“I think I can call you Joe now that you’re not in the Congress anymore.” — Bloomberg View columnist Jonathan Alter on MSNBC’s Martin Bashir‘s program Monday while arguing with former Rep. Joe Walsh (R-N.Y.). “Yeah, yeah,” the former lawmaker replied, unruffled by Alter’s obvious disdain for him. Walsh spent two years in Congress with his term ending in 2013.

Politico reporter will no longer read New York Post

“No joke, I’m sort of unwilling to read anything in the New York Post after last week. That may not pass.” — Politico‘s Dylan Byers. GASP! Will they go out of business as a result? Last week NYP falsely reported that 12 people at the Boston Marathon had been killed when only three had died. They also ran a photograph of two men with the headline “Bag Men: Feds seek these two pictured at Boston Marathon” but they weren’t the right guys. In yet another report, they wrote that a Saudi national was a suspect. Boston police later denied the report.

Au de Metro: “Someone on this Metro train smells intensely of moth balls.” — Josh Lederman, White House reporter for the AP.

Eavesdrop Cafe with Washingtonian‘s Fashion Editor

“I’m sorry, I don’t usually do this, but there is a first date happening next to me at this bar that is a soundbite festival of goodness.” — Washingtonian Fashion Editor Kate Bennett. “Here’s a snippet: ‘I mean, I don’t sweat a lot, but when I do it’s pretty bad.’ …’When I do go to a potluck, I always bring something. Always.’”

Goldberg gets hate mail over story on Hagel

“The hate mail I get for saying that Chuck Hagel is friendly to Israel is very hatey. Here’s what they’re reacting to.” — The Atlantic‘s Jeffrey Goldberg, who links to this Bloomberg View story he wrote with the headline: “Israel Welcomes Hagel, a Friend Bearing Gifts.”

Eddie Scarry contributed to this report.

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New conservative publication brands itself with Bush slogan– Rare, an online news site for “today’s conservatives,” makes its official debut April 15. The publication, headed by former TWT Editor Brett Decker, is hosting two events at the Newseum to mark the occasion, one an interview by Decker of a to-be-named “high-profile” guest, the other a video showing “a modern, fresh, technologically savvy approach to conservative media.” Noteworthy: The video calls for “a new way forward” in branding conservative ideas, according to a press release from Rare. “New way forward” was the slogan adopted by the Bush (43) administration in the Iraq War troop surge of 2007.

Glenn Greenwald on Margaret Thatcher and “death etiquette”– Unless the person was truly vile, it’s customary to withhold any strong dumping on someone immediately after his or her death. Writing in The Guardian, Glenn Greenwald says it’s time for that to stop when it comes to political figures like former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. “When a political leader dies, it is irresponsible in the extreme to demand that only praise be permitted but not criticisms,” Greenwald writes. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with loathing Margaret Thatcher or any other person with political influence and power based upon perceived bad acts, and that doesn’t change simply because they die.”

In any case, Thatcher helped invent soft-serve ice cream… continued…

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After the official Inaugural balls, TV personalities, singers and actors jumped over to the W Hotel for the Electronic Arts’ after-party. It was hosted by singer John Legend along with music producer Pharrell Williams, a very-pregnant actress, Malin Akerman, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

There was a coat check but guests were wise to skip it as the party transpired on the hotel’s rooftop, half inside, half out, where it was cold and really windy. Both Legend and Williams spent the majority of their time, however, tucked away in the cozy, roped-off VIP area inside.

Several notables passed through the small red carpet section just outside the party, including MC Hammer, who posed for photos with the recently married Thomas Roberts of MSNBC, along with his husband Patrick Abner. (Hammer and Roberts pictured above.)

The door leading from the red carpet allowed people in but not out. It was a logistic that led to an ironic moment for MSNBC’s Touré. After he entered, he tried exiting to the area containing the working press. Despite being a fairly well-known TV host, he was told to go around to a separate door. He did so peacefully.

The party boasted two open bars, a waffle-making station and a type of Sims game photo booth.

Notables: actress Rosario Dawson; MSNBC’s Martin Bashir and Craig Melvin; music producers will.i.am and Jermaine Dupri; President of Americans for Tax Reform Grover Norquist; and style critic Phillip Bloch.

More photographs… continued…

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“I have a brain tumor,” Bashir told FishbowlDC last night when asked why he was absent from his TV program Friday. “It’s fine but it causes a problem from time to time,” he said.

The Daily Mail first reported Bashir’s tumor, quoting “a family friend” who at the time said “there are no signs that the tumour is cancerous, or that it will grow.”

Bashir was attending the Electronic Arts inauguration after-party at the W Hotel Monday night. The event hosted singer John Legend along with music producer Pharrell Williams, actress Malin Akerman, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

We spotted Bashir hanging out alone in the outdoor rooftop area. He told us the inside area had become “congested.” He also said that earlier at the party, he was approached by someone from a “Republican think tank” who questioned him on something “aggressively” and he was wary about speaking to the press.

He’s not the only TV journalist who suffered from health-related setbacks over the weekend. ABC News’ Barbara Walters reportedly fell on Friday while in Washington covering inauguration events. She ended up cutting her temple and being sent to the hospital. ABC’s “The View”s Whoopi Goldberg said today that “doctors stitched her up and she is doing fine, but they want her to take it easy.”

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Earlier this month on his MSNBC show Martin Bashir played a video clip featuring Krauthammer. When the clip ended he sarcastically apologized for any “young viewers who may have been frightened by that face.”

Last night on Joy Behar‘s Current TV show, CBS News Contributor Nancy Giles shared a similar sentiment. Behar began the discussion with FNC host Brian Kilmeade‘s recent joke that women at Fox are hired out of a Victoria’s Secret catalog.

continued…

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Female lawmakers on the dais shouted at him with cries of discrimination. Feminist and Democratic pundit Hilary Rosen and other offended women online also put him in his place. And then comes Rosen who jumped on Russert after the correspondent appeared on Martin Bashir‘s program. A particularly feisty Bashir grilled Russert about the beliefs of members of the Republican leadership, who won’t appear on his program. Russert answered his rapid fire questions as best he could. Could Rosen fare half as well? Even so, Rosen declared on Twitter, “NBC News should admit that its Luke Russert experiment is just not working out. Make him a producer.”

Russert, who doesn’t usually fire back at anyone, lashed back at Rosen. And we salute him for that… continued…

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Reporter gets scolded by stranger

“A crazy lady at the bus stop started yelling I was torturing her by using my iPhone. It tortures me too lady!” — Politico‘s Kate Nocera.

Tapper gives Aniston/Theroux his blessing

“Jennifer Aniston didn’t ask me what I thought about Justin Theroux, but I approve.” — ABC News White House Correspondent Jake Tapper.

The Observer

“The Counter-Narrative is kicking the Narrative’s ass today.” — NYT‘s Mark Leibovich.

A randy viewer to WaPo Columnist and MSNBC Contributor Jonathan Capehart: “@CapehartJ Kissing you on the lips for that article and don’t go wiping it off either.” He replied, “ROFL! No, ma’am.”

MSNBC host employs nickname for Paul Ryan

“At this hour, Blue Eyes is headed to Vegas.” — MSNBC’s Karen Finney filling in for Martin Bashir Tuesday afternoon.

AnonymASS Tipster…

“Umm, it’s Tuesday. Dipshits.” — a lovely reader writes in to tell us we had “Monday” on a Tuesday story. Indeed, the brilliant reader was right and simultaneously an asshole.

Speaking of assholes, too far?

“That’s mean, NY Post refers to Chris Christie as NJ’s “supersized governor.” Give the guy a break #Hotlinesort” — NJ “The Hotline’s” Editor-in-Chief Reid Wilson.

Journo’s home hit by tree

“Apparently there was a storm that went thru Pittsburgh and a tree was hit by lightening and hit my house ” — Pittsburgh Tribune-Review‘s Salena Zito.

Eddie Scarry contributed to this report.

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Granted, Mother Jones‘ Washington Bureau and MSNBC political analyst David Corn has such a thick head of hair that sometimes we like to refer to him as one of the Founding Fathers. When his silvery mane gets unruly he really can look like the spitting image of the late President Andrew Jackson. But yesterday he did something rather remarkable on MSNBC’s Martin Bashir program: He sneaked in a shot at Republicans on Capitol Hill who may not have such luxurious locks.

The topic: Fast and Furious. Yesterday the House found AG Eric Holder in contempt over a gun inquiry.

“Now they’re arguing over what the Justice Department response was to the congressional investigation, so it seems ever more peripheral,” Corn argued. “All these people who work on the Hill are pulling the little hair they have out of their heads over gun walking to Mexico. They don’t want to take a single productive step about solving or addressing that problem and that’s the real crime here.”

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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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Whose Lips?

Question of the hour…“Is Martin Bashir ever coming back? Or are we just going to have rotating weeks of Ezra Klein and [Jonathan] Capehart at 3 p.m. on MSNBC?” — Politico‘s Jennifer Epstein in a Tuesday tweet.

Journo sees bloodshed in Syria

“Just once I’d like to get through a day without seeing another dead child in Syria. I think I’ve seen four today. One is too much. Ever.” — NPR’s Andy Carvin in a Tuesday tweet.

HuffPost Hill snaps at Politico scribe

“No shit,” wrote HuffPost Hill (Editor: Eliot Nelson) in a reactionary RT of Politico‘s Byron Tau‘s message: “Matt Bai says Pawlenty failed to articulate a compelling reason for his candidate.” Read Bai’s piece here.

Buttry is butt of own joke

And now, JRC Employee and former TBD Community Engagement Director Steve Buttry gets a laugh at his own expense… “Who booked a flight this early? Me? Where do I complain about that?” By the way, he’s at Omaha Eppley Airfield, which he embarrassingly checked into on foursquare.

Journos on the run

“Morning run thru beautiful Dubuque–past a giant statue of ‘American Gothic’” — Politico‘s Glenn Thrush in a Tuesday tweet.

“Went running this am for the first time in 2 years, forgot how great it makes me feel. Machines at the gym just don’t compare.” — The Washington Examiner‘s Freeman Klopott in a Tuesday tweet.

The Media Critic

“Amazing how people cannot quote properly. Perry didn’t say ‘almost treasonous’ — quote was “almost treacherous … treasonous.” — Human Events’ Tony Lee in a Tuesday tweet. He points out that lefty ThinkProgress got the quote wrong by leaving out treacherous…see here. He adds that CNN’s Peter Hamby was among the few to get it right.

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Introductions…

“And please say hello to Michele Bachmann’s running mate Chuy.” — E!’s Chelsea Handler on her program Monday night when introducing her miniature sidekick Chuy Bravo.

Unnecessary Tweet of the Day

“Seriously, how did I get a mosquito bite on the bottom of my foot????” — TBD‘s Jeremy Binckes in a Monday tweet. Ladies and gentlemen, Binckes is a first-time offender in this category.

The Anticipator

“So far this is one of those town halls where I expect an audience member to use their question to compliment POTUS on his looks.” — The Hill‘s White House Correspondent Sam Youngman in a Monday tweet referring to President Obama‘s trip to Minnesota.

Journo boasts sexy physique

“Gonna hit the gym. I may even rock the wife beater. Because I can.” — Human Events‘ Jason Mattera in a Monday tweet. Until recently Mattera didn’t know the tank tops he wore were called “wife beaters.” You learn something new everyday, right?

Fried butter aftermath

“For the record, that butter on a stick thing was vile.” — ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper in a Monday tweet. Tapper spent last week in Iowa.

Journo love

“Talking Iowa on MSNBC in the 3 pm hour — or as we call it in the know, the ‘winner’s hour.’” — Slate’s Dave Weigel in a Monday tweet. He was referring to his pal, WaPo liberal blogger and lead Boybander Ezra Klein, who is filling in for MSNBC’s Martin Bashir this week in the 3 p.m. slot. (Tune in for our live-tweeting marathons of Klein’s appearances all week long by following us at @FishbowlDC.)

From the Road

“Thanks to those who recommended Centro last night for dinner in Des Moines, especially @bigjohnrc and @davidmdrucker. Delicious pork chops!” — Roll Call‘s Shira Toeplitz in a Tuesday morning tweet.

Summer Superlative winner pooh-poohs victory

“Thanks @fishbowldc! I wish I could say I was out celebrating, but it’s August and thus no open bars, so I’m at home on the couch. #bigbarfly” — The Washington Examiner‘s Nikki Schwab in a Monday reaction tweet to winning Biggest Open Barfly.

The Fashion Consultant

“Obama, tieless and in shirtsleeves, is looking pretty campaign-y at his town hall in Minnesota.” — Julian Hattem, D.C. correspondent for the Yomiuri Shimbun, a Japanese daily, in a Monday tweet.

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To Ezra With Love

“@ezraklein killing it on MSNBC right now.” — Fellow Boybander Chris Hayes, The Nation‘s Washington Bureau Chief, in a Thursday tweet while WaPo‘s liberal blogger Ezra Klein was hosting MSNBC’s Martin Bashir show. A naysayer, Derek Hunter, conservative writer and radio host, remarked, “Easy to do when you’re not bound by, or interested in, reality.” Hunter later remarked to FBDC, “You can’t polish a turd. It’s not the people reading the teleprompters that is causing audiences to stay away from MSNBC, it’s the content.” For anyone who may have missed yesterday’s monumental event of Klein hosting the Bashir program, we plan to live-tweet Klein at the show’s helm again today at 3 p.m. Follow us at @FishbowlDC.

Matthews gushes about Rep. Clyburn

“Chris, you’re so kind with your compliments.” — Asst. Democratic Leader James Clyburn (D-S.C.) after MSNBC’s “Hardball” Host Chris Matthews showered him with compliments on the program, calling him, among other favorable things, “sober-minded.”

Potentially dangerous journo

“If you run that picture on your website I’m going to f–king kill you.” — A mostly empty threat from Bloomberg TV’s Lizzie O’Leary at the MSNBC birthday party Thursday night after we snapped her picture. Nice to meet you too Lizzie!

In other unusual reportorial news… HuffPost‘s Sam Stein assures that his sliced pointer finger is back to normal with minimal scarring. Some months ago, the community was riveted (yes, riveted!) by his bloody trip to the ER when he required stitches after cutting himself.

Not exactly a lullaby

“Hate going to sleep on this shit.” — WaPo Express News Editor Clinton Yates in a Thursday night tweet. This was in reaction to this story by HuffPost: “MI hostage-taker commits suicide after killing 7 in shooting spree.” Read here.

Politico‘s Tau puts in plea for help

“So @benpolitico off for the next week. Expect more space shuttle pics and send your tips my way.” — Politico‘s Byron Tau, blogger Ben Smith‘s assistant in a morning tweet. Smith is in Latvia.

A real comedian of a tipster informs that he has a good story for us Thursday night, remarking… “But I have a scoop for you! Scandalous Weigel-Weiner item. Also involves Ezra and a three-legged cat.”

Ironic Washington twist

“Aren’t you going to welcome me to the party?” Politico‘s Mike Allen at the MSNBC party Thursday night. We’ve joked previously about Allen’s penchant for welcoming people to parties whether he’s hosting them or not. Why of course, Mike Allen, welcome to the party!

That’s a fact?! TIME’s Mark Halperin was on the guest list for MSNBC’s 15th birthday party Thursday night. He was recently suspended after calling POTUS a “kind of a d-ck” on “Morning Joe.” Halperin did not show up to the party. An insider surmised that he’s likely to return to the network as a policy analyst in a few weeks and that he lives in New York, so he likely stayed away for that reason only.

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Apparently Ann Coulter isn’t the only one who sends her book covers to Matt Drudge for approval.

Last night, at a party for Andrew Breitbart‘s new book “Righteous Indignation” hosted by The Daily Caller and Americans for Tax Reform, Breitbart admitted to doing the same.

Drudge told Breitbart he looked “like [he] went 10 rounds and won.” He also sought the advice of former Daily Caller columnist S.E. Cupp of GlennBeck.com, who said, “You look like Rip Torn when he got caught with his D.U.I.”

In brief speeches at the soiree, ATR’s Chris Butler said the book was “wonderful” and that he’d “devoured it,” while Daily Caller Editor-in-Chief Tucker Carlson called the night an “opportunity to bask in the glory of Andrew Breitbart.”

Breitbart then took the mic. Some of the best quotes:

• After cursing a few times: “My enemies are those who wouldn’t allow these expletives at a conservative party.” Carlson shouted “Fuck yeah!”
• “I know you’re supposed to be polite in this town.”
• MSNBC’s Martin Bashir “planted the seed of suicide in Michael Jackson‘s head.”

The party, at ATR’s downtown office, featured an open bar and free copies of Breitbart’s book, which he signed: “Fight the man!”

Among the hundreds of guests: Politico‘s Mike Allen, HuffPost‘s Jon Ward, Weekly Standard‘s Stephen F. Hayes, Republican pollster and CNN contributor Kellyanne Conway, NMS’ and formerly Washington Examiner‘s J.P. Freire, Cullen Murphy of the Atlantic, Human Events‘ Jason Mattera, Tony Blankley, CNN contributor Amy Holmes, recent Daily Caller hires Ginny Thomas and Publicist Kurt Bardella, ATR’s Grover Norquist, and Washington Examiner‘s Byron York, Tim Carney, and “Yeas & Nays” columnist Nikki Schwab. Also in attendance were TWT’s Liz Glover and Wonkette‘s Riley Waggaman, who were hoping to speak with Breitbart about the recent Wonkette controversy over a story the site published mocking Trig Palin.

We hope they made it home safely.

UPDATE: Waggaman emailed to clarify that Glover was there representing TWT, not Wonkette, and that her editors had other questions for her to ask Breitbart. He also said he had no plan to ask Breitbart about the Wonkette story. “When I am at an event with Breitbart, my primary objective is to get a silly photo with him, or maybe even let him squeeze my ass,” he wrote.

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I am not star-crazy but consider this your warning, ABC News: “I may act the fool when I see two of your WHCA Dinner guests – Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell from my favorite show, ABC’s Modern Family.”

If you don’t watch Modern Family, you should. Okay, enough of my PSA…on to the rest of ABC’s WHCD guest list.

J.J. Abrams and Katie McGrath will attend with George Stephanopoulos and Ali Wentworth. Additionally, ABC has “Hurt Locker” director Kathryn Bigelow and “Hurt Locker” screenwriter and producer, Mark Boal.

For Washington guests, ABC snagged Scott Brown, Leon Panetta, Julianna Smoot, Peter Orszag, Michelle Rhee and Kevin Johnson. Talent attending includes Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts, Cynthia McFadden, Martin Bashir, Terry Moran and Merriman Smith Award recipient Jake Tapper.

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• ABC: Charlie Gibson will anchor live coverage “Remembering Michael Jackson” at 1pmET, joined by “Nightline” anchor Martin Bashir. Some updates: Diane Sawyer, in NY, and Barbara Walters, at the Staples Center, will co-anchor a special edition of “20/20″ at 9pmET. Sawyer and Elizabeth Vargas will also co-anchor “Primetime: Family Secrets,” a report on Michael Jackson’s children at 10pmET. Cynthia McFadden will also anchor “Nightline” from the Staples Center.

• CBS: Maggie Rodriguez and Harry Smith will anchor the “Early Show” from the Staples Center tomorrow. Katie Couric will anchor special coverage of the memorial at 1pmET and the CBS “Evening News” from the Staples Center. Couric will also do “48 Hours” at 10pmET.

• NBC/MSNBC: NBC will televise the memorial service at 1pmET, anchored by Brian Williams. Chris Jansing will anchor MSNBC’s live coverage. Meredith Vieira will broadcast live tomorrow at the Staples Center for “Today” and Williams will anchor “Nightly News” from LA Tuesday.

• CNN: Anderson Cooper, Larry King, Don Lemon and Soledad O’Brien will host coverage live from LA, with Campbell Brown and Roland Martin anchoring live from New York, starting at NoonET on CNN and simulcast on CNN International.

• HLN: Robin Meade, A.J. Hammer and Jane Velez-Mitchell will anchor live coverage for HLN.

• Fox: Shepard Smith will anchor live coverage of the memorial service on Fox News starting at 1pmET. Megyn Kelly will anchor live coverage of the memorial on FOX broadcast also beginning at 1pmET. Greta Van Susteren will also be in LA on Tuesday, and will host her show from there Tuesday night.

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