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.

“Who is that guy?” tweeted Business Insider‘s Brett LoGiurato late Monday night. “He’s not an actual human being, is he?” added New York magazine’s Stefan Becket.

Many reporters, editors and producers have had at least one experience with Rudolf, whose bio indicates that he lives in Chicago. He regularly tweets at news figures, typically in the evening and with arbitrary capital letters punctuating his tweets.

Just last night, Rudolf tweeted at:

• The Daily Caller Editor-in-Chief Tucker Carlson (“Do you like Appearing on ‘Red Eye’ with Greg Gutfeld on ‘Fox News Channel’? Is the Story involving NJ Sen Menendez not true?”)
• BuzzFeed‘s Dorsey Shaw (“Your Replying to my tweets, now. Want to Chat about Political TV Cable News & Issues in the Media?”)
• CNN Contributor Ana Navarro (“Do you enjoy being a CNN Political Contributor? Will Rodman be a Special Envoy to N. Korea with his connection to the Leader?”)
• MSNBC’s S.E. Cupp (“What’s it like being the Conservative on MSNBC’s ‘The Cycle’ with Liberals/Progressives Weekday Afternoons discussing Politics/Media”)
• Mediaite‘s Tommy Christopher (“Any Interesting Posts or Stories I should Read at ‘Mediaite.com’ Web Site this Monday?”)
• D.C. Bureau Chief for BuzzFeed John Stanton (“Describe what it’s like being the DC Bureau Chief of Buzzfeed.com?”)
• Piers Morgan Tonight E.P. Jonathan Wald (“You have got me Curious, Jonathan! Very Interesting Forum about HBO’s ‘The Newsroom’ last night with P. Morgan Moderating.”

Rudolf also sends out tweets soliciting potential chat buddies, though to no one in particular. A typical one goes: Read more

Steve Krakauer, senior editor of Mediaite.com, has been named digital producer of CNN’s “Piers Morgan Tonight,” set to debut in January 2011. Executive Producer Jonathan Wald announced the news today.

Krakauer was previously an editor for TVNewser.

> Update: Krakauer remarked to FishbowlDC: “I have loved working on this side of the business, covering the TV and media world of Mediaite and previously at TVNewser, but this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Piers, Jonathan and the CNN team have great plans for the new show and I am excited to be part of those plans from the beginning.”