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Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Bush to Speak in White House Library

By Ken Herman | Tuesday, January 9, 2007, 07:17 PM

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An early, preliminary version of the schedule showed that President Bush’s Wednesday night speech on Iraq would come from the White House Map Room that FDR used to keep up with progress during World War II.

But word now comes that the White House library (above in White House photo) will be the scene for the big speech.

The White House website tells us that the room served as a laundry area until the 1902 renovation under Theodore Roosevelt. It then served as a “gentlemen’s anteroom.” A 1935 remodeling turned it into the library.

“It is less formal than the rooms of the State Floor and is often used for teas and meetings,” says the website.

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Sen. Cornyn Finds His Inner Fred Thompson

By "Tara Copp" | Tuesday, January 9, 2007, 05:41 PM

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Hey, if one law enforcement-minded, august senator (and really tall, and partially balding too) can break out in Hollywood, there’s hope for another, right?

You may recall that former Republican Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson was a recurring character on NBC’s “Law & Order.”

Well this Friday afternoon you can catch what may be the beginning of the next phase of John Cornyn — TV breakout star — as he pitches this promo for the hit FOX series “24”:

“Here in Congress, protecting the American people and winning the war on terror is our number one priority. But has anyone also noticed there have been no terrorist attacks in the United States since Jack Bauer has appeared on television? …. Think about it. And join me in watching this season of ‘24.’

Cornyn won’t be in the episode, and the promo was just an opportunity to show his humorous side, his office said.

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Hip-hop Ring Tone

By Ken Herman | Tuesday, January 9, 2007, 01:06 PM

A cell phone rings during a White House briefing. Press Secretary Tony Snow hears it. The ring tone seems to be of a particular genre. Snow recognizes it and turns to ABC’s Martha Raddatz, owner of said cell phone.

“Does Martha have a hip-hop ring tone?” Snow asks, somewhat surprised at the notion.

“I have a 15-year-old son,” responds Ms. Raddatz, a caucasian generally devoid of bling, seeking to shift blame to her offspring.

Snow sees nothing wrong with the ring tone.

“Play that funky music, white girl,” he says, recalling “Wild Cherry’s” 1976 hit “Play that Funky Music,” which featured the memorable refrain, “Play that funky music, white boy.”

Later, Ms Raddatz explains that her son loaded the song as her ring tone. The tune is “Ridin’” by Chamillionaire featuring Krazie Bone.

The opening lyrics: They see me rollin’/ They hatin’ patrollin and tryna catch me ridin’ dirty/ Tryna catch me ridin dirty’ (repeat four times)/ My music so loud I’m swangin’/ They hopin’ that they gone catch me ridin’ dirty/ Tryna catch me ridin’ dirty (repeat four times)

FYI, “Ridin’ dirty” refers to traveling with illegal substances.

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Failure to Communicate

By Ken Herman | Tuesday, January 9, 2007, 09:38 AM

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We learned this morning of the first known casualty of the major rehab and renovation project now taking place in the White House Press Room.

The communications link from the White House driveway “stakeout” (the cluster of microphones where folks who have met with the president can stop to spill their guts to reporters) to the temporary press room down the block was out of service for several days.

A fiber cable was “accidentally” cut, according to the White House Communications Agency. Nobody seems to suspect anything other than an accident. By Tuesday afternoon, the line was back in service.

But while it was off-line, it meant that that White House reporters who wanted to hear what folks said at the stakeout had to make the half-block walk from their temporary HQ to the stakeout (shown above when Florida Sen. Mel Martinez, hands together in the center, and other GOP officials chatted with the press after the November election).

FYI, the press room renovation project is on target for May completion, more or less. Included will be a completely overhauled briefing room.

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