January 02, 2006
Welcome To Oh...Six
The Hotline pauses for a bit and what happens? News still breaks out. Imagine that. So to catch you up, here's our summary of the past ten days, in it's-not-hackneyed-until-we-do-it "Best Of/Worst Of" form.
Best use of a college bowl game: a tie between Gov. Dick Codey, who pitched in money for Rutgers students to make the trip to Phoenix and Gov. Rick Perry, who kicked off his '06 run with a 30-second ad aired during the Cotton Bowl.
Worst-timed 500K office renovation: Gov. Blanco of LA.
Worst PR move: "Tennessee lawmaker takes aim at newspaper advertisers"
Best political example of what Uncle Eddie called 'The gift that keeps on giving all year long' in 'Christmas Vacation': Mayor Mike and his holiday/victory bonuses
Best Dem-positive trend story: "Two elections continue DFL gains"
Best AP understated lede: "It's almost as if Sen. John Kerry never stopped running for president."
Best "Hey, our state has a Senate race too!" story: "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's "Kohl gears up for battle against unknown; Senator's campaign in place, but he has no big opponent"
Best-timed admission: MA Gov candidate/AG Tom Reilly admits past public drunkeness on New Year's Eve.
Best obvious NBC negotiating tactic: Donald Trump leaks word about potential gov run as NBC's enthusiasm for The Apprentice wains.
Post article most likely to trigger a leak investigation: "Covert CIA Program Withstands New Furor," Dana Priest, 12/29.
Best example of what donors don't want to hear from an incumbent: Sen. Jon Kyl, 'My opponent "probably does" have a chance to beat me,' Mohave Daily News, 12/29.
Most creative use of the verb Cuomo: President Bush, who allegedly labeled deputy AG James Comey a "Cuomo" after he expressed reservations about the NSA domestic collection program. (Newsweek, 1/2)
Best gratuitous state-bashing: "How weird is Florida?" AP, 12/1/06.
Focus On The Family's News Story of the year: "Terri Schiavo dies." (Citizenlink.com e-mail, 12/2)
Best Good Question To Which I Don't Yet Have An Answer: IA Gov. Tom Vilsack, who asks in a Heartland PAC e-mail "What are your ten words that define the Democratic Party's message?:
Best upcoming C-SPAN porn: nightly two-hour Abramoff call-ins on 1/3 and 1/4.
Best NYT use of Joisey stereotypes: "Alito Team Says He Lacks Polish, But Grit Is a Plus"
Most interesting non-toady Fred Barnes article: "A Congress of Mayors -- The GOP'ss new suburban strategy."
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's New Year Resolution: "to keep speaking out about my disagreements with this administration and their congressional allies: a budget that cuts back on health care, education, and even child support enforcement to make room for additional tax cuts for the wealthiest among us. Cronyism and incompetence that weaken the social fabric of our nation. A secret program that spies on Americans!"
Best / most unusual take on the evolution/creation debate : in re: evolution, FL Gov Jeb Bush says he believes in it but doesn't believe it should be taught in schools.
Worst odor adjective headline: "THE STENCH OF CORRUPTION, THE SWEET SMELL OF CHOCOLATE," Hartford Courant, 12/28.
Posted at 02:31 PM
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