Last week a variety of news outlets reported that a teenage girl was raped by an Uber driver and that it was caught on tape due to surveillance cameras at a family’s northwest Washington home. The home, situated in an affluent neighborhood mere blocks from the National Cathedral in Cleveland Park, is nearby to where WaPo CEO Don Graham used to live.

And yet, guess which hometown publication had NOTHING on it? If you guessed WaPo, you’d be right. So much for local news. Right, Marty Baron, who is apparently crazy for local news, doesn’t start until January 2, 2013.

The order of reportage is as follows: The news first broke on a Cleveland Park listserv and was then reported by Popville, which covers D.C., on Dec. 14 at 3:50 p.m. Washington City Paper ran a story that same day at 7 p.m. but gave no credit to Popville. A site known as Nibletz also ran something that day — no specific time stamp. NBC Washington waited until that following Monday, a gargantuan three days after Popville, to run anything. They, too, gave no credit to the previous publications that had stories.

Why the lack of coverage by WaPo? Read more

Urinals come in different shapes and sizes. Mike DeBonis, who mans WaPo‘s local news blog, prefers to pee in the ones that go all the way to the floor.

Is he afraid of missing?

“Four stars for Mintwood Place,” DeBonis tweeted late Saturday night, when most folks have urination on the mind. “Two of those stars are for the #fulllengthurinal.” Mintwood Place is an upscale restaurant in Adams Morgan and was actually given a three-star review by WaPo last month. Brent Davis, who works at Mintwood Place, tweeted in agreement. “Ha! It is a rather nice urinal,” he said.

“Um, that’s twice in one week that Mike DeBonis has expressed his affection for #fulllengthurinals,” independent D.C. blogger Ben Harris noted. “Just sayin.”

Indeed, just seven days earlier, DeBonis tweeted his affection for this particular type of pisser… Read more

Quotes of the Day — The Debate Edition

“Someone wrote me an email and said they thought the Secret Service was going to intervene.” — Politico‘s Mike Allen early this morning on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”

By Far, Funniest Reaction of the Night

“Mitt shot his whole wad in the first debate.” — D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton. Whoa, Eleanor, HUH?! WaPo‘s Mike DeBonis tried to come to her defense, saying, “To defend Eleanor Norton a bit, she’s an aficionado of antique muzzle loading firearms. I hope.”

Sweet and Sour Reaction to Candy

“Candy Crowley holding the reins tight tonight…no shenanigans in her house.” — NBC’s and E!’s Ryan Seacrest.

“Best & worst moment of debate was Candy correcting Romney – she was right, but I’m not sure she should have inserted herself in that way.” — Roll Call‘s Emily Pierce.

“Righties already trying to make this about the Qs and moderator.” — Politico‘s SENIOR political reporter Jonathan Martin in what may be his first understandable tweet in awhile. Congrats JMart!

“I’m terribly disappointed in Candy. I defended her today, and I was wrong.” — Houston Chronicle political blogger and Newsbusters’ Kathleen McKinley.

“Ok Candy, you better facilitate, not follow-up!” — Conservative blogger Matt Mackowiack.

“Candy Crowley proved why these media fact checkers are toxic liars.” — Breitbart.com’s John Nolte.

“(I worked with Candy Crowley at CNN and think she’s terrific)” — CBS News investigative journo Sharyl Attkisson.

“A lot of anger on the Twitters at Crowley for challenging Mitt. You see, that isn’t supposed to happen.” — WaPo lefty blogger Greg Sargent.

“I must say that if you aren’t drinking some Jack Daniels during this debate you really are missing something.” — Roll Call Columnist and Political Analyst Stuart Rothenberg.

“Who won the debate tonight? Candy Crowley. She knew her facts and made sure she pointed them out to her opponents. She’s got my vote.” — Author Jonathan Krohn.

Debate Recap: Top Quotes

“If Sec. Clinton is responsible for the security failure in Benghazi, who is responsible for 8 days of of b.s.about what happened that day?” — FNC’s Brit Hume.

“As a woman voter, I feel very wanted tonight!” — ABC talk show host Katie Couric.

“OMG. Panelist on FOX News just said ‘BULLSHIT!’” — ABC7′s Mike Conneen.

“I was filing during that Libya exchange, but holy living fuck.” — TPM‘s Brian Beutler.

“Candy Crowley halts Romney in his tracks, calling him out live in real time on an incorrect Libya statement.” — NYT‘s Ashley Parker.

“I’m excitable – but politics is about emotion as well as reason. My view is Obama halted Mitt’s momentum in its tracks.” — The Daily Beast‘s Andrew Sullivan.

“Watching the @politicolive show again on dc newschannell 8. Forget how fun it was to watch, albeit kind of a train wreck.” — QGA and longtime Senate flack Jim Manley.

“The town hall debate format makes me feel bad about the human condition, like that “What Would You Do” hidden camera show. #sighbinder” — Digital media exec Kenny Day.

“Bottom line: Obama was far more aggressive this time, these 2 men don’t like each other and this race is still a toss-up.” — The Hill‘s Managing Editor Bob Cusack.

“No one puts baby in a binder.” — National Journal‘s Chris Frates.

“Ok, goodnight everyone. tucking myself into my binder for some shuteye.” — AtlanticWire Senior Writer Jen Doll.

“Chris Matthews is wetting his pants in joy, gibbering like a meth freak on laughing gas.” — Conservative blogger and former TWTer Robert Stacy McCain.

“Bottom bottom line: Obama shows up big timme and wins. Is it enough to reverse the polarities?” — HuffPost‘s Howard Fineman.

“MSNBC fawning. Fox News fuming. A pox on both your houses.” — WaPo‘s Dan Zak.

“Love switching channels. MSNBC says clr Obama win, CNN, eh, slight Obama edge. Fox still talking about Benghazi.” — NYT‘s Jonathan Weisman.

“Did Van Jones just call Mitt Romney a ‘DOUCHE’ on CNN – @CNNSituationRoom? Wow, didn’t think that was permitted.” — former Eric Cantor Spokesman Brad Dayspring, who now works as senior adviser to the YG Action Fund.

Greta sees hot pink and blue

“Yes, it is true…both wives in a hot pink (or at least on my monitor it looks like hot pink but faces can be bluish on my tv monitor)” — FNC’s Greta Van Susteren.

Important Q to Ponder: “Do I have time to make pierogies before this debate? Yes, yes I do!” — The Washington Examiner‘s Nikki Schwab.

Something else to Ponder: “How, in a country as powerful and dynamic as ours, could bindersfullofwomen.com not already be taken?” — WSJ‘s Neil King.

The Observer

“You keep it crazy, Bobby Jindal.” — Ronan Farrow, son of Mia and Woody Allen, reacting to post debate interviews from Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. Farrow is a writer, human rights lawyer and formerly Sec. of State Hillary Clinton‘s Special Adviser for Global Youth issues.

And another journo eats chicken…

“Chicken in pot, my debate night tradition. Thanks, Herbert Hoover!” — blogger and pundit Craig Crawford. Anonymous writes in, “That’s a sweet tradition, but his shicken looks like a dog’s dinner.”

Good rap quote from whitest guy in Washington

“Mystikal: That’s right my meat and potatoes come from my lyrical label I throw my rhymes for No Limit like Jeff George throw for the Raiders” — NBC’s Luke Russert.

Ouch!

“Joe Scarborough will suck-up to a guest, then trash-talk them 24 hours later. Tells you all you need to know…#MSNBCfail” — The Daily Caller TV Reporter Jeff Poor.

Peter Ogburn and Eddie Scarry contributed to this report.

Quotes of the Day

Keeping Up With the Luxxerians…From L to R: GWU’s Nick Massella, Washingtonian‘s Wedding and Style Editor Kate Bennett and psychotherapist Glennon Gordon and (in royal blue dress) Sunni from WPGC 95.5′s “Sunni and the City” posing with hairstylist Luigi Parasmo at a “Botox and Locks” event this week where guests could get discounted Botox and hair services. Sunni had a haircut and styling by Luigi and her makeup done by Flami the makeup artist. Botox was offered by Dr. Ayman Hakki of Luxxery Medical Boutique.

WaPo reporter takes issue with reader

“To the lady who called to complain about my ‘incorrect’ use of ‘quotidian’ and how we have no editors here anymore….. I’m sorry I was being, as you said, ‘obstinate.’ But you’re wrong. My use solidly within ‘usual or ordinary,’ second def in Webster’s New World. That said, a reader suggested ‘humdrum,’ which is better.” — WaPo‘s Mike DeBonis.

Blogger (jokingly?) boasts of sexual prowess

“Like Gore Vidal, I had 1000 sexual encounters by the time I was 25. Of course, I was the only one in the room for most.” — Sam Husseini, who works for the Institute of Public Accuracy and blogs for Washington Stakeout.

WaPo’s Marcus question’s media’s gaffe coverage

“So I’m not against gaffe coverage — I’m against covering only gaffes, which is where campaign reporting seems to be trending. I’m not against politicians’ seizing on opponents’ gaffes — I’m against politicians who believe, or act as if they believe, that this tactic can substitute for substantive campaign discussion.” — WaPo‘s Ruth Marcus in a column today.

When a quote shouldn’t be a quote

In a “story” Tuesday, DCist’s illustrious dweeb Ben Freed writes about The Daily Caller‘s gun contest in which he or she who catches their porn hacker wins a gun. He writes, “We know what you’re thinking. Are they for fucking real?” Then he quotes a former Daily Caller staff writer who answers his dumb rhetorical question and says, “Probably.” Hardly quotable, Freed. Might want to approach the publicist, current editor or reporter. Could be helpful. And if you’re going to quote a former reporter? At least get something worthy.

Say hello to Tschida’s puppy

“Just in case anyone is wondering how puppy is doing.” — ABC7′s Stephen Tschida. No drama today, just cuteness.

Strange reunion in the park

“Nearly running over @jmsummers in Thomas Circle Park is definitely one of the weirder things to happen to me this year.” — CBS 12 West Palm Beach Producer Robert Kessler, referring to Politico‘s infamous campaign reporter Juana Summers. We’ve checked in with Juana to make sure she’s okay. She explained that Robert is a good friend from college. “I was walking home from work through Thomas Circle and was attempting to make it across the light even though I didn’t have the right of way,” she wrote. “I looked over and he happened to be driving the car that was waiting for me to cross.  No collision, just the oddest reunion I’ve had in a while.”

Over the weekend, The Native Makers, the rock band featuring Carl Hulse on the drums, rocked Capitol Hill in an event labeled Rock and Roll Apocalypse. Hulse, the NYT Deputy Bureau Chief, ripped through a series of cover songs at the 18th Amendment on Capitol Hill. The playlist leaned heavily on the Rolling Stones and other classic rock favorites. In a bizarre stage setup, the band was forced to play directly beneath a giant TV playing a “Rocky” movie marathon. The howls of Grateful Dead cover songs provided a very unique soundtrack to Rocky Balboa’s defeat of Clubber Lang.

Jamming in the crowd were WSJ’s Neil King with his wife, Shalaigh Murray , who is now communications director for VPOTUS. Also spotted: HuffPost’s Arthur Delaney, WaPo’s Mike DeBonis and Susan G. Komen’s Kiki Ryan with Tim Burger. Quinn Gillespie & Associates was well repped with both John Feehery and Jim Manley in attendance in a marked sign of bipartisanship.

This morning we’re pairing WaPo‘s Mike DeBonis, who covers the District of Columbia, with Jason Furman, Principal Deputy Director of the National Economic Council.

WaPo‘s Mike DeBonis is out this week until after Labor Day to have a procedure on his eyes.

He explains as much on his blog, “Well, folks, the storm’s a-coming, and I am abandoning you. Unless Irene intervenes, I’m scheduled to undergo an eye procedure next week which will put me out of commission until after Labor Day. Till then, savor today’s not-a-column — should D.C. revisit term limits? — and stay with Capital Weather Gang and Post Local all weekend for total Irene coverage.”

We wish DeBonis well with the procedure and expect to hear all the gory details next week.

A nod to WaPo‘s Mike DeBonis, who first spotted and wrote about it on Twitter. See if you, too, can find the mistake in the following:

Find out after the jump…

Read more

QUOTES of the DAY

ALEXANDER HAMILTON WEIGEL? “Happy Civil War Day! Here’s the statue of the CSA’s vice president in the Capitol.” — Slate‘s Dave Weigel in a Tuesday tweet accompanied by the above photograph.

Two rude journalists named ‘Mike’

“Both @mikedebonis and I are tweeting from dinner table. Because we’re rude.” — WCP‘s Managing Editor Mike Madden in a Tuesday night tweet. Mike Debonis works for WaPo and covers local politics.

Overused words on Twitter

“If cable TV abuses the words ‘exclusive’ and ‘breaking,’ Twitter has ruined ‘must read’, ‘genius’ and ‘brilliant’” — Slate‘s John Dickerson in a Tuesday tweet.

Rolling Stone writer gives Politico blogger stamp of approval

“Acts of journalism committed at State Department presser! Watch out Pentagon press corps, it might be contagious!” — Rolling Stone‘s Michael Hastings in a Tuesday tweet. He linked to Politico‘s Josh Gerstein‘s “Under the Radar” blog here.

What’s it really like to work with HuffPost‘s Terkel?

“Lies. I’m sunshine & lollipops.” — HuffPost‘s Amanda Terkel in a Tuesday tweet in response to Think Progress Editor Faiz Shakir jokingly (we think) suggesting she has some rage. He replied, “Sunshine on outside, thunderous rage on the inside.”

Journo’s kid won’t likely grow up to be The Donald

“Teaching my toddler the difference b/w positive & negative attention. So I guess I’ve destroyed his chances of being the next Donald Trump.” — Politico‘s Molly Ball in a Tuesday tweet. Hopefully she’s also giving the child an alternative hairdo.

We have a birder in our midst…

“Bald eagle with fish in claws just flew over DC’s Roosevelt Bridge to his Potomac River perch.” — U.S. News & World Report’s Paul Bedard in a Tuesday tweet.

Sam Stein: You’ve Been Warned

“@samsteinhp If you keep this up I’m going to have to block you.” — Former Bush White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer in a Monday tweet to HuffPost‘s Sam Stein. A little context: The Fleisher/Stein feud concerns Red Sox Vs. Yankees trash talking.

Someone pinch her

“Let me just say ‘Morning Joe’ is the greatest show in the world because I’m sitting here with Robert Redford. [Norah's famous laughter] Oh and Mike Barnicle.” — NBC’s Norah O’Donnell on MSNBC this morning.

The Underwear Question

“Is there a woman within the range of these pixels who needs to check to know the color of her underpants? Or a man who doesn’t?” — WaPo‘s Gene Weingarten in a Tuesday tweet. An hour later, he concluded, “FWIW: More than a few women have reported personal underpants ignorance. Ergo, my thesis is disproven, and withdrawn.”

This just in…WaPo reporter Dan Zak announces that computers are down.

@MrDanZak: “Computers just lost power in the newsroom. Everyone’s standing up, actually talking to each other now. Lunch!”

WaPo Federal Eye blogger Ed O’Keefe also commenting on the outage:

“A power outage is impacting parts of our newsroom.”

Update #1: A WaPo reporter tells me, “Looks like our internet crashed. Messages indicate it was a major, major crash.”

Update #2: WaPo newsroom empties out.

Update #3: WaPo Book World Editor Ron Charles treats crash like a potential snow day, tweeting, “Who knows — maybe we’ll all have to go work at home!”

Update #4: A more dramatic WaPo local politics reporter Mike Debonis writes: “Mass internet outage at WaPo. Mass panic … err, mass curiosity ensues.” And then adds, “Down elevators packed as aimless WaPo worker bees depart en masse…”

Update #5: WaPo‘s Lindsay Applebaum reports, “Angry editors and reporters, standing and waiting for power. Aaand lunch break.”

Update #6: One WaPo reporter sounds pretty unruffled. Tells FishbowlDC: “Have heard there is an internet outage. No emails for the last 30 mins.”

Update #7: That was relatively fast. Power is back on, a WaPo reporter tells me.