax violators?  Oh yeah, that's right it's in the Senate bill, but it only pertains to folks here illegally.  The public may not all be gung ho about erecting miles of wall and deporting everyone, but they are not so stupid that the Senate bill even passes their smell test.

Hill staffers....what is your opinion (or the general opinion in your office) of the state staffers for your member? Nice, enthusiastic, totally clueless.

Name one position in your office, which you may or may not have already held, would you absolutely not want?

Intern!

Any position working for Waxman--I don't want to go to hell;  Wow.  Try to save the taxpayers some money, or hold a hearing on healthcare for our troops at Walter Reed and you evoke this kind of hatred from republicans.  This is why the Republican Party hasn't been this unpopular since you tried to impeach Clinton.

The thing with immigration is that it's completely lopsided. Those who
are passionately opposed to comprehensive reform are part of a small
minority. The majority of the public supports it, but doesn't really
care. So there's no good way around this mess. But yes, let's move on.

I don't know, I think a LOT of people are starting to get annoyed by illegals and really want them out.

The thing with immigration is that it's completely lopsided. Those who
are passionately opposed to comprehensive reform are part of a small
minority. The majority of the public supports it, but doesn't really
care. So there's no good way around this mess. But yes, let's move on.

I read somewhere that, "They have the
passion, but not the votes." Those who are against the immigration bill are
not being helped by the radical racist hiding among them. It's unfortunate that
some people are using this topic to spread hatred.

Now that Mark Foley is gone of course... Very funny.

The thing with immigration is that it's completely lopsided. Those who are passionately opposed to comprehensive reform are part of a small minority. The majority of the public supports it, but doesn't really care. So there's no good way around this mess. But yes, let's move on.  

Name one position in your office, which you may or may not have already held, would you absolutely not want?  Any position working for Waxman--I don't want to go to hell

Now that Mark Foley is gone of course...

Who is the creepiest/shadiest MOC on the Hill?  Both parties, either side of the Dome?

Hill staffers....what is your opinion (or the general opinion in your office) of the state staffers for your member?

Name one position in your office, which you may or may not have already held, would you absolutely not want? Oversight Committee Legislative Assistant for a Republican member.  How many ways can we think of to defend Lurita "How can we help our candidates?" Doan?

The whole immigration debate is ridiculous on
both sides. Constituents call and scream “Build the wall! Build the wall!”
Sure, we’ll get right on that folks. Let’s spend billions on building a wall
along the entire southern border. Then, when people still come over, under, or around
that wall….you can call and bitch us out for wasting all that money. Give me a
break…

Staff Assistant. Others are insulated from the worst phone calls. No thank you...I'd rather not spend all day on the phone being told what a total piece of shit I am for not saving the planet myself. Yes, please tell me how this bill, whose name and/or number you do not know...this bill that you admit you know nothing about, is going to completely ruin all life in this country...not that you apparently had one to begin with.

Also its not bad if you have competant interns (a real rarity)

If you're really a people person--staff assistant isn't so bad

Re: Immigration bill, your apathy is not surprising.  It's difficult to maintain a high degree of excitement about legislation that is so patently absurd.  Even the sponsors know it is a ridiculous canard.  They are only pushing it because they are septuagenarians who will be long dead when twenty years from now - just like the 1986 bill - citizens wake up and realize that our country is in fact worse off because of their government's shortsighted immigration "reform."   

Staff Assistant, easy.  Depending on the office scheduler/executive assistant would suck do the amount of time you spend babysitting the member.

Staff Assistant. Never had that position, but I can imagine having to answer constituent phone calls, all day, every day, would be a nightmare. 

Ag or other Nat Res. LA

Health Care or Agriculture LA--

Telecom is easy and sexy--much like myself

Name one position in your office, which you may or may not have already held, would you absolutely not want?

I wonder how much it cost to mail a brick from CA, AZ, NM, or TX

Am I the only one who previously had an opinon on the immigration bill...and now just doesn't give damn?

I used to care, but not now. Now I just want it to go way. Pass it...don't pass...just do something. At least they aren't mailing us as many bricks (to build the wall) as before.

Potbelly on the House side (sortof) has been the only good addition in the last several years as far as eating establishments go.  

I had my first taste of chipotle the day before yesterday.. it was really good and I'm even from So-Cal, I know mexican food.

there should be a chipotle, a five guys, etc. bring it!

There's Cups on the Senate side, which is great if you feel like paying for some seriously overpriced food.  With the profit those guys make, you'd think they could stay open until at least 5pm.

who actually has time for lunch? 

No lunch options.  Hill eateries blow and the cafeterias are overcrowded with throngs of sweaty tourists.  Can't someone please open a frickin Chipotle or something?

lunch options?

back to work.

Oh, the inanity indeed.

Good question. That site is impossible to navigate as well. A few days ago, I needed a copy of a bill urgently, and of course it was down.

The Capitolist's burst into flames! It burst into flames, and it's falling, it's
crashing! Watch it! Watch it! Get out of the way! Get out of the way!
Get this, Charlie; get this, Charlie! It's fire—and it's crashing! It's
crashing terrible! Oh, my! Get out of the way, please! It's burning and
bursting into flames; and the—and it's falling on the mooring-mast. And
all the folks agree that this is
terrible; this is the worst of the worst catastrophes in the world. Oh my Jesus! its flames... Crashing, oh! Four- or five-hundred nanometers
into teh internets and it—it's a terrific crash, ladies and gentlemen. It's
smoke, and it's flames now; and the frames are crashing teh web, not quite to the series of tubes. Oh, the inanity and all the users screaming around here. I told you; it—I can't even talk to people their friends are on there. Ah!
It's—it—it's a—ah! I—I can't talk, ladies and gentlemen. Honest: it's
just laying there, a mass of steaming feces. Ah! And everybody can hardly breathe and talk and the trolling. Lady, I—I—I'm sorry. Honest:
I—I can hardly breathe. I—I'm going to minimize, for I dare not see it. Charlie, that's terrible. Ah,
ah;—I can't. Listen, folks; I—I'm gonna have to stop for a minute
because I've lost my voice. This is the worst thing
I've ever witnessed.

Why is it that the CRS webpage is always down? 

Bush to Congress: Drop Dead. Those signing statements essentially make Congress obsolete. Awesome.

see if some congressional staffers should have the right to vote...  

 http://kpearson.project.tcnj.edu/interactive/imm_files/test.html

Now if only we could stop people from voting, we might have something! Literacy tests worked well before...

I actually like that idea

Now if only we could stop people from voting, we might have something! Umm, we don't have to figure that one out. Most people don't vote already.

Now if only we could stop people from voting, we might have something! Literacy tests worked well before...

lets raise stamp prices to 5 bucks a pop--that'll stop people from writing to their reps!
Hear, Hear.  Now if only we could stop people from voting, we might have something!

lets raise stamp prices to 5 bucks a pop--that'll stop people from writing to their reps! Good idea. Now how do we deal with emails?

what are people working on today? I should be working on answering constituent mail.. but I'm memorizing middle east capitals. Islamabad is the capital of..... Pakistan

letters, letters, letters--lets raise stamp prices to 5 bucks a pop--that'll stop people from writing to their reps! 

A reader writes in: "Give me a break! Where are the pix of Maggie Thatcher, Phyliss Schlafly
and Jeane Kirkpatrick? And Pat Nixon! Grrrr! Call me a bleeding
heart, but I'd rather do Angelina Jolie or Geena Davis anyday than Laura
Bush or especially that anorexic whack job Ann Coulter."

what are people working on today? me: a crappy newsletter.

Hey B, this is K.  Get back to work.