“He’s a pioneer.” – BuzzFeed Editor-in-Chief Ben Smith on New York mayoral hopeful Anthony Weiner, who he’s interviewing for “BuzzFeed Brews” tonight in New York City for 45 minutes. Asked what new things we’ll learn tonight, if anything, Smith told MSNBC’s “The Daily Rundown” this morning, “That’s kinda up to Anthony. I think there are a lot of questions…about how his email-mate is enjoying her 15 minutes.” He’s referring to Sydney Elaine Leathers, who recently shot a masturbatory porn video. Valid Q: Will Weiner ever watch it?

Cantankerous Jay Rosen compares FNC’s Ed Henry to a dog

“Ed Henry is hilarious! So transparent. Like a cellophane puppy dog desperate for a pat on the head. (If you’re watching WH press conference)” — Blogger, prof and fantastically smug Jay Rosen.

Politico Playbook Publish Time: 8:48 a.m.

Journo vexed by computer mishap

“Not good tech backup plan: LONG wait at @westelmgeorgetown. Internet down. No plan for when this happens?” — Politico‘s Anna Palmer.

Convo Between Two Journos

This morning’s conversation is between WaPo’s Clinton Yates and nbcwashington.com Contributor Chuck Thies.

YATES: I just don’t consider phone use selfish.

THIES: @clintonyates, YOU don’t. But if it diminishes the experience of a nearby moviegoer, it is polite to refrain. #MyFartsDontSmell

Travel Bitches

“@united flight delayed due to lack of ice and beverages. It’s a 75m trip. Who the f cares? Can’t wait for @USAirways to join OneWorld.” — Reason Magazine’s Preston Cornish.

The Adviser

“Seriously @KrisJenner? You might wanna chill on this one when @KimKardashian’s claim to fame is a sex tape. Just keep it moving.” — TV One morning host and syndicated columnist Roland Martin.

“They are creepy creeps who don’t know they got a problem.” — CNN Contributor Ana Navarro on “New Day” this morning regarding New York mayoral hopeful Anthony Weiner and San Diego Mayor Bob Filner remaining in their respective race and political position.

She has a point.

“Anybody that says ‘TMI’ to me on twitter is failing at the internet.” — Daily Beast columnist and “Raising McCain’s” Meghan McCain. But can she maybe cut down on the exclamation points? “I’M SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT’S SO COOL!!!! So proud (tomorrow is the last day of filming, emotions are at an all time high)!”

The Media Observer

“By my count, Pres Obama has held 123 press availabilities since taking office of which 24 were formal, solo WH news conferences.” — CBS White House Radio Correspondent Mark Knoller.

Forget happy hour. Try anchovies!

“Certain days can only be fixed with anchovies at 2 Amys.” — Washingtonian Style Editor Kate Bennett.

The Media Observer

“Wolf Blitzer right now doing some hard reporting on ‘BEYONCE’S NEW DO.’” — Mother Jones Washington Bureau’s Asawin Suebsaeng.

Politico Playbook Publish Time: 6:17 a.m.

Convo Between Two Media Types

This morning’s conversation is between NBC’s Andrew Rafferty and Tim Murphy, executive director of America Rising PAC and former Huntsman and GOP flack.

RAFFERTY: When I told @anthonyweiner I was covering his campaign he told me to “You gotta get a hobby””

MURPHY: May I suggest chatroulette?

TOO SOON? “Found this while cleaning out some files today. Heh” — Ben Freed, who was fired as Editor-in-Chief of DCist this week for defying a boss’s orders about spiking a freelance story he wrote for BuzzFeed. Earlier in the day Wednesday Freed wrote, “I appreciate all the kind tweets, DMs, and emails. I thought @ErikWemple’s piece about what happened was totally fair.” Of course he thought it was “fair.” WaPo‘s Wemple defended the reporter who defied a directive from a boss by discussing standards set by the Washington City Paper, which is all well and good but for the fact that Freed was not fired for freelancing; he also no longer works for WCP. Wemple left a gaping hole in his story on Freed, jumping right from the publisher, Jake Dobkin, asked for the BuzzFeed story to be spiked to… “It ran.” Good going! But why should details matter to Wemple, who picks and chooses whom he defends based on an elusive criteria that’s hard to comprehend. He recently gave quite the easy time to a “publisher” who invented a story because she wished it was true. What’s not to like? Wemple later posted a letter from Freed which solved the mystery he could have clarified in his original post seeing as the letter from Freed circulated well before Wemple’s breaking story published. Freed wrote, “While the feedback on the piece has been largely positive, Jake had asked me to tell BuzzFeed to spike the article, but they and I went ahead with the decision to run it. I knew Jake would not be pleased, but I did not think this would be his recourse.” They and I? Hmmm so nice of Wemple to defend Freed on purposefully defying his boss based on standards at a publication where both he and Freed previously worked.

Workplace weirdness

“The co-worker who doesn’t want me following his twitter, follows ME on twitter! And we kind of are friends. That is why it’s weird.” — ABC7′s Stephen Tschida.

Reporters fall prey to goat pitch

“Congressional cemetery goat bounce piece: Reporters more susceptible to press releases in August.” — CNN’s Zach Wolf. Speaking of goat stories…“ITK: Goats graze the Congressional Cemetery…which leads me to this uber important q: Do goats “bahh?” Just sheep?” — The Hill‘s Judy Kurtz, who links to this story. The Hill’s Associate Editor Niall Stanage replied, saying,  “I believe they bleat, officially. And thank you for provoking me to Google ‘noise Goats make.’” And Yahoo! News‘s Chris Moody: “I got hit with poison ivy while chasing goats around the Congressional Cemetery. WORTH IT.”

TMI?

“Many have asked about Twitter’s verification process. Not too difficult, though urine test was embarrassing.” — “Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak.

Words to Live By

“Give us your tired, your weary, your Zuckers.” — Mother Jones reporter Tim Murphy.

Reporter shares slice of life

“My 7 y/o in preparation for married life always tells me: ‘Daddy I really don’t like being asked how my day was.’”

Journo admits confusing actresses

“I mistook Glenn Close for Meryl Streep at Dem Nat’l convention in LA once. I was mortified, she laughed. Can relate.” — Albuquerque Journal Washington Bureau Chief Michael Coleman, who links to this post in which a fan confuses Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg. “Humble and hilarious, we just gained more respect for Marky Mark,” writes HuffPost in a post that’s neither humble nor hilarious.

Politico Playbook Publish Time: 9:01 a.m.

Another view of This Town

“Working my way thru #ThisTown, but it’s a grind. Are the only people in ‘this town’ Democrats & @JohnMcCain (which, you know, close enough)?” — NJC’s Hannah Jackman.

Your daily dose of wisdom

“The best reporters get angry when they’re lied to, not when they’re criticized.” — Former HuffPost scribe Dan Froomkin.

Journo likes Cohen’s column on infidelity

“So. I quite like that Richard Cohen column, actually. #NotASlatePitch” — The Hill Associate Editor Niall Stanage. If you haven’t read it and want to, find it here.

TV host braces herself for nasty tweets

“The tweets about how I look or my weight frames exactly the pressure on women in this industry- I rightfully gained weight and here it comes.” — MSNBC “Morning Joe” Co-host Mika Brzezinksi, who wrote the book Obsessed, in which she opens up about her volatile relationship with food. National Journal‘s SVP of Advertising Mark Walters weighs in…”You look great @morningmika screw the haters!!” And from Co-host Joe Scarborough: “There may be a lot of angry people on Twitter but they are on the extremes. Ignore the haters and focus on the new friends you can make.”

Journo stuck in more ways than one

“If there’s anything worse than being stuck in traffic and needing to use the restroom, I don’t want to know about it!” — C-SPAN Digital and Social Media Specialist Jeremy Art.

Words to live by….“Newsprint’s biggest advantage? The battery never runs low.” — Baron‘s James McTague.

Newsflash: “By contract Washington Post management stays in place at least a year.” — Bruce Johnson, anchor for CBS’s WUSATV-9.

Important Q to Ponder: “Is Jay stealing all our news conference questions for later this week?” — Reuters White House Correspondent Steve Holland.

Quote Taken Entirely Out of Context

“@DanaPerino u are a weiner enabler. Obviously u have drugged jasper and forced him into a life of porn. #sick” — FNC’s Greg Gutfeld to colleague Dana Perino.

Obama cancels meeting with Russian Prez Vladmir Putin

Politico breaking news alert: 9:14 a.m.

NYT‘s breaking news alert: 9:53 a.m.

Convo Between Two Journos: The Vagina Monologues 

This morning’s conversation is between Take Part Live Host Jacob Soboroff and The Washington Examiner’s Justin Green.

SOBOROFF: “Just said the V word on @TakePartLive. It’s the fault of Texas police for searching for weed there.”

GREEN: “Vagina. It’s not that hard to say.”

Reporter having TV troubles

“My flat screen is completely going to sh*t. Where should I get a new one?” — TheBlazes‘s Eddie Scarry. Anyone want to donate a new flat screen to Scarry? Get in touch and we’ll get it to him. Write to fishbowldc@mediabistro.com.

Politico Playbook Publish Time: 8:51 a.m.

Morning Wondering: Something to watch over your breakfast of coffee and weed. Politico‘s Dylan Byers may want to look at this – or not.

WaPo sale fallout

“What’s most interesting about Don Graham is how personally interested he is in tech. Unusual both for a newspaperman and a 68-year-old” — Slate‘s Farhad Manjoo.

“Just had a weird experience being interviewed by a Post reporter about the sale; neither of us really seem to know What It All Means.” — WCP Editor Mike Madden waxing philosophical coupled with a little Marty Rudolph capitalizing technique.

“I know this is against the principles of journalism, but can everyone just take a deep breath and relax. Most of us don’t know squat yet.” — WaPo‘s Tim Carman.

“Not sure how head of Amazon turns around an aging newspaper, but Bezos knows a bit about the web. Maybe he just subsidizes good journalism” — Fox News’ Howard Kurtz (still so strange to write that).

“The sale of the Washington Post is probably a good reminder that nobody/nothing is untouchable.” — WTOP’s Neal Augenstein.

“In his letter to the Washington Post, Bezos said that our coverage of restaurant openings is important! I switched beats at the right time.” — WaPo‘s Maura Judkis.

“Based on your previous purchases, Jeff Bezos, you might also like: The Los Angeles Times, The Orlando Sentinel, Newsweek.” — Defense One‘s Marc Ambinder.

Dramatically untrue

“Antigua. Where love goes to die.” — Washingtonian Editor Garrett Graff, who is apparently a big watcher of “The Bachelorette.” But actually Des ends up with Chris. So technically Graff is a bit off.

Convo Between Two Journos

This morning’s conversation is between The Nation’s Katrina vanden Heuvel and NPR’s Kitty Eisele.

vanden HEUVEL: @nprkitty My father– knew Kay and Phil Graham well– reminded me this aft.I call him whenever there are changes I have hard time coping w/

EISELE: @KatrinaNation sounds like our dads would have good chat … there is always change … who knows could be a big lift. someone has to invest

EISELE: @KatrinaNation parents still have moon landing, nixon resignation hard copy issues in attic. I will miss newsprint so much if it goes.

SPOTTED: WaPo‘s Gene Weingarten walking in his Capitol Hill neighborhood last Thursday carrying two bottles of Milk of Magnesia. “He looked pretty unhappy,” said our Tipster. Gene, we sincerely hope you or your loved one are feeling better. One question: You ever heard of a shopping bag? Before you think about Gene on the crapper, he may not have needed it for constipation. The milky magical substance can combat acne and oil absorption, fight dandruff and relieve redness from a rash or burn. In other news about Gene that makes us shudder… he announces on Twitter, “Just got a new MacBook Pro after 4 years. Am having some page-size and no-right-side-scrollbar issues. Is this common?” No doubt he’s been hanging out at the Genius Bar.

Reporter calls cops mid-move

“Saw the guy who had parked in my moving truck spot as I was on hold with the police. He was nice. Said ‘I would have had me towed too.’” — HuffPost‘s Elise Foley.

Memo to pamphlet pushers: Leave her alone!

“People, I am here enjoying my afternoon reading on the Mall. I don’t want your pamphlets. #crankytweets” — Katie Kovach, copy and production editor for CQ Roll Call.

Eavesdrop Café

“10 -year-old to a mom at Pete’s pizza: ‘We’re waiting for daddy. He left his wedding ring at the massage place’” — HuffPost‘s Ryan Grim.

Journo unearths Filner business card

“Cleaning out my desk on my last day @nationaljournal. Wonder how long this will be useful.” — Niraj Chokshi, who is going to WaPo. “This” is a Bob Filner mayoral business card.

CNNer gets ketchup squirted on her dress

“It’s not a party till one of your friends misses the fries and squirts the ketchup on your evening dress at 3am. Lol #Life” — CNN anchor Isha Sesay at 3:30 a.m. Saturday night.

Journalism is…?

“Unable to verify details of Spitzer’s private life, Post simply asking him about it day after day, documenting inquiries as news. Thoughts?” — NYT political reporter Michael Barbaro.

Politico Playbook Publish Time: 7:28 a.m. From the Birthdays section…”David Baldacci, one of John Harris’s favorite authors, is 53″

Work shame

“Bro: who is this Ruby Cramer and why does she have so many more stories than you? Me: she works a lot harder than me. Bro: seems shifty.” — BuzzFeed‘s Kate Nocera.

Did someone say “fished?”

“Just fished Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris. Very funny.” — Politico‘s Jedd Rosche.

Anthony Weiner movie title possibility…a journo writes in to suggest: “A Slow Hand and a Schlong Day”

Peter Ogburn contributed to this report.

We know you’ve all been waiting for some big news today, so here it is.

Summer Superlatives will start again next week. Earlier last month we asked for your nominations in a bunch of categories, and now it’s time to vote.

You can still weigh in on best bangs here, if you haven’t already. We’ll have all the rest, starting Monday. Get ready.

“This ad on the Metro certainly caught my attention.” — USA Today travel writer Nancy Trejos.

WJLA employee on Robert Allbritton‘s sale of the TV station to Sinclair: “”Monday was a pretty big shock to the staff and now we are adjusting to the news. Sinclair has a certain reputation that looms over it, but we’ve been told today’s Sinclair is not the Sinclair of five years ago. There are a lot of questions about what it all means for us. … People in the newsroom have talked about receive messages from people in the business expressing their condolences.” And another WJLA employee: “My initial reaction was dread! ABC7 is the most relaxed, comfortable, fun newsroom I have ever worked in. Sinclair’s reputation is frightening. Those of us who have been around a while are more worried about the younger employees. Afraid of layoffs. But now i am more philosophical, and management is working to sooth fears and reassure employees.”

WEINER’S DOING WHAT? In case you missed the news…BuzzFeed will host Anthony Weiner at “BuzzFeed Brews” on August 12 in Manhattan at The Ainsworth, where Editor-in-Chief Ben Smith will interview Weiner for 45 minutes. They say the topic matter will be “wide-ranging.” Thank God. The interview will livestream on YouTube and BuzzFeed.com.

Unforgettable Thursday headline in WaPo…

See the story here.

NPR hires media critic…According to a release, media critic Eric Deggans is joining NPR News as a TV critic and correspondent. Deggans, a longtime TV and media critic at the Tampa Bay Times, begins reporting fulltime for NPR in October. Today he will be honored at the National Association of Black Journalists annual convention as the recipient of its 2013 Arts & Entertainment Task Force Legacy Award, given to a veteran A&E journalist who has set an example for others in the field.

In defense of two TV journalists

“Yes, I will do everything to defend @SharylAttkisson & @jaketapper b/c they are a dying breed. Don’t give them shit or I will bitch at you.” – Breitbart News‘ Mary Chastain.

LET SLEEPING DOG LIE: “Someone is very happy to be home and sleeping in a bed unlike those barbarians at doggy boarding.” — Politico’s Christine Delargy, who formerly wrote for FBDC. 

Was it really OTR?

“It was definitely on record. We’ve had two senior editors from our organization who scrutinized ever aspect of this story. There’s no question it was an on the record conversation.” — TPM‘s Hunter Walker, author of the story in which New York mayoral hopeful Anthony Weiner‘s Spokeswoman Barbara Morgan called ex-campaign intern Olivia Nuzzi a series of insults that are now part of her Twitter feed, as pictured here. Walker told the above to MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell last night on his program.

Eavesdrop Cafe

“Adventures in weird first date eavesdropping: ‘you’re just not into topography enough’” — BuzzFeed D.C. Bureau Chief John Stanton. He added, “I mean, who has map reading as a relationship deal breaker? I have my orienteering merit badge but that shit ain’t a fetish.”

Please, Politico, can he do this?

“If it were socially acceptable to Tweet nothing but Seinfeld lines I’d do it. And drape myself in velvet.” — Politico‘s Ben White.

The Observer

“My Twitter feed seems drunker than usual tonight. People sprung early for the impending congressional recess?” — Garance Franke-Ruta, senior editor, The Atlantic.

AC confusion?

“Air conditioning debate rages – if one says turn it down, that can mean make it warmer (as in turn down the fan).” — Dana Perino, Co-host of FNC’s “The Five.” She explained, “Husband asks why I don’t say ‘reduce’ the air conditioning …but that also can be confusion and mean make it colder! #ack!”

Father Glenn

“Now entering the lives being destroyed phase of the Weiner crack-up. Anyone getting their jollies off of this now is pretty much a sadist,” Politico‘s Glenn Thrush, whose Twitter feed has taken a decidedly preachy turn as of late. We love his passion.

Journo has karaoke advice

“The next time you think of kareoking Jason Mraz’s ‘I’m Yours’, don’t. Leave it be.” — Political blogger Dave Catanese. As some may recall, Catanese once won the highest award at a karaoke contest so he may know what he’s talking about.

Navarro says Matthews out of line…

“I’m no fan of Cruz, but this is way over the line.” — CNN’s Ana Navarro on MSNBC’s Chris Matthews calling Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) a “political terrorist.”

Politico Playbook Publish Time: 8:29 a.m.

Coworker Love

“Why @NikkiSchwab is the best co-worker ever: She sends out all-staff emails letting us know about #FreeSmoothieDayDC tomorrow!! ” — Red Alert Politics News Editor Kelsey Osterman on Nikki Schwab.

Confessional.

“ICYMI: ‘Anthony Wiener is a needy little bitch.’ (Not judging, b/c so am I.)” — The Atlantic‘s Scott Stossel, linking to Sydney Elaine Leather‘s appearance on the Howard Stern show in which she calls Weiner a “needy little bitch.”

QUESTIONS OF THE HOUR: “Why does she forgive him? Why is it okay with her?” — MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinksi on “Morning Joe” today on Huma Abedein forgiving husband Anthony Weiner for his marital sexting dalliances. And Daily Beast‘s Tina Brown: “These guys have to keep themselves in check. What is the opposite of Viagra? …I just think it’s the disease of our times.”

GOODBYE OLD NPR 1.0: “I walk this way every day and have never seen this view – gbye NPR 1.0″ — WaPo‘s Jackie Kucinich.

Journo’s inner conflict involves Hooters

“Conflicting email of the day: Invite to the ‘annual Hooters Charity Golf Tournament in aid of the Autism Society of Northern Virginia.’” — WaPo‘s Carlos Lozada.

Journo says Weiner obsessed with penis (Um, redundant?)

“NYC truly has rebounded from some tough times. I wonder which ones Anthony Weiner thinks are comparable to his obsession with his own penis.” — The Hill‘s Sam Baker.

Reporter gets sucked into depths of YouTube

“I go on YouTube to watch a clip from the Colbert Report. 6 hours later and I’m watching a tutorial on how to speak dolphin. #BlackHole” — TWT‘s Jessica Chasmar.

Confessional.

“Been busy wasting time reporting and writing. What’s going on here on the twizzlers?” — Politico‘s Ben White.

Amazing use of profanity

“Morgan also reportedly called Olivia Nuzzi, a intern on Weiner’s mayoral campaign, a “bitch,” “twat,” and “cunt.” Nuzzi appeared on the cover of the Daily News Tuesday morning for a story she wrote about what she described as her less-than-desirable experience working for the Weiner campaign earlier this year.” — BuzzFeed story on Weiner spokesman calling ex-intern a number of choice names.

Wishful thinking? “The best part is going to be Weiner firing his spox because of course you can’t treat young women crudely and expect to work there.” — MSNBC political reporter Benjy Sarlin.

AnonymASS to FBDC: “You guys suck, DCRTV rules!” Dear ASS (or Dave Hughes) whatever the case may be), I’m not just saying this,  if Hughes is your hero you might want to get your head examined. We hope it’s not a tumor.

Politico Playbook Publish Time: 9:18 a.m.