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.

See more Morning Chatter…

Read more

Quotes of the Day

“I won’t go on Twitter today, I won’t do it.” — MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Co-host Mika Brzezinski after discussing her new self-revealing book on weight, Obsessed, in which she discusses her own issues and focus on being thin. She’ll appear at Politics & Prose on Thursday at 4 p.m.

Quintessential JMart Tweet: “cong pork” 

“Clyburn, talking Port of Chston, notes that cong pork is gone but — ‘They did not eliminate presidential earmarks’” — Politico Senior Political Reporter Jonathan Martin. And a weekend Q for him to ponder: “Do I have to figure out what Niall Fergie thing is or can I go on w my Saturday?”

A reporter’s Cheerios dilemma

“I’m not completely clear on what General Mills wants me to do when a Cheerios commercial includes the hash #nomnom in the corner. #nomnom!” — Yahoo! News’ Chris Wilson.

Spotted: Matthew Perry en route to D.C.

“Looks like @MatthewPerry on my flight to DC. Wonder if he wants to come on @WMALMornings to talk hockey while in town?” — WMAL and Brietbart‘s Larry O’Connor on Sunday afternoon.

Journo adds romance to life with lateness

“I purposefully cut it close when I have a train to catch. It’s more romantic that way.” — WaPo‘s Dan Zak.

Journo Love (and Hate)

With a job like mine that focuses on the worst (read: right wing) media, I sometimes forget what a national treasure @NPR is. just the best.” — Media Matters fellow Oliver Willis.

Famous last words

“What an eventful week of media news. Let’s try to behave next week, mmkay?” — HuffPost Social Media Editor Ethan Klapper.

Coffee obsessed

“Trying to figure which I like more: my first cup of coffee or my tenth.” — Breitbart editor John Nolte.

A producer’s perfect day

“Seersucker dress…check. Giant hat…check. Rainbows…check. Perfect day for a horse race.” — Fox News Senate producer Kara Rowland.

Politico Playbook Publish Time: 8:17 a.m.

Editor resentful of Howard Kurtz

“1 more reason to be angry w Howard Kurtz: Story abt his firing pushed my story abt Natasha Trethewey out of Fri paper” — WaPo Book World’s Ron Charles.

Peter Ogburn contributed to this report.

Quotes of the Day

Producer encounters weirdo at gym

“Gotta love it when there are 30 open machines at the gym and Creepy Guy has to pick the one right smack next to you.” — Kara Rowland, Fox News Senate Producer.

Best lead of the week? “As it turns out, there may be junk in that trunk.” — from Yahoo! News’ Chris Moody‘s story about a campaign worker charged with cyberstalking women, obtaining nude pictures of them and threatening them if they didn’t send him more naked pictures of themselves. What is this, Weiner: The Next Generation? He’s a former employee of Newt Gingrich‘s presidential campaign who volunteered to dress up as “Ellis the Elephpant,” a character in Callista Gingrich‘s children’s novels. Read the full story here.

Confessional

“I hate when shows do prom episodes. It just reminds me that I never went to one. Yeah, yeah I know they don’t live up to hype.” — Breitbart and Townhall‘s Lisa De Pasquale.

Politico Senior Political Reporter recommends the sausage

“If you’re in dallas and want some real tex bbq ck out @DallasLockhart — run by family of kreuz’s market and has their sausage” — Politico‘s Jonathan Martin. Tks JMart! See u  4 din in Tex. #JMartTweets

Apparently this is a popular spot…“Dinner tonight at Lockhart Smokehouse, in Oak Cliff neighborhood I swear did not exist a decade ago. Dallas one of best food towns in nation.” — ABC News Political Director Rick Klein.

Politico Playbook Publish Time: 7:36 a.m.

Editor seeks Christian guidance for his kids (on Twitter)

“Anybody got a good book recommendation on teaching kids self control, preferably from a Christian perspective?” – RedState Editor and FNC Contributor Erick Erickson.

Anticipatory sequestration travel woes

“Just got an email from Frontier about flight delays because of sequestration…for a flight more than 2 weeks away.” — HuffPost‘s Elise Foley.

Promises Promises

“I’ll try to misspell a couple of words in each piece I write for the Washington Times, just so you know it’s me.” — Chuck Woolery, former “Love Connection” host and now a TWT columnist.

The always amazing Eddie Scarry contributed to this report.

Quotes of the Day

This is your brain. This is your brain on Salon.

“Reading that Salon article was like killing brain cells without the benefit of alcohol.” — Conservative radio correspondent Dana Loesch.

Maybe a slight exaggeration?

“He makes things difficult for me when he does things like trespassing.” — Jenny Sanford, former loving (?) wife of former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) to the AP in this story. Not that she shouldn’t be irate about the cheating and the lying, but he couple has four sons together. Just maybe that had to do with his “trespassing.”

Political operator feels mixed on new specs

“I can see really well with my new glasses that arrived today…just not wild about how they look on me. Oh well, at least I can see.” — GOProud founder Jimmy LaSalvia (the actual glasses are pictured above).

Politico Playbook Publish Time: 8:47 a.m.

Advice columnist counsels aides who want to leave Capitol Hill

“Leave on the best terms possible. All your current co-workers — from the crazy one you complain about to Hill Navigator to the one who eats tuna for lunch at a desk 4 inches from your own — will become valuable contacts once you turn in your keys and BlackBerry.” — Roll Call’s “Hill Navigator” writer Rebecca Gale. Read the full column here.

Important Q to Ponder: “Why do TV news anchors say ‘lower extremities’ instead of ‘legs’?” — TWT senior opinion writer Emily Miller.

Writer thinks PETA has questionable priorities

“PETA just announced cows are being abused on a farm. So when Boston, N. Korea, Gosnell and the economy are taken care of, there’s that.” — @HistoricOswald‘s Peter Savodnik, author of The Interloper to be published later this year and formerly a reporter for The Hill.

Journo awed by Thatcher funeral

“There are few things as haunting & beautiful as the voices of boys’ choir in a cathedral funeral service. #Thatcher.” — Conservative radio host Laura Ingraham. The funeral aired on CSPAN2 this morning.

Could you care less about this?

“Pet peeve: when people say ‘could care less’ instead of ‘couldn’t care less.’ — Fox News Senate Producer Kara Rowland.

Hollywood on the Potomac interviews NBC’s Tom Brokaw on the Riacin incident.

Quotes of the day

SHOWOFF: “Sunset over the Gulf of Mexico in Boca Grande, FL, 2/28/2013″ — FNC’s Brit Hume.

Conventional wisdom

“So non threat to Woodward is a problem cuz jr reporter might not be able to stand as courageously agst non-threat as Woodward. #truth.” – TPM‘s Josh Marshall.

Angry Ass Convo Between Two Journos

The conversation is between The Weekly Standard’s John McCormack and BuzzFeed’s Andrew Kaczynski.

John McCormack: “Politico article on abortion issue includes two quotes–one from Planned Parenthood and one, for balance, from ACLU”

Andrew Kaczynski: “@McCormackJohn Lot of balance in those Weekly Standard Chuck Hagel stories.”

John McCormack: “@BuzzFeedAndrew Well, at least they’re more balanced than Buzzfeed’s articles on gay marriage. Also: We don’t pretend we’re not ideological.”

Menendez: No more hooker q’s for now

“No questions for Menendez about his controversy. Seems he’s reached a point where he can talk about other things.” — Politico‘s Ginger Gibson on Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.).

Producer is “all screwed up” when walking

“After living in London I never know which way to look for cars. Totally screwed me up.” — FNC Senate Producer Kara Rowland.

A little help from your friends

NYT‘s political correspondent Nick Confessore: “Packing and moving an apartment is like waiting for the Time-Warner guy, in hell, for infinity.”

NYT‘s Washington Bureau Chief David Leonhardt: “@nickconfessore Just wait until you’re simultaneously unpacking and waiting for the Time Warner guy.”

Goofball FLOTUS pool report

“FLOTUS pool report from @jestei ‘I am sorry I am unable to provide you with the lid, as FLOTUS has none. (Stock pots, maybe.)’” — NYT‘s Jonathan Weisman. A “lid” in pool reportese marks the conclusion of a day’s formal events.

Necessary Tweet of the Day

“I’m going to try stovetop smoking salmon tonight. (I decided I needed more alliterative cooking processes.)” — Slate and NYT‘s Farhad Majoo.

Uh oh. “Anyone else ever mean to send a text and send a Tweet instead just by force of habit? Dangerous.” — Politico‘s Ben White.

See who made our FishbowlDC Fan Club Board. Read more

Quotes of the Day

Here we have the fantasy baby of our own FBDC’s Eddie Scarry and Mark Levine, a determined radio correspondent we affectionately refer to as “Queen Levine” for his dramatic email exchanges with Eddie. We must say, they’d produce adorable offspring. We’ll call her “Levina Scarry.”

Valentine’s Day Success Stories

“The Obamas went to Minibar tonight. That is a serious I-never-have-to-face-the-voters dining option. Also delicious. …How did he get a reservation?” — The New Yorker‘s Ryan Lizza.

“My parents spent Valentine’s Day at Disney World. Their 1st time w/o kids! How romantic. And cute! I’m super jealous.” — WJLA’s Mike Conneen.

“We were so stuffed from our Valentine’s Day lunch that we had a quiet dinner at home.” — Chairman of Accuracy in Media Don Irvine.

Stupid Question never to Ponder: “Is there a special app that will protect my tweets so morons can’t read them?” — Commentary‘s John Podhoretz. Note to Podhoretz: If you don’t want morons reading you then you shouldn’t be on Twitter.

Uh Oh.

Conservative radio host Dana Loesch: “Pick battles wisely folks so that they move our agenda forward, not back, or cause needless division. We’re all on the same side. Smiles!”

Conservative blogger and author Michelle Malkin: “I don’t get people who lecture me not to engage liberals on Twitter. This is a social ENGAGEMENT tool. For, you know, ENGAGING.”

Bureau Chief: Outraged by Poopy Cruise

“CNN has a ‘sweet home Alabama’ cryon for the poop cruise. I want those responsible put in a sack and thrown off a bridge.” — BuzzFeed D.C. Bureau Chief John Stanton.

Washington sex terms

“Lots of Washington terms are appropriate for Valentine’s Day: Holds, Mark up, Pocket veto, Rider, Score, Whip, Yield.” — Paul Brandus of WestWingReports.

Valentine’s Day Downers

“Totally having a 2 star meal at Brasserie Monte Carlo tonight. I’ve been bumped by the waitstaff at least a dozen times.” — Ben Harris, Rockville-based communications professional.

“When your boyfriend does last minute Valentine’s Day shopping you get a card in Spanish.” — National Journal‘s Ben Fishel. (Actual card at left.)

“Oh angry, loud single ladies getting drunk and wearing fake mustaches at this bar, Happy Valentine’s Day.” — Roll Call‘s Meredith Shiner.

“So much sappy music on the cab radio tonight. Can’t imagine why.” — Greenwire‘s Jessica Estepa.

“What a nightmare. Not one not two but three separate accidents and TWO lanes closed for roadwork on 395.” — Fox News Producer Kara Rowland.

The Media Critics

“CNN led am show with cruise nightmare OVER Russian meteorite!” — NJ‘s Josh Kraushaar.

“If a Free Beacon reporter asks your group for tax forms you don’t want to provide, tell Politico you’ve been assaulted by racists #protip.” — Newsweek-The Daily Beast‘s Eli Lake.

See the current names on our FishbowlDC Fan Club Board. Read more

Quotes of the Day

“That’s nice that they brought Ed Schultz out this morning,” a reader wrote in.

World’s most boring assignment

“I’m at the @PressClubDC to cover the @USEnergyAssn’s Electric Power panels.” — SNLEnergy Transmission reporter Corbin Hiar. Hiar doesn’t work for NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” Rather, he works for SNL Financial: “SNL Financial was originally founded as ‘S&L Securities’ in New Jersey in 1987 with an initial focus on the savings and loan industry,” the website explains. “But state law would not permit the incorporation of a non-bank with ‘S&L’ in the official company name.” So they replaced the “&” with an “N” to create “SNL.”

Self-appointed media critic takes swipe at WaPo

“WaPo says:’storm has the potential to produce shovelable snow accumulations but also has the potential to skirt us to the south’ shovelable?” — Kathy Jentz, Editor of Washington Gardener.

Ahh, memories

“Algeria was my life for about three months last year; wrote my 40-page LSE dissertation on political mobilization & regime stability there.” — FNC Senate Producer Kara Rowland.

WTF: Posting a blog? 

“WASHINGTON-Philip Tegeler, executive director of the Policy & Race Research Action Council (PRRAC), today posted a Huffington Post blog on a new transportation policy from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that may inadvertently cause a negative impact on residents of urban, low-income communities.” — The first graph of a release from the Policy & Race Research Action Council, which apparently doesn’t know what a blog is.

A real HuffPost headline: “Disturbing horsemeat burgers prompt investigation”

Newsflash: We’re selling the home!

“Dad told me they’re moving out of my childhood home in a TEXT MESSAGE today. Said it was payback for years of not returning his calls.” — Politico Live Producer Christine Delargy.

FNC’s Baier responds to follower who calls him an idiot

“Sorry to lose you -hope u come back” — FNC anchor Bret Baier to a follower who remarked, “Just watched SR and what a stupid segmt on NRA. U and panel are idiots.” Bye.”

Bon Voyage Reid Wilson

“See ya, USA. Back in three months. Will arrive in AKL in 13 hours.” — National Journal‘s “The Hotline” Editor-in-Chief Reid Wilson. AKL is Auckland Airport in New Zealand, where Wilson has taken off to for three months with his wife. The plan for Wilson to take a three-month leave has been in the works for awhile; everyone knew it would take place at the conclusion of the 2012 election cycle. Managing Editor Quinn McCord and Steve Shepard are in charge until Reid’s April return. With limited communication, you’d think he’d stay off the grid, right? Wrong. Colleagues and friends can track his every thought by reading this blog.  For starters, Reid has a humongous fear of flying. “There were times when I wondered if I’d follow thru with this New Zealand trip. About to board LAX-AKL flight, so thrilled I didn’t wuss out,” he writes.

Quote Taken Out of Context

“The way I do my thing is strange. I just inject myself into your veins.” — MSNBC Contributor and Daily Beast Columnist Meghan McCain.

Fake dead girlfriend jokes at a glance…

Read more

Quotes of the Day

From the Dept. of Bragiculture…

“I have more Twitter followers than my hometown congressman.” — New York magazine’s Social Media Coordinator Stefan Becket, whose hometown congressman is Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa). Becket hails from York, Pa. He has 6,950 followers; the congressman has just 942.

Strange coincidence?

“There is a gastroenterologist at my doctor’s office named Martin Bashir.” — CNN’s Lizzie O’Leary.

CNN’s Tapper stops and smells the roses

“I haven’t covered the news over the last week, but I have been spending a lot of time with a 3- and 5-year-old. So don’t feel I’ve missed much.” — CNN Chief Washington Correspondent Jake Tapper.

FNC producer praises Omni hotel

“Wow, quite impressed with the Omni in NOLA. Didn’t even realize I left a pair of earrings in the room and they mailed them back to me.” — Fox News Senate producer Kara Rowland.

Pre-dawn Politico Playbook: Mike Allen is burning the midnight oil again. This morning’s Playbook emerged at 5 a.m. If he snaps at you today, you’ll know why.

Confessional.

“Okay, so maybe I am as deep as the skin on an apple. Oh yah, and materialistic. At least I admit it. I’m still a nice person.” — ABC7′s Stephen Tschida.

An unusual fact about peanut butter and jelly sandwiches… Read more

Quotes of the Day

Is it BuzzFeed or is it HuffPost Hill

HuffPost Hill does its best impersonation of BuzzFeed with this email subject line: “HUFFPOST HILL – 25 Photos Of John Boehner Trying To Keep His Conference Together... And Kittens” (The afternoon newsletter has neither inside, so it’s all just a spiteful tease.)

On the Serenity Prayer…

“I hear that serenity prayer was said with typical Boehner grumble. Slight smile. He’s a devout Roman Catholic. Dark sense of humor.” — NationalReviewOnline‘s Washington Editor Robert Costa.

Uh oh. 

“On my way home via @Uber_DC. Am so grateful a service like this exists – would pay anything for the independent reviews and safety.” — Anna Sproul-Latimer, a Washington-D.C.-based literary agent. Clearly Anna hasn’t heard the news.

A complaint about flack emails

“Flack emails I will not read begin with ‘Hey XXX…’” — Daniel Newhauser, House leadership reporter for Roll Call.

NBC’s Chuck Todd gets questionable haircut?

“Did @chucktodd tell his barber ‘give me the Moe Howard‘?” — AP‘s Jon Resnick. Resnick’s joke involved Todd’s hair on Thursday, but it’s got legs. Could also refer to substitute hosts for “The Daily Rundown.” Today it’s WaPo‘s Chris Cillizza. We’ve asked Resnick for clarification on the matter.

The Observer

“Emerging buzzphrase of Dem Senate presser: ‘political gyrations’” — Slate‘s Dave Weigel.

How to Make it All About Me: “As someone who’s worked in digital journalism for a while, this NYT effort on an avalanche is inspirational.” — WaPo‘s Chris Cillizza. We’re not sure why he felt the need to qualify his statement. We get it! You’re an expert!

In defense of journalists covering tough stories

“Many people express hate for journalists covering tragic stories in their neighborhoods. Honestly, we hate being there, too.” — WTOP’s Neal Augenstein.

Fox News producer needs parka for hearing room

“Senate Foreign Relations hearing room is ridiculously cold. So glad I brought my big North Face parka.” — FNC Senate producer Kara Rowland.

Reaction to Pareene’s Hack List

“Good God, what will Alex be like when he gets old? His list is gripping reading, though, exactly the way Fox News itself is.” –The Daily Beast and CNN Contributor David Frum on Alex Pareene‘s annual Hack List for Salon.com.

Uh oh.

“As of now I have bought zero Christmas presents. Talk about smelling the panic.” — Touré, co-host of MSNBC’s “The Cycle”.

Editor regrets eating all that junk food; and see who made this week’s FishbowlDC Fan Club Board… Read more

Quotes of the Day

“I’m glad my four-star general got a four-star penis. That’s what I like. … I LOVE a good scandal. Ooooooh!!” – Comedian Loni Love on E!’s “Chelsea Lately” show last night.

Uh oh. Howard Kurtz: Shirtless?

“Feeling out of the loop for not having any shirtless photos of myself. Maybe that’s the new business card.” — CNN and Newsweek/The Daily Beast‘s Sexy Beast Howard Kurtz.

Gay activist hopes for dirty pics

“You know that in all those tens of thousands of emails that there have to be some pictures….there has to be.” — GOProud Co-founder Jimmy LaSalvia.

Actress weighs in on Petraeus scandal

“Petraeus thing getting weirder. How about the unstable sister and the judge? Still, it’s a crying shame. Many lives in ruins. — Bette Midler.

Meghan reinvents herself and the GOP

“I decided I will now refer to myself and others like me as ‘modern republicans’ not ‘moderate’. I think it’s a better description. #evolve” — MSNBC and The Daily Beast‘s Meghan McCain.

Important Question to Ponder: “WTF is your job as a flak if you literally refuse to talk to reporters? What an embarrassment.” — Mother Jones‘ Nick Baumann.

Sighting: Jada Pinkett Smith

“Spotted in Senate subways: Jada Pinkett Smith.” — Bloomberg Senate Leadership reporter Kate Hunter.

WaPo‘s Chris Cillizza becomes the Scolder-in-Chief

“Rove twitpic with Paul Broadwell is from JUNE. Come on people.” — WaPo‘s Chris Cillizza.

Sen. Kerry breaks promise to press

“Sen. John Kerry promised reporters he’d come out to the mics to talk after closed Benghazi briefing, then gives us the slip. Sneaky.” — Fox News’ Kara Rowland.

A journo has something good to say about Amtrak for a change, a GOP operative is going to flip out during his commute any day now and NBC MTP’s Betsy Fischer Martin has an observation about military marriages …

Read more