Quotes of the Day

“I think we have enough beer. Maybe not?” — Politico‘s Ginger Gibson.

“The logo has since been changed. Too bad the candidate can’t be changed.” — MSNBC “Hardball” host Chris Matthews on ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner’s skyline screwup on his campaign website.

Boss sends reporter directions to his office

“Boss sent me an invite on Google calendar. Invite helpfully offers me directions to his office, up 4 floors. Thanks, Google.” — National Journal “The Hotline’s” Editor-in-Chief Reid Wilson.

It is what it is…is what it is

“Phrase that should be banned: “It is what it is.” — WaPo‘s Ben Pershing, who linked to this story in WaPo in which Weiner employed the phrase in reaction to women who may come forward with more pictures.

JMart gets new handle  

“Thanks for all the love, folks. Means a lot. New handle: @jmartNYT” — Politico‘s Jonathan Martin, who, as previously reported, landed a new gig at the NYT. We do hope he’ll still be the go-to Twitter guide for 13-year-old girls.

Bad job interview memories…

“Had the most humiliating job interview of my life at ESPN. Good times.” — Mother Jones‘ Nick Baumann.

Convo Between Two Journos

NYT‘s Michael Barbaro: Weiner on Politico today: ““Actual people don’t read that”

Politico‘s Glenn Thrush: “Guess we under-covered his long list of legislative accomplishments.”

IRS Press Office is crap

“I love how all this Lerner stuff is coming from other sources, not the IRS’ utterly unhelpful press office.” – Politico‘s Byron Tau.

Editor has advice for politicians 

“#Protip for pols trying to avoid making news with an answer to a tough question. Start with ‘my position has always been…’” — BuzzFeed Political Editor McKay Coppins.

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Quotes of the Day

“Is he about anything other than himself?” — MSNBC “The Cycle’s” Krystal Ball on Lawrence O’Donnell‘s program last night on potential voter trust issues with ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner‘s (D-N.Y.) mayoral bid.

You know your life is out of control when…

“Not remembering whether you’ve said something to public on Twitter, to friends on Facebook, or to self in lipstick on bathroom mirror.” — WaPo feature writer Dan Zak.

Confessional.

“I’m a cynical, grouchy old coot, but I reliably get something in my eye whenever I hear a ‘hero teacher protects kids’ story.” — Yahoo! News’ Olivier Knox.

Larry King is on fire

“Back in #Washington – been away a long time – can’t believe how hot it is today but I love this city” — Former CNNer Larry King.

Leaning in (or something?)

“Well-behaved women rarely make history but they do make deadline. Sometimes.” — WaPo arts reporter Katherine Boyle, whose Twitter background color could blind you if you stare too long.

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Quotes of the Day

“This headline writer should get a bonus.” — WaPo’s Karen Tumulty of a headline this week in LAT.

WTF?

“Every time I work outside I’m reminded that mosquitos [sic]:Kevin::Kevin:chicken fried steak. And bug spray must be like cream gravy or something because it has no effect.” — Townhall Managing Editor Kevin Glass, who apparently uses bug spray on his steak.

Uh oh.

“Dear God, glitch in condo quest! Keep fingers crossed, trying to work things out. Kids I can’t take another disappointment…” — ABC7′s Stephen Tschida, who has been through the wringer with his search for a condo.

Wrap your head around this…

“Carol Burnett to receive Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.” — WaPo Book World Editor Ron Charles.

“I award @RonCharles the Carol Burnett Prize for American Humor.” — Reuters‘ Jack Shafer.

Bureau Chief gets touch of road rage 

“Oh my god, this traffic is soul crushing. …I don’t know how people drive to work. I’d murder all the things if I had to do this.” — BuzzFeed Bureau Chief John Stanton on Tuesday evening.

WTF Part II

“So, I know I’ve been going on all day about graduations, but something crazy just happened on FB, and I had to immediately defriend someone. Am I crazy for this? When is it ever really appropriate to hit someone with a ‘yo you didnt call me?’ if y’all don’t really talk?” — WaPo Express‘ Clinton Yates. First off, yes, Yates, you’re crazy for this. Dear Readers, we tried in vain to get the complete story out of him last night as to what happened here, but failed miserably. Either his story sucks or we don’t get it. We’re willing to concede both. But you’ve been warned. Go “trolling” in the vicinity of Yates on social media and you could be defriended, blocked, etc…

Learning the lingo 

“I also learned that ‘Katie Holmes’ Knee Vagina?’ is an actual headline.” — Jazz Shaw, weekend editor at Hot Air.

Katie Holmes photo credit: TMZ

Quotes of the Day

“News helicopters being told to back off because HWY Patrol can’t hear people crying for help #tornado #oklahoma” — Robin Marsh, news anchor in Oklahoma City.

Fallout: Bring Up Politics at Your Own Risk 

“I’m a douche low-life scumbag jackhole ghoul for noting Coburn already wants offsets to fed aid and Inhofe is climate change denier.” – Politico‘s Glenn Thrush, who got bombarded when he wrote this: “It’s striking that OK’s sens are 1) a federal spending skeptic and 2) global warming denier.” In response to the above, Kristina Ribali, director of new media at Freedom Works remarked: “@GlennThrush I didn’t say you were slamming them, I said you were being an ass. Have some class.” Labor reporter F. Bill McMorris wrote simply, “#douche.”

Did someone speak too soon? 

“Thank God tragedies like this one in OK bring out the highest and best in everyone – politicians, first responders, government, media.” — CNBC and NYT‘s John Harwood.

More media in-fighting…

The Nation‘s Katrina vanden Heuvel: “If GOP going to use IRS ‘scandal’ to demolish government,they may wish to look at need for very same government in Oklahoma tornado disaster.”

National Review Online‘s Jonah Goldberg: “.@KatrinaNation what’s really in poor taste how your point is so pedestrian and lame. Why bother? Jeez.”

The Day After: “It is always the next day when the sun comes up that we learn the extent of the horror.” — Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren.

And a few confessionals…

“Sometimes the disaster voyeurism on Twitter makes me uncomfortable.” — Blake Hounshel, managing editor of Foreign Policy mag.

“I lost some family that meant a lot to me in the AL tornadoes. Think I’ll clock out of coverage for the evening and pick it up in the AM.” — FBDC Contributor and Bill Press‘ producer Peter Ogburn.

“The partisanship in the wake of tragedy stuns me.” — WaPo‘s Chris Cillizza.

The Preacher

“When you turn your TV off and stop tweeting tonight — stop. Sit in peace. Too many people don’t have that tonight.” — WaPo producer Jeff Simon.

Emotions on high: A Variety of Calls for Prayer

• “Terrifying photo of tornado damage nyti.ms/10R5Ly2 May the dead rest in peace. May survivors get help to heal and rebuild.” – Conor Friedersdorf, staff writer for The Atlantic.

“Worst part about Oklahoma news is you know it’s going to get worse. And that’s just heartbreaking. #PrayForOklahoma” — Rory Cooper, communications director to House Maj. Leader Eric Cantor.

• “The sad news from Oklahoma keeps rolling in. Everyone at TheDC is thinking of the folks affected, & will keep you in our thoughts & prayers.” — The Daily Caller.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Oklahoma tonight. #okc” — Newt Gingrich.

Uh oh.

“CIA source says Fox News scandal the ’4th Shoe’; says it goes much deeper; says WH also sitting on “something” that has top aides terrified.” — Drudge Report and TWT Columnist Joseph Curl.

GOP Spox Prediction: 60 Minutes to land first Obama interview

“White House/Obama scandal tsunami is growing. Odds that the White House offers Steve Kroft the first POTUS interview?” — NRSC Strategist/Spokesman Brad Dayspring in an unfortunate display of using a weather analogy on the wrong day.

Rubin Vs. Shuster

“Watching lefty media meltdown re Obama media spying is like a kid finding out Babe Ruth was a drunk. Sorry to disillusion but long overdue.” — WaPo‘s
“Right Turn” blogger Jennifer Rubin.

Shuster guts Rubin like a fish…“When it comes to RWNJ’s, including @JRubinBlogger, who are mentally ill + psychotic, best to ignore them.” — Lefty radio host David Shuster. “[Jennifer Rubin] proves again she is a habitual liar. And, asking @CNN to cut the mic of somebody responding to her lies? Psychotic.”

Bureau Chief takes firm stance on exposed pits

“Phew, getting people blind drunk in bars in order to get them to tell you things isn’t in DOJ’s list of treasonous acts that reporters do.” — BuzzFeed Washington Bureau Chief John Stanton. And this from a few days ago, but we couldn’t resist it: “I’m a firm believer that sleeves are mandatory for dudes in a restaurant situation. Nobody wants your pits exposed near their food.”

Watch out, ladies, your purses are germier than you think

“Not the dinner hour yet so if you carry a purse tune in at 4. Report shows more germs on your purse than a toilet. News4 @nbcwashington.” — Jim Handly, anchor, NBC Washington.

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Quotes of the Day

“Hmm which to choose?” — ABC’s Martha Raddatz with accompanying photograph.

Reader explains “tricks” scribes use to avoid crediting others

On Friday, WaPo‘s Paul Farhi wrote a story on Politico pulling a video that featured Sen. Min. Leader Mitch McConnell‘s (R-Ky.) COS blowing them love kisses. Turns out may that be against Senate rules, as reported by Roll Call‘s Meredith Shiner. So we wrote about Farhi’s failure to adequately cite Shiner and her story.

An Anonymous reader writes in…“Farhi’s failure to credit Roll Call: He use two of the oldest tricks in the book for skating past the explicit crediting of others: Don’t mention at top, but then mention the name of the news breaking organization without crediting them but attributing some small detail to their reporting. Fig leaf covered! The second dodge is when one your “friends” (your editor) tells you, “Farhi, you got beat on something!) Like the immaculate conception, if you hear it from someone else, then it is no longer breaking news!”

Important Question to Ponder: “Does Gray’s Anatomy have to be so bloody?” — FNC’s Greta Van Susteren.

The Observer

“Well, that was a new one: person in our row at Star Trek got up periodically throughout movie to do lunges in aisle.” — Anna Sproul-Latimer, literary agent.

S.E. Cupp finds perfect hamburger

“Found out the @innoutburger by LAX opens at 10:30 am. Plenty of time to grab a double-double animal style before my flight. #Worththetrip” — MSNBC’s S.E. Cupp.

Journo blows off steam

“Getting some aggression out at the driving range….” — Fox News Senate Producer Kara Rowland.

And another tries to recreate his heart attack

“Where is my ambulance? I think this is the widow maker – jk” — Mediaite White House Correspondent Tommy Christopher.

Producer looks to Trumps for finer things in life

“Got fabulous @IvankaTrump shoes this wk & delicious wine from @trumpwinery last wk. They sure make some good stuff. @realDonaldTrump” — WMAL Executive Producer Heather Smith.

Guiding Sophia’s Light

“New Golden Rule 21st Century style: I will do To you before you can do it to me! I will burn you before you can break me. I ain’t no punk.” — Essence and theGrio‘s Sophia Nelson.

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Quotes of the Day

RAINING IN THE ROSE GARDEN: “Overheard: ‘Melt the Press.’ @MarkLandler of NYT pops out a Georgetown umbrella.” — NPR White House Correspondent Ari Shapiro with the accompanying photograph. And NBC’s Luke Russert: “The #Marines holding the umbrellas at this presser are unbelievably cool, had no idea there’s military protocol for umbrella holding.”

Umbrella memories

“In my first job as a sports reporter, my editor had me hold the umbrella over him & his camera on the sidelines. Good times.” — HotAir’s Mary Katharine Ham.

Politico Playbook Publish Time: 5:48 a.m.

From the Dept. of Bragiculture…

“So much happening-impt stuff must be slipping by for bandwidth lack. Just in my niche, turned in 7 stories in past 4 days & 8th mostly done.” — NYT‘s Charlie Savage.

ABC “Scandal” finale fallout

“So Fitz is porking a black woman to bring diversity to the Republican Party? Wow. #StartedFromATwerkNowWereHere” — Javonni Brustow, Washington editor of The DC Pundit.

“Oh damn Fitz just went rogue! And quotes Dillon Thomas to boot!” — Essence and theGrio.com‘s Sophia Nelson.

“Damn, Fitz just went Bulworth on Mellie! @ScandalABC #Gladiators” — Washington Watch and Tom Joyner Show regular Roland Martin.

“When @tonygoldwyn saw this two page monologue for the first time at the table read, he gasped. Then he dove in.” — Scandal creator and writer Shonda Rhimes.

“Mellie is going to fuck everybody. #Scandal” — @emokidsloveme.

“Liv. #shutitdown and call a locksmith.” — Avid “Scandal” watcher Shawna Thomas of NBC News as Olivia Pope nearly gets killed. And later, after Fitz sees a video in which Olivia, his mistress, has sex with another man, she writes, “OK Fitz. She is not a virgin nor your wife and she didn’t know that guy was charged w/ bedding/protecting her. STOP BEING A CHILD.”

“Can’t even type. This ending kills me! #scandalfinale” — Actress Kerry Washington, who plays Olivia Pope.

“Lemme get this straight, the season finale of Scandal is on during #ScandalWeek? THIS TOWN” — TPM Assistant Editor Igor Bobic.

Brian’s Stelter’s walk on the moon

“I vividly remember my first time watching ‘The Office.’ It was May 2005, on my laptop, on a train from Baltimore to NY.” — NYT‘s Brian Stelter. And were you simultaneously monitoring your Tumblr account, Facebooking, and checking your MySpace?

The power of ass kissing

“The power of @carr2n: He tweets your story and you get 126 clicks in 15 minutes.” — Slate‘s Jack Shafer in reference to NYT‘s David Carr.

Journo annoyed by mouth breather

“This kid who is mouth breathing next to me really needs to get off the train. Can’t deal. #imsoannoying” — Roll Call‘s Emily Cahn.

Unnecessary Tweet of the Day

“Intrigued by Cool Ranch tacos tho I’m normally not a Taco Bell fan & hearing cool ranch flavor gets overwhelmed by filling. Anybody tried?” — Washington Examiner‘s Philip Klein.

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Quotes of the Day

LAPCHILD ALERT: “Mel Watt has a toddler on his lap, name of ‘Nico.’” — Politico‘s Glenn Thrush.

“As I think Mark Twain said, trust leaves on horseback and returns on foot. … A president leads by persuasion, not command.” — Former Defense Sec. Donald Rumsfeld last night on CNN’s “Piers Morgan Live” on the current state of White House scandals and the concept of a Benghazi coverup.

Memo to world: Keep your smoke to yourself

“I AM SO SICK OF INHALING YOUR CANCER SMOKE AT BUS STOPS PEOPLE. Have some class. That is all.” — Reuters Amanda Becker.

Important Q to Ponder: “Is it technically plagiarism if they only took half a sentence? How about if they use your half sentence to buttress an incorrect assertion?” — Megan McArdle, special correspondent for Newsweek/Daily Beast.

Deep thoughts with Michael Scherer

“Ironies: Benghazi/IRS may help pass immigration reform; AP subpoena may help pass shield law.” — TIME‘s Michael Scherer.

KATIE WEIGHS IN (so to speak): “A great shot of @morningmika, Katie Couric and Diane Smith during the taping of an hour special on Mika’s book.”

TV Critics/Observers

“Shep Smith is a conservative cockblock — going from red meat Obama scandal coverage to Jodi Arias.” — The Daily Caller‘s Jeff Poor.

“Chris Matthews is the whitest cracker to ever come out of the Pillsbury Dough Boy’s rear end. Funny to hear him scream racism.” — RedState Editor and Fox News Contributor Erick Erickson.

“I feel Wolf Blitzer‘s pain, having to transition from WH coverage to Jodi Arias sentencing.” — NJ “The Hotline’s” Josh Kraushaar.

“Modern cable dilemma: will CNN stick w/OJ Simpson, or switch to AG Holder when Judiciary hearing starts?” — CNBC and NYT‘s John Harwood.

Deep Thinker 

“Amazing thing abt Angelina Jolie: she managed to keep quiet treatment in @nytimes, & cover Time mag. DC needs her.” — CNN’s Jonathan Wald, who runs Piers Morgan Live.

Putting it all into perspective

“Shitty day? Hey, at least you didn’t get fired by the president of the United States on national television for something you didn’t do.” — Stefan Becket, who handles social media and writes for “The Intelligencer” blog for New York magazine.

Eddie Scarry contributed to this report.

Quotes of the Day

Haters tell reporter he’s fat, bald and looks like an egg

On Monday afternoon, The Daily Beast‘s Eli Lake wrote a story about his haters. The headline: “Dear Twitter Haters: I, Eli, Love Your Passion” The deck: “When haters hate, love can put them in their place, writes egg man Eli Lake.”

 An excerpt: “The crank is obsessed with an issue, while the hater is obsessed with a person. For some reason, I have attracted quite of few them. Haters on Twitter like to tell me that I am bald; that I am fat; that I look like an egg; that I am really a stealth agent for Israel or the Republic of Georgia; and that I am responsible for the murder of innocents in Iraq, Gaza, and Syria.”

Media critic abhors media group think

“I still hate media #GroupThink, even when they are piling on Obama. stop RTing each other and start talking to sources #InvestigateSomething.” — Fox News media critic and former Mitt Romney Spokesman Richard Grenell.

Convo Between Two Journos

This morning’s conversation is between Politico’s Jordan Fabian and Roll Call’s Meredith Shiner.

FABIAN: “@meredithshiner Is it kosher to prostitute myself for lobster lasagna?”

SHINER: “@Jordanfabian the lord gives special dispensation for the days immediately proceeding sports-induced trauma.”

Your chance to win a dorky HuffPost tote bag!

“Yay! We’ve reached 3 million followers on Twitter! RETWEET for your chance to win a HuffPost tote” — HuffingtonPost. For the next 30 days each day they’ll pick a winner at random. So watch out for the hashtag, #hpheartsyou.

Anonymous email to FBDC: “Yes, Boyle. If you spew enough shit, you’re bound to hit the toilet eventually.” — In response to story on Breitbart News’ Matthew Boyle chastising the media for being so slow on Attorney Gen. Eric Holder‘s evil ways.

Worst name for TV this week: David Finkelhor. He appeared on CNN’s “The Lead” Tuesday afternoon. He heads up the Crimes Against Children Research Center.

Quotes of the Day

“Smoke was coming out of my phone yesterday.” — NBC “TODAY” Show’s Savannah Guthrie on announcing her engagement to Michael Feldman Monday.

Editor wants to prank house sitter

“Friend stayed @ our house while we were away. Thinking of removing all furniture & taking photos, telling him, ‘You forgot to lock the door!’” — WaPo Book World Editor Ron Charles.

Postcard to DOJ

“Dear DOJ: my email password is “GoScrewYourselves’” — Daily Beast Contributor Justin Green in reaction to news that DOJ secretly obtained phone records of AP reporters and editors.

Important Q to Ponder: “Can’t we just ban talking points altogether? Or would that just confuse everyone?” – NYT‘s Mark Leibovich, who has a book coming out this summer that isn’t worrying anyone (wink wink).

Journo followed strange source rules

“In Belfast, had source who wouldn’t let me call or email. Ever. I had to go to house, but not park o/side. Got to know his wife & kids well.” — Toby Harnden, Washington Bureau Chief of The Sunday Times.

The Fashion Hound

“No one on television has better ties than Brian Williams. (And that’s what really counts.)” — Politico‘s Roger Simon.

WORST HEADLINE OF THE WEEK

By HuffPost‘s Jason Linkins

Paranoia Strikes

• “Someone walking n th bldg behind me who asked wt floor I live on last time. If they do it again I’m running down th hall yelling STRANGER!” — Editor of The DC Pundit Javonni Brustow.

• “Have never been this terrified of the sound of an approaching ice cream truck. Got the feeling it’s secretly a black helicopter.” — Justin Green.

Words to live by or casting call for Bad Girls Club?

“I love bad bitches.” — Meghan McCain.

World crumbles as reporter’s TV show is not on and, by far, the strangest news of the day concerning a Politico reporter.

Read more

Quotes of the Day

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY: Mother’s Day at Nats Park w @LukeRsmom beer & dogs 1 price fixed brunch 0.

“Is this Fox News or National Inquirer?” — Rep.-elect Mark Sanford on Fox News Sunday.

Gayle King in leopard panties

“At dc gym w\ fav daughter kirby says your panties are showing I say so she says mom nobody wants to see that & they’re leopard! love kirby!” — CBS’ Gayle King.

The Observer

“Sitting at the bar. Watching a girl tweeze her eyebrows #saturdaynighthustle” — Roll Call HOH’s Neda Semnani.

Fish out of water

“At a party in Virginia with people who aren’t on the internet all week and haven’t seen all the important gifs. It’s weird. I mean a few of these people don’t even have smart phones.” — Adam Smith, communications director at Public Campaign and PC Action Fund.

Did someone say “fishbowl?”

“Those who think we have to stay in the conservative fishbowl and swap ideas with only each other are KILLING this movement. #BlogCon13″ — Conservative radio host Dana Loesch.

Spotted at the 22nd St. Ritz on Saturday night….WaPo and MSNBC’s Jonathan Capehart with three undisclosed male companions headed to the bar.

A Mother’s Day warning

“Don’t burn down the house gentlemen.” — Chef Geoff Tracy, i.e. Mr. Norah O’Donnell.

And a more emotional reaction to Mother’s Day…

“Thinking about everything my mother has done for her children. yup, about to cry.” — National Journal‘s Elahe Izadi.

A question an editor asks himself: “Have I really reached a point in my life where *I’m* the (only) one who thinks playing baseball inside the house is a bad idea?” — U.S. News & World Report‘s Robert Schlesinger.

Gossip and rumors

“Stephanie Cutter was rumored to be heading to #CNN but got a better job: at Bank of America helping it dodge bank regulations.” — Paul Brandus of West Wing Reports and The Week.

TV journo gets cussed out

“VMAIL of the day: ‘Hey, jerk off. I don’t appreciate what you said about Ted Cruz. F—ing loser.’ I wonder what prompted that? Hmmm” — Capehart.