How chic. How Charlie Rose. Current TV’s “Full Court Press” radio program went dark this morning as Pepco killed power for the entire building where Bill Press‘s studio is housed in Washington’s Eastern Market neighborhood.

Pepco says “a feeder” went out.  Press was forced to do half his show in the dark.

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“Every year I demand that we go to The Palm and sit under his picture because it’s just so weird and awkward and I love it,” said Peter Ogburn, longtime producer for Press and now a co-host on “Full Court Press.” (Ogburn also contributes to FBDC, so it wasn’t hard to pry details out of him.)

Ogburn recalls with, um, fondness, seven years ago when they first began doing annual Bill Press lunches at The Palm beneath his caricature. This is the year that Ogburn’s underling, Associate Producer Dan Henning, got hammered to the point of lockup.

Ogburn recalls, “Dan is just being a total prick, demanding that he get back behind the bar to make drinks. I was just like, I’m leaving. So embarrassed. He gets a glass bottle of water to bring with him. We get to the Dupont Circle Metro. Dan trips head over heels the whole way down the escalator. I mean, Head. Over. Heels.”

Pausing for a brief interruption: For anyone who knows either Dupont Metro escalator, this is one long-ass ride.

Continuing on, Ogburn says… continued…

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Today we feature what we hope to be one of many pairs of interviews we conduct with journalists from opposing sides of the political spectrum. Can’t we all get along? Of course not. And worse, we’d all be out of business and bored if everyone got along. The purpose here isn’t to foster better feelings between journalists on either end of the spectrum. It’s to see what happens when we bring two opposing forces together, be it a brawl, a handshake or a kiss. We’ll rate the temperature of the interview in flames on a scale of 1 to 10 flames (1 is obviously lukewarm, 10 is get the hell out of the building and fast!).

Our debut guinea pigs are Current TV’s and WeActRadio host David Shuster and TWT Senior Op-ed Columnist Emily Miller. Future interviews may bring the pair together in person or by phone — the feature will evolve. Want to be paired up with a liberal or conservative journalist for an interview or tell us who you’d like to see featured? Write us at fishbowldc@mediabistro.com or Betsy@mediabistro.com.

1. How do you feel being at the Democratic National Convention? Please describe the experience.

Emily: As a conservative, I feel like a fish out of water…. even with the torrential downpours we get everyday. To get interviews, I’ve had to catch people walking between the arena and the convention center. That’s how I got Ashley Judd, Terry McCauliffe and Bill Burton. They are trapped on the narrow sidewalk with the barriers on the inside, so there’s no escape. That said, they have all been very accommodating and gracious in giving the Democratic positions on issues, which I appreciate because hearing from both sides makes for stronger opinion pieces.

David: I feel drained.  The long walk through security each day is horrific.  Seriously, I had an easier time getting into Baghdad’s green zone during Iraq’s civil war then I’ve had getting past the security checkpoints into this convention.

2. What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen?

Emily: I went from a sea of blue blazers and summer shift dresses at the Republican convention in Tampa to Minnie Mouse guy and rainbow angel guy. And I’m too stiff, but I keep getting jolted by people breaking into song and dance in their seats.

David: Five or six concession stand workers were just getting hammered trying to accommodate a lengthy line of delegates and others trying to order food.  A delegate with an AFSCME cap (American Federation of State and County Municipal Employees) started proclaiming in a very loud voice that it was “time to organize and unionize” the concession workers because “after all, this is a Democratic convention.”  Indeed, but maybe the dems should have thought about this ahead of time as opposed to the moment they crave a bobcat burger?

3. Any disturbing moments?
Emily: It’s a shock to see women walking around sporting the “SLUTS VOTE” pins that are being given out by the Illinois delegation.

David:  I was a bit disturbed when a few of the Breitbart folks started flirting with me. Ewwww.

4. Best thing you’ve eaten so far this week?
Emily: The only food in the Time Warner arena is concessions. I managed to hold out on the junk food all day Tuesday, but by the time Rahm Emanuel spoke, I was hungry enough to bite off my own finger. After asking the concessions lady for any grilled options, I finally gave in and ordered fries. I coated them in ketchup and sneaked them in the food-banned arena for Michelle Obama’s speech. I felt her glaring from the stage.

David: The best thing I’ve eaten this week?  Yikes.  I’ve been working around the clock.  And unlike some of my former colleagues at various cable networks, I haven’t had time to sample Charlotte’s finest restaurants.  So, the best thing I’ve eaten is something that I normally avoid — a grilled Nathan’s hot dog.

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“First @CNN liveshot of the day at #scotus . This is the scene in front of the 44 marble steps.” — CNN Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin.

Boybander says ‘vagina’

“6-3 that transvaginal ultrasounds are NBD#otherSCOTUSpredictions” — TPM‘s Brian Beutler in an apparent attempt to be cute on the day of the heightened Supreme Court healthcare ruling. One reader thought it was in “bad taste.” But considering we did an entire feature called “Vagina Journalism” we’re not here to judge.

‘Wish me luck!’

The Atlantic‘s editorial meetings may be about to get a bit livelier. Atlantic Magazine Editor Scott Stossel remarked on Twitter this week, “My son (5) has, unaccountably, started gleefully yelling ‘Wish Me Luck!’ every time he breaks wind. Whole family now adopting the practice.” Our suggestion: Anyone who runs into Stossel today should say the phrase … repeatedly.

Understatement of the Day

“Probably more traffic today than in SB’s first 5 years, combined. So grateful; a little scared. #teamlyle #dontcrash” — SCOTUSblog.

Journo braces for bad hair day

“I have a contingency plan for nearly everything today, but not a power outage at my apartment. Are you ready for my good hair day, SCOTUS?” — Rebecca Berg, NYT political reporting fellow.

Politico publicist has a bad day

“Horrible end to a bad day. #RIPStella” — Politico‘s Olivia Petersen on Wednesday. (Might that have had something to do with Politico‘s suspended bad boy Joseph Williams appearing on The Bill Press Show seemingly without the pub’s knowledge or approval?)

Speaking of Williams…“One thing’s for sure,” noted lefty Bill Press on this morning’s radio show. “The right wing blogs are out to take Joe Williams down or me down or anybody down who gives any indication that they are liberal. Of course they don’t have to guess about me, man. I put it out there everyday.”

HuffPost‘s Jon Ward wonders why NYT’s homepage forgot today’s ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court

Most of Ward’s comments were directed to NYT’s Jim Roberts, Asst. Managing Editor of the NYT, just before 7 a.m. At the time, Roberts was telling followers about a newly created Chinese-language site by the NYT. He never responded to Ward. At 8 a.m. he directed NYT readers to this story on the Supreme Court ruling. At 9 a.m. there was still no indication of the Supreme Court ruling on NYT’s homepage minus a small print blurb at the bottom.

1. “Nothing on NYT front page about #healthcare ruling?” 2. “idk, seems like there should be something: a recap, a rehash, etc. im sure there’s still lotta people tuning in for first time.” 3. “As my old editor used to say, even if you’ve written a story before, there were people who didn’t read it, so write it again.”

Want a friend in London? Forget the dog

“Odd conversation o.t. day: Woman to her dog: ‘You really don’t give a shit about me, do you?’” — Sarah Lyall, a London-based NYT correspondent.

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Politico

But he may not have done himself any favors.

First things first: Williams says he’s still employed with Politico but remains on suspension without pay. He has lawyered up, for what purpose he wouldn’t say. He said he knows his employers respect his work; he said both sides would like to negotiate an agreement to allow him to remain with Politico. He hopes this happens “sooner rather than later.”

Williams acknowledged to host Bill Press that he made “errors in judgment” but pointedly blamed right wing publications such as The Daily Caller and Breitbart.com for relentlessly reporting on Williams’ purported liberal bias. “Certainly they’re in the business of gathering scalps and we’ve seen it,” he said. He said the story quickly became “about him” rather than what he said. This made him uncomfortable.

In review, Williams appeared on MSNBC’s Martin Bashir show last week and said Romney feels more comfortable around white people, he insulted his own publication on Twitter, and wrote penis comments regarding Mitt and Ann Romney. “The words ‘white folks’ set people off like a match to a tinder keg,” Williams told Press.

When Press began to almost counsel Williams on the difference between being a commentator like himself and being a reporter, Williams remarked, “We are paid to observe, but we are not blind.” The host asked if Williams would apologize to Romney. He said if he did that, then “a lot of other people would have to as well.” Further, he said his thoughts on white people are nothing new and that he should not have to apologize: “I probably should have selected my words more carefully. In some people’s minds they were incendiary.”

Press, more than once, called Williams a “friend of the show” and said he hoped it would remain that way. Nonetheless, he wasn’t easy on Williams and asked him what he meant by tweeting that Politico was a “shitburger,” a news nugget first reported by The Daily Caller. Press did not say the word “shit” but it was implied. The reporter said the comment was meant to be private. He was “venting.” He said he fully expected more revelations of embarrassing tweets.

Williams appeared to choose his words carefully this morning, but maybe not carefully enough where Politico is concerned. Politico brass in particular rewards privacy and discretion. He had been previously warned to clean up his act. Williams declared that the Washington Press Corps. as a whole has a problem with minority hires and said Politico is no exception.

Sources tell FBDC that Williams seemed stressed but generally in good spirits on this morning’s live program. He wore bright red Chuck Taylors with a matching red handkerchief in the breast pocket of his dark suit. Noteworthy: He was booked through the phone and not through Politico. Politico was informed of the booking, but did not respond despite being told about his appearance.

Listen to the full interview here.

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So far Williams has not been officially fired, but his Twitter account has been shut down. He has declared himself “done” with Politico and then retracted that to say he was still “in limbo.” Hopefully this program will allow the Washington media and beyond to finally get answers. Williams was suspended last week after making racial comments and tweets against presumed GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney and penis jokes about his wife Ann.

According to a late-night release from Current TV, Press will question Williams about his future with Politico, if he stands by his original comments and why he deleted his twitter account.

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Lefty radio host Bill Press, whose radio show broadcasts on Current TV, is out this week with David Shuster filling in. Shuster let it slip this morning that Press returns on Monday after a “minor procedure.” We hear Press has a hernia. We hope the recovery is swift.

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We recently featured conservative commentator and bestselling author Michelle Malkin on the site. We regularly highlight how she handles her hate mail. We also recently covered her thoughts on Fox & Friends regarding lefty radio host Bill Press declaring his dislike of the Star-Spangled Banner.

AnonymASS writes in:

Betsy,

Are you serious, or are you talking out of your butt here?  Have you ever actually LISTENED to Michelle Malkin?  Yes, she’s perky, attractive (why would anyone attack her looks??), and articulate, but she’s also in desperate need of  20 additional IQ points.  Malkin is on the same plane as Sarah Palin and Adam West.  If it’s an intelligent conservative woman you seek, try Bay Buchanan.

Dear AnonymASS: I try as much as possible to not talk out of my butt. Thanks for writing and for your indefatigable eloquence.

See a previous letter written to FBDC by this same author back in March after Andrew Breitbart died and I wrote a farewell piece on him. And to answer the author’s question, yes, I took exactly one philosophy class in college.

continued…

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Meanwhile, conservative commentator and bestselling author Michelle Malkin went on Fox & Friends to blast Press’s stance against the Star-Spangled Banner. After they played the clip in which Press says the song is two octaves too high, Malkin eviscerates him.

“I didn’t realize Bill Press was still on the air,” she snapped. “I think the last time he was relevant was when Bill Clinton was in office. …I think it’s a desperate attempt for attention…I think there’s a teachable moment there about how much hostility these people [presumably liberals] have for patriotism in this country. You know what, Bill Press? Go ahead and compose the moral equivalent of the apologist’s citizen of the world anthem and see how many people sing that at the next baseball game. Good luck with that, man!”

Fox & Friends host Gretchen Carlson also thinks this is a “teachable moment.” She pointed out that when she teaches the words of the anthem to her children (she really does this?) that she doesn’t stop to explain to them that other nation’s are also brave in response to the line “home of the brave.” She added, “Let’s say and sing these words with dignity, but that’s just me.”

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On his program he remarked, “First of all, it ranges two octaves; most people can only do, kind of, one octave,” Press said on his show. “I mean when you think about it, it’s bombs bursting in air, rocket’s red glare.”

The headline slapped on The Daily Caller TV writer Jeff Poor‘s story called the moment “stupid and embarrassing” and the writer remarked that it “probably won’t win him any fans on the right.”

Since voicing his dislike of the song, a frothy mix of Wisconsin recall emails and notes from other angry souls has rolled into Press’s mailbox.

Here’s a sampling…

Subject line: You make me sick.

• “Get the hell out of the country you liberal traitor.”

Subject line: nah, nah, nah, nah

• “Ha Ha Told you! We won because we have the lord Jesus Christ on our side. As Scott Walker won last night, Mitt Romney will crush the illegal, non-citizen (Obama) and anyone who stands in our way, including the likes of you, you infidells!!!”

Subject line: Star Spangled Banner

• “You are everything that true Americans despise.  Those of use who have given life and limb for you to spout your stupid words wish you moved to anothe rcountry who hates us, you un-American piece of garbage. PS:  take Danny Glover and Sean Penn with you.”

And our favorite…

Subject line: You, You Bastard

“So you hate the National Anthem.  Fuck you you ignorant liberal son of a bitch.  I hope you die a horrible death SOON.  Now you know why so many people HATE LIBERAL FOOLS LIKE YOU.  YOU MOTHERFUCKING ASSHOLE.”

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Darn tooting?

Even resident feces expert WaPo‘s Gene Weingarten, who has a giant piece of poop for his avatar, picked up on it. He cracked, “Tim Graham just wrote: ‘Darn tooting’! How conservative can a man BE?”

No joke, we recently reported that Graham confused the terms “flatulent” and “highfalutin.” As we reported, he was criticizing lefty radio host Bill Press for calling Ann Romney‘s hideous fish shirt “highfalutin” since it cost her $990.

Happy tooting Graham. We’re here if you need us, but from a distance.

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Politico Dylan Byers’ “sexy-ass” beard gets noticed

“@DylanByers Dylan, I saw u this AM on Bill’s show. WOW! U look better than the avatar. Nice hair, a sexy-ass beard. I luv a man w/a beard.” –unknown female named Rhonda. Byers appeared on Current TV’s Bill Press radio program Tuesday morning. Above is Dylan with and without his beard. Just like Fox News, we report, you decide. Tell us what you prefer at FishbowlDC@mediabistro.com.

Weather Blues

“Hopefully the rain will stop soon! It can make your day quite depressing.” — The Daily Caller‘s Pat McMahon. (This was yesterday, so hopefully Pat is enjoying the sunshine today.)

Baier trying to drop poundage

“Good morning – long exhausting workout this morning. Trying to drop some lbs – got to keep at it! Thoughts on the day?” — FNC’s Bret Baier.

Stop the Presses!

“@SophiaRedefined urgent call me on my cell phone right now!” –  American Urban Radio White House Correspondent April Ryan to Sophia Nelson, a columnist for NBC’s theGrio.com.

Deep Thoughts With Katherine Kennedy

“Having a bad day? I double dog dare you to compliment three people. Guaranteed to turn that frown upside down #giveback #keepinspiring.” — Katherine Kennedy, who describes herself as a “social impact investor” by day and “prevent cancer advocate” by night.

Viewer likes Michelle Fields for her brains, obviously

“My new big time crush from the political genre is @michellefields. She is such a babe.” — a PR intern in Scottsdale, Ariz. Ian Zymarakis referencing The Daily Caller‘s video journo Michelle Fields. This picture is from Michelle’s recent appearance on Fox News.

Whoa! Blogger talks to his wife

“Just spent an entire hour talking to Mrs. Other McCain. #DoesntHappenOftenEnough” — conservative blogger Robert Stacy McCain.

From the Dept. of Bragiculture…“My two-year-old likes the PBS Newshour. #nerdbrag” — Author Steve Edwards. This was RT by NewsHour.

Peter Ogburn contributed to this report.

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“The @bpshow Restroom For Narcissists. Perfect for me.” — Mediaite‘s White House Correspondent Tommy Christopher snaps a picture and jokes about the bathroom he encountered during an early morning appearance on Current TV Bill Press‘s radio/TV program.

This is the bathroom for the entire third floor. A little birdy whose name starts with p and ends with r tells us he stole the “n” from the door. Clearly an act of juvenile delinquency.

Special memo to Tim Graham from NewsBusters: In case you are confused, Peter Ogburn, an FBDC writer, is also the producer for The Bill Press Show. Graham was recently riled when we pointed out his confusion between the words “flatulent” and “highfalutin.” Despite me being the writer, his only point of contention was why didn’t we “disclose” that Ogburn works for Bill Press, a fact we have stated repeatedly on the site. Graham wrote that Press had called Ann Romney‘s  ugly, pricey fish shirt “flatulent” as opposed to what Press really said, which was “highfalutin.” No, Graham, Romney’s shirt did not pass gas.

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