As reporters started the scramble out of South Carolina, many ran into airline delays and travel nightmares. Naturally, many of them took to Twitter to complain. But, one of the worst stories came from poor John Dickerson. The Political Director for CBS News just wanted to get out of Columbia EARLY on Sunday morning. He tweeted in the pre-dawn hours about having to wake up to catch his 6a.m. flight. Which meant getting to the airport at 4:30a.m. Where he was told that his flight was delayed for two hours. Dickerson was slated to appear on “Face the Nation” upon returning home, so this was going to be a close shave. So close, in fact, that when Dickerson realized that he wouldn’t be able to go home before his TV appearance, he was forced to shave in an airport bathroom.

Delayed flight means no going home before TV when I land. Just shaved in airport. Water cold! Hand sensor finicky!

— John Dickerson (@jdickerson) January 22, 2012

At least Dickerson was clean shaven when he approached the United Airlines worker to find out that his 6a.m. flight was now pushed bad to 11a.m. Which meant no television for Dickerson. A pissed off Dickerson’s tweets then took an understandably nasty tone.

Announcement says if I I have any questions to contact a @unitedairlines representative. But when I do so I am confronted by a formless blob.

— John Dickerson (@jdickerson) January 22, 2012

Formless blobs are a dime-a-dozen in South Carolina. I wouldn’t hold it against United particularly. A bad situation turned even worse as Dickerson announced later in the day that the flight had ultimately been canceled.

Latest good news: flight cancelled. — John Dickerson (@jdickerson) January 22, 2012

And with that, Dickerson settled into Columbia for one more night, scheduled to leave on the same flight this morning. So far, so good. He’s already let us know that he’s back at the airport and waiting for takeoff.

…okay Columbia, SC airport we meet again.

— John Dickerson (@jdickerson) January 23, 2012

It’s nice that his travel nightmare finally had a good ending…  Or did it?

Read more

Quotes of the Day

CNN and Former FishbowlDC’s Matt Dornic: “New show: Silver Fox Sundays w @bobcusack?” Cusack is Managing Editor of The Hill.

Scribe on strange flight

“Flight attendant just scolded passengers, says boarding process lasted longer than her first marriage. Ouch.” — Roll Call‘s Shira Toeplitz.

Did journo smoke ashes before writing this?

“When someone Tweets a link without crediting the person it comes from, their ReTweets are ashes in the mouth.” — CBS Political Director and Slate‘s John Dickerson.

The Observer

“Colbert with @georgestephanopolous is brilliant!” — MSNBC Contributor Karen Finney.

And an alternative viewpoint…

“Breaking: Zombie David Brinkley wakes up. ‘F**k this shit, I’m taking the show back.’ #ThisWeek’” — Below the Beltway blogger Dave Mataconis.

Journo savors New Year’s resolution on relationships

“OK, that’s it for my purple-hued career. Now sipping porter and savoring 2012 resolution to stop putting energy into broken relationships.” — Former Yahoo! News‘ Chris Lehmann, former husband to The Guardian‘s Ana Marie Cox. “No new gig to speak of — just getting out,” he wrote in response to what he’ll be doing now that he’s no longer with Yahoo! News. He also recently explained to another Chris Lehmann on Twitter that, “Actually, I’m no longer married to Ana Marie Cox.” Lehmann II replied, “Oh dear. Sorry to hear that.”

Scribe grateful for break from GOP primary

“Thank you Tim Tebow and Tom Brady for being interesting enough to cancel out the GOP primary in my timeline for a few hours.” — Roll Call‘s John Stanton.

From the Road

“I’m in Dubai. Just enjoying a leisurely breakfast at the Media One Hotel before I head to Kabul on Monday.” — USA Today and ABC Radio’s Carmen Gentile.

And the award for the most ridiculous way to connect an event back to you goes to…

“Farewell, Huntsman! Thanks for meeting w/ the @HarvardIOP students during the campaign.” — PBS’s Christina Bellantoni on hearing that Jon Huntsman was dropping out of the presidential race.

Happy Birthday to…first lady Michelle Obama.

Convo Between Two Types

Today’s conversation is between Big Big Fat Ritchie and Human Events Jason Mattera. Who Big Big Fat Ritchie isn’t really important.

Mattera: “Anthony Weiner saga continues: He’s turned on by other dudes apparently.” (Inexplicably he links to a weeks old Dec. story in the NYP.)

Big Big Fat Ritchie: “Jason Mattera, Weiner is old news. May he rest in peace. #freaks”

Tragedy Strikes…

“Broke out my yarn bowl. Christmas present from my mom.” — BigGov and CNN Contributor Dana Loesch. Come on Andrew Breitbart. Least you can do is spring for a new yarn bowl.

Jouno laments speeding tickets from Iowa

“Just learned of some speeding tickets I picked up in Iowa. Come on, Hawkeye State. Y’all used to be cool. And where did you catch me?!” — Reuters‘ Sam Youngman.

Whoa! Gridiron Club Sec. Carl Leubsdorf got to first base early this morning. What?!

USA Today‘s Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page tweeted this unusually personal message to CBS Political Director John Dickerson this morning at 5:05 a.m. “@jdickerson We’re up because Carl was trying to make it to first base in a dream and fell out of bed. (He was on the Yankees, BTW.)”

Dickerson replied, “Yes, but did he beat the throw?”

Quotes of the Day

Journo love

“Alex Burns. Maggie Haberman. We love you both.” — MSNBC’s Alex Witt on Sunday afternoon to guests of the program Politico‘s Burns and Haberman.

Is Jason Linkins a 13-year-old with a drinking problem?

“Damn it! I promised myself that my ‘work bourbon’ would last until the New Hampshire primary was over.” — HuffPost‘s left-wing media reporter Jason Linkins spent the weekend trying to be Hunter S. Thompson and failing miserably. On Sunday morning he adds, “The winner of this debate is vodka.” Still later he says simply, “Drink” and links to a music video. 

Huntman’s Mandarin falls flat

“I was in the press room, actually, last night during that debate and the press kind of erupted into laughter at that so I’m not sure that moment went over very well.” — RealClearPolitics‘ Erin McPike on MSNBC Sunday afternoon in response to a question on Jon Huntsman‘s use of Mandarin in Saturday night’s debate.

Melinda tires of the ass kissing

“Is Chris Matthews thinking David Gregory will be his boss someday? Enough, already…” — WaPo‘s Melinda Henneberger.

HuffPost reporter gets shout-out from Eva Longoria

“Eva Longoria just retweeted me. I mean, that’s cool.” — HuffPost‘s Jennifer Bendery.

Bad form: Reporter RT’s himself

“RT @MikViq: Basically, Romney is saying that IF he could correct the SuperPAC ads he would, but since he hardly knows these people, he can’t.” — NBC’s Michael Viqueira. To be fair, Viqueira is not a serial self RTer. This is the first act of this nature that we’ve seen from him. But why do this ever?

JMart pricks Newt, Pinocchio and WaPo

“Love that Newt is still turning to washpost Pinnochios [sic] as pushback. Plays well in Laconia.” — Politico‘s Jonathan Martin.

Muffin metaphors

“Ever since Peggy Noonan called Newt Gingrich ‘an angry little attack muffin’ all I see is a screaming blueberry muffin when he talks…” — MSNBC Contributor and Daily Beast Columnist Meghan McCain.

WaPo‘s conservative issues blogger Jennifer Rubin assesses the weekend: “Loser: Diane Sawyer winner: people who can’t stand Huntsman.. he’ll be gone soon.”

Reality Show Confessional

“I miss Herman and Michelle.” — WaPo‘s Dana Milbank.

Ball puts debate moderator’s hair on notice

“John DiStaso wins Best Early-State Mullet category.” — The Atlantic‘s Molly Ball of the Union Leader reporter who helped moderate the NBC debate Sunday morning. And FNC “Redeye” host Greg Gutfeld suggests this: “After debate, David Gregory’s hair is having brunch with John Huntsman’s hair.”

Sick designer on the loose

“Throat hurts + fever + headache + congestion = me today #justshootme.” — Washington Business Journal Designer Timothy Wong. (This was Sunday; hopefully he’s on the mend today.)

Erick Erickson issues “apology” to ABC

“Dear ABC News, I was wrong. You set the bar for stupid so high in last night’s debate even NBC did better than you.” — RedState.com’s Editor-in-Chief and CNN Contributor Erick Erickson.

Headline on a story by CBS Political Director John Dickerson on Slate: My Baloney Has a First Name, It’s M-I-T-T

Weekend drive-thru

“Wendy’s drive-thru in Vienna, VA. Apparently, tonight, this is how I roll. #suburbanadventures #withajrbaconcheeseburger” — Capitol File Editor-in-Chief Kate Bennett.

Rules and more rules

“Just announced in press file ‘we have a little bit of security issue outside.’ Taking folks over to the spin room in groups of 10. Really?” — Reuters‘ Sam Youngman in New Hampshire.

Quotes of the Day — The Mindmeld Edition: A melding of everything worthy, weird and otherwise from the past four days.

Journo’s cat sets her alarm clock

“The cat stepped on my iPhone dock alarm clock last night and set it to go off at 7 a.m. Which it did. Which was wonderful. #gah” — WaPo Express‘s Sara Schwartz in a tweet that Politico‘s resident cat lover Patrick Gavin might appreciate. We’re sure Gavin’s cats don’t have tricks like that.

White House scribe details Michelle O’s attire down to thighs

“The top of the first lady’s dress was a bright orange racerback; from mid-torso to mid-thigh it has a green and white jungle-like print; the final piece that fell to the knee was a grayish pattern.” — Politico‘s Jennifer Epstein in a Sunday Pool Report from Hawaii.

Corn on Bachmann on God

“Short version of Bachmann campaign event: God, God, God, God, God, God.” — Mother Jones‘ Washington Bureau Chief David Corn.

Necessary Tweet of the Day

“Here’s to a new year in which cell phone and Twitter users learn the value of an unexpressed thought.” — AP Radio News’ Jon Belmont.

Reporter does what it takes

“This crazy Iowa wind blew the address I need out of hand & across the parking lot. I literally parkoured [sic] over a fence to get it. #nprlife” — NPR White House Correspondent Ari Shapiro.

Journo loses cologne to TSA

“Leaving my new Christmas gift (cologne) in SC because it was .2oz too much. Thanks TSA.” — FBDC’s and The Blaze‘s Eddie Scarry, who explained that the cologne, Cool Water by Davidoff, was a sentimental re-gift from his father.

Not surprisingly, Walsh criticizes an R

“Leslie Stahl admitted that interview was part of a Cantor push to soften and humanize his richly deserved awful image. Ick.” — Salon Editor-at-Large Joan Walsh of Sunday’s “60 Minutes” interview with House Maj. Leader Eric Cantor.

Ahh…the warmth of the holidays

“Nice to see the TSA in ATL not give a hard time to the 3 yo with the toy gun who refused to let it leave his hand.” — RedState.com Editor-in-Chief and CNN Contributor Erick Erickson.

Um, Happy New Year?

“Ooh. Time for another round of my favorite neighborhood game: Fireworks or Gunshot?” — Reason Magazine Associate Editor Peter Suderman.

Words to live by…“Don’t forget: Resolutions are for quitters.” — Capitol File Editor-in-Chief Kate Bennett.

Birth Week: Nibbles Knox, son of AFP‘s Olivier Knox. A note from Roll Call‘s Meredith Shiner: “Happy birthday to the famous Nibbles Knox! May this year be filled with all the legos your little heart ever could desire @OKnox” — (quote by and h/t to Shiner. h/t to Politico‘s Mike Allen for the phrase h/t.) HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIBBLES!

Things are getting weird in Iowa

“Local reporter, desperate for people to interview, asks Jeff Zeleny if he’s media or voter. #blending” — Slate‘s Dave Weigel on NYT‘s Zeleny.

“Lady sitting next to me at Atlantic, Iowa, diner, on being a campaign reporter: ‘I think that would be a terrible job.’” — Politico‘s Reid Epstein.

“Went to the lobby to get coffee. When the desk clerk saw my bed head I thought he might offer me medical treatment.” — CBS Political Director John Dickerson.

Funky Convo Between Two Journos

TPM‘s Evan McMorris-Santoro: “Happy Des Moines time new year to the crew @TPM, best support staff a road warrior’s ever had.” HuffPost‘s Elise Foley: “#puke.”

Travel writer starts new year on funereal note

“And…my first day of the year starts w a funeral. Sort of nice, though. #perspective.” — National Geographic Traveler Contributing Editor Carl Hoffman.

A given…“Sorry in advance for all the irresponsible things I’m going to do to 2012.” — HuffPost’s left-wing media reporter Jason Linkins.

Editor salutes his Beagle

“Smartest living being in the house today: Fred the Beagle, who laid his head on the remote during the Jets game and changed the channel.” — Digital First Media Editor-in-Chief and former TBD GM Jim Brady.

Just who is Ben Smith?

“@benpolitico Someone from buzzfeed’s at this Santorum event trying 2 explain who u r to Iowan lady of certain age. She seems mystified alas.” — The Hill‘s Niall Stanage.

ME ME ME ME ME

“@danielabrams: dan abrams” — Mediaite founder Dan Abrams. To which Weigel replied simply, “#fail.” (To Abrams we give Tigi’s Bed Head line of conditioner called Self Absorbed for his lux locks.)

Is he SERIOUS?

“Is it New Years Eve 2011 or New Years Eve 2012? I get confused every year.” — Cheoff Geoff Tracy, husband to CBS Chief White House Correspondent Norah O’Donnell.

Unnecessary Tweet of the Day

“If you’re tracking, tonight’s Santorum Sweater Vest Color is navy blue. Or black. On CNN live now.” — Digital Producer for CNN Erin Burnett‘s “Out Front” Mark Joyella.

Quotes of the Day – Home for the Holidays Edition

“Merry Christmas from Ft. Lauderdale” — Syndicated columnist and Bullfight Strategies’ Karl Frisch.

Digital journo overextends herself

“2011: The year I decided to do all my shopping, and cook a meal for six people, on Christmas Eve. (Obvious postscript: I’M AN IDIOT.)” — Kiplinger‘s Caitlin Dewey.

Writer misses old holiday escape

“I miss going to Tower Records on Xmas Day to hang with the other losers escaping their families.” — Reuters‘ Jack Shafer.

TV reporter attracts staring babies

“Lately babies staring at me. Neighbor’s kid did thru dinner. Today, another baby STARING. Asked mother why? She said ‘YOUR TEETH’… huh?” — ABC7′s Stephen Tschida.

WaPo‘s Karen Tumulty: “Christmas cookies for breakfast. Again.”

NO MORE FATTY TENDERLOIN!

“After yrs of war finally convinced mom not to cut fat off the beef tenderloin. Had to explain @noreservations would murder her in the face.” — Roll Call‘s John Stanton.

A Christmas miracle…

“I dropped my wallet at Costco and an unknown Good Samaritan turned it in – nothing missing. It’s a Christmas miracle!” — TWT‘s Emily Miller.

Uh oh.

“Elks are At the point of the night where we are threatening to beat each other up – booze.” — Labor Journo Mike Elk. Earlier, he wrote, “I’m drunk and can’t figure out how to watch any of the TV’s in my parents’ house – I just wanna see a Christmas story.”

Please, shhh….

“Cabbie knew a lot about the etymology of my last name. #tooearly” — LAT‘s James Oliphant.

Journo gets gipped on fortune

“Shocked by the fortune cookie we got post Jewish Xmas.” — HuffPost‘s Sam Stein.

Taxi Co. ruins church trip

“Alas, @BarwoodTaxi fails us this morning. Daughter can’t go to church…. (Thinking of updating The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.)” — WaPo‘s Book World Editor Ron Charles.

‘Merry Methmas‘

“News from Florida: Cousin’s cousin died of a crystal overdose on Friday. #rip #merrymethmas.” — Reason Assoc. Editor Mike Riggs. In a later tweet, he added, “Merry Shitfaced.”

Also shitfaced…

“Santa? Did you leave me all of these empty liquor bottle and this terrible headache?” — National Review Online‘s Jonah Goldberg.

Maybe wishes she was shitfaced?

“Not saying I’ve haven’t found my hubby a good Xmas present, but about to walk around looking for something shiny from a street vendor. #fail” — USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page.

What’s really important…

“Merry Christmas friends! Remember that this day is about two things: CHRIST & spiked eggnog. Reflect on and enjoy both!” — Human Events‘ Jason Mattera.

Don’t hate me because I’m covering Obama’s Hawaiian Xmas

“Good morning from Honolulu. Keep the “tough duty” comments. Heard em all during 8 yrs of Santa Barbara w/ Pres Reagan.” — CBS Radio White House Correspondent Mark Knoller.

Note to God: Your kids are annoying

“Making my list for the dreaded Christmas Eve grocery store trip. Lord grant me the patience to deal with all your irritating children today.” — Co-Founder of GOProud Jimmy LaSalvia.

Convo Between Two Journos

Roll Call‘s Stanton: “Whatever my dogs ate it has come back with an olfactory vengeance.”

TPM‘s Brian Beutler: “Your underwear.”

“7 y.o. daughter reading farm book: “What does castration mean?” the age old Christmas day question.” — CBS Political Director John Dickerson.

Unnecessary Tweet of the Day

“Decorating the tree is my favorite part of #christmas! Do you prefer white or colored lights?” — Katie Couric.

John Dickerson, Political Director for CBS,  is having a weird 24 hours.  According to his Twitter page anyway.  It all started yesterday around lunchtime when he tweeted “Can someone tweet about their lunch?  I am starving and have no time to eat”.  Gee John.  That seems like a good way to make a personal hunger crisis worse.  Asking people to tell you all about the food that you aren’t able to eat.  In fact, it did make matters worse.  Moments later, Dickerson tweeted to Drew Cline, Editorial Page Editor for the New Hampshire Union Leader and asked if he could make his avatar of a BBQ pulled pork sandwich “scratch and sniff”.  SOMEONE GET THIS MAN A PACK OF CRACKERS!!

Poor John lived through the hunger ordeal to rise and see the light of today.  Well…  Sort of.  His first tweet in the pre-dawn hours of morning read “When you dress by the light of the iPhone it’s hard to know whether the socks are black or brown”.  And then moments later, tweeted “When you wake with a headache does that mean you were doing a lot of calculus in your dreams?”

Everything else appears to be back to normal since this morning, but if you see a man with mismatched socks complaining of hunger pangs, please tell John Dickerson we said hello.

Quotes of the Day

“The problem for the media is there is no stained blue dress.” — The Daily Caller‘s media writer Matt Lewis on Sunday CNN’s “Reliable Sources” while discussing the sexual harassment accusations against GOP Presidential hopeful Herman Cain. Lewis’ remark set off a heated discussion on the program as another guest, Newsweek/Daily Beast‘s Lauren Ashburn, spoke bluntly of the sexual harassment she endured, including a boss’s boss who spoke about her “rack” in the workplace. Ashburn says the subject needs to be a national conversation, that women’s accusations must be taken seriously. She would not discuss an incident her mother experienced, saying sheepishly, “It involves underwear and it’s my mother and I really can’t do that.”

The Senate has a ‘Banging’ Committee?

“Closed captions on Meet the Press just said Chris Dodd was chairman of the Senate ‘banging’ committee. #transcriberfail” — Roll Call‘s Ryan Teague Beckwith. Beckwith has officially redeemed himself after communicating with chewy granola bars online.

Congratulations to Slate‘s John Dickerson on becoming CBS News’ new Political Director. Dickerson, who had been a CBS News Political Analyst, had rough start to his new expanded roll this weekend as GOP Presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann received an accidental email from him saying she wouldn’t get much play at the CBS/NJ debate. Dickerson remarked on Sunday, “Thanks everyone for your good wishes, support, humor and friendship over this last exciting and strange 24 hours.”

Have an issue with Weingarten? Take it up with the NYT

“Have you found that the folks who brag the most that they have deep faith and love God more than you do tend to be the ones who, like, get caught nude with a goat?” — WaPo‘s Gene Weingarten on faith and Christ and running for President. (At the end of his piece he noted, “If this has riled you at all, by all means write to me in care of the New York Times.)

To Gloria with hate

“Dear Gloria Allred: STFU” — The Daily Caller‘s TV reporter Jeff Poor.

Memory moves journo to tears

“Just broke down sobbing w/ family in Dubrovnik church lighting candle for Vukovar. Had not realized: 20th ann of massacre.” — NPR’s Scott Simon. The war crime — the murders of hundreds of Croatians by Serb militia –  occurred in 1991.

Quotes of the Day  – Herman Cain Edition Part Deux

Holy sh&$ they missed it?

“I’m on a train and haven’t seen the Cain press conf yet. Was it really that terrible as my Twitter stream seems to indicate?” — Human Events‘ infamous ambusher Jason Materra.

“Will be on an underground train during Cain presser. I understand that my entire career is at risk because of this.” — Yahoo! News’ Chris Moody.

The Atlantic reporter goes on Canadian TV to discuss Mr. C

“Just went on Canadian TV, where I was asked what I think ‘aboot’ Herman Cain.” — The Atlantic‘s Molly Ball.

And the good news is…

“The one thing that can be said about Romney is no one would ever accused him of making sexual advances…including Mrs. Romney. #Robot” — Townhall.com contributor and periodic radio host Derek Hunter.

Stalking journos

“The Hilton hotel chain will not release any information about Herman Cain’s stays or upgrades at their hotel.” See here. — National Review Online‘s Jim Geraghty.

“It is gross that the press is going after Cain’s family. Still the question about his wife’s height is something we gotta check out.” — Slate and CBS’s John Dickerson.

It’s Caining Women

“Dangerous for Cain to say he has no memory of ‘this woman.’ If any connection demonstrated, it will be…inconvenient. #ItsCainingWomen” — Mother Jones Washington Bureau Chief David Corn.

Cain family pimping? So far, out of the question

“I’m also glad Cain didn’t have his family up there. You can’t say stay away from my family then pimp them for a photo op.” — Washington Watch’s Roland Martin.

Where’s Mark Sanford when you need him?

“Fox, please, for the sake of all that is good, bring in contributor Mark Sanford for his analysis.” – Politico‘s Alexander Burns.

Talking jive with Conroy

“Also should be noted that I have weirdly been known to confuse jibe with/jive with.” — RCP‘s Scott Conroy.

Journos poke fun of Cain’s third person usage

“A reporter named Sam Youngman has a lot of unanswered questions #funwiththirdperson” — The Hill‘s (soon to be Reuter‘s) Sam Youngman.

“Ron Fournier finds it a bit sketchy when people talk about themselves in the 3rd person.” — NJ Editor-in-Chief Ron Fournier.

Premiere Vs. Premier

“Like @RealClearScott, I have many pet grammar peeves and one surfaced in a release today: The use of ‘premiere’ to mean the best. #premier — Las Vegas political TV reporter.” Jon Ralston.

Journo on mend after dental surgery

“Oral Surgery 2 week check up: very good! Return to normal eating habits! I’m so happy!!!” — C-SPAN’s Jeremy Art.

Bio of the Day: She dined with the Prez. Does Michelle know?

Roll Call‘s Christina Bellantoni: “Christina Bellantoni has covered Washington, D.C. for Talking Points Memo, The Washington Times, and Roll Call. She has helped TPM and Roll Call expand exponentially, including by securing TPM a place in the White House Correspondents Association and the White House press pool. She has dined with the President, profiled Michelle Bachmann, and has appeared on TV numerous times, including times on Fox, Friends, and Countdown with Keith Olbermann. She will also discuss how the media landscape and political journalism has changed thanks to social networking and technological tools.”

UPDATE: Bellantoni wrote in to clarify a couple things. First off, as an Institute of Politics fellow at Harvard this fall,  the blurb above is from one of her undergraduate student liaisons to advertise her weekly study group via Facebook and via internal Harvard list servs.  Secondly, there is a student typo, which she had them correct weeks back – it should read Fox & Friends. Duly noted.

Quotes of the Day

Journos react to bizarre Cain ad

“Cain ad with chief of staff smoking attempts to make pitch to sullen teenagers.” — The Hill‘s Associate Editor Ian Swanson on Herman Cain‘s weird new smoking ad. He links here.

“Herman Cain’s smoking gum: the dumbest ad in the history of politics.” — The Guardian’s Richard Adams.

“I still say @TheHermanCain’s smile was the most entertaining part of the smoking ad.” — Roll Call‘s David Drucker.

Best of Lululemon murder trial tweets

From WTOP’s Neal Augenstein: “Books being read in courtroom during #Lululemon jury selection: 4 Blondes by Candace Bushnell, and Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning.” And this…”Topics of discussion between potential #Lululemon jurors — the size of a dog’s paws, and the political future of Md Atty Genl Doug Gansler.” Follow Neal at @AugensteinWTOP.

One of our readers writes in on Twitter: “In the middle of a conference call, still, and I see the “tweets and tits” story. Thanks for causing me to choke on Cheez Its.” The story he’s referring to is this one. Another reader writes in from Napa Valley… “I’m in wine country in northern California. Sometimes, I come across, read items like this one and just wish that the whole bunch of em on the Hill could just chill out for a week (or much more) in the Napa Valley. Say, Calistoga, where they could all jump into a hot mud bath and splash mud at one another to vent all those pent-up aggressions and emotions. Please be sure to let the Calistoga resort owner know when Congress is coming. I’m sure they’ll want to be sure they have enough mud on hand!”

Ifill tries to one up Booker

“Lovely day today in Newark. (there, beat you to it @corybooker)” — PBS’s Gwen Ifill.

Uh oh.

“What goes around, comes around….That is my philosophy at the moment.” — The Daily Caller‘s Pat McMahon.

Journo hears beatings for greetings

“Voicemail says ‘to administer personal greetings press 3,’ but it sounds like ‘beatings’ which I suppose is what was on Qaddafi’s voicemail” — Slate and CBS’s John Dickerson.