Quotes of the Day

Bo Obama’s future boyfriend: “I dedicate this 5,001th tweet to twitter star Japser, his new gop collar and his America pillow. Thanks Jasper!” — FNC’s Dana Perino. 

Begala advertises his critic

Husband, father and citizen MattRGilbertson writes, “@PaulBegala Confidence in Paul Begala, sadly, at all time low.” (As RT by CNN Democratic Commentator Paul Begala.)

Caucasian journo self-conscious when ordering “gringo” tacos

“Whenever I order the “gringo” tacos at Super Taco, they must be thinking, ‘Of course HE would.’” – Washington City Paper’s City Desk reporter Will Sommer.

Dunkin’ Donut clerk gets brutally honest with TV journo

“Working near Dunkin Donuts. Had 2 for lunch. Went in later for bathroom. Clerk looked at me and said ‘you dont need another donut.’” — ABC7′s Stephen Tschida.

Dare to dream…“I wish people would learn how Twitter works before engaging sometimes.” — Breitbart.com and CNN Contributor Dana Loesch.

What does it take to make Ed Henry’s day shine?

“My day brightens ever so slightly … Sheila E. will be performing at the President’s event in North Las Vegas #80′srock” — FNC White House Correspondent Ed Henry.

Too much patchouli is never optimal

“If you told me a month ago that climate would be a major issue in last week of election, I’d have said the patchouli was going to your head.” — BuzzFeed Washington Editor John Stanton.

The Critic

“Eva Longoria pronounces “Nevada” wrong. #journalism” — Yahoo! News‘ Chris Moody.

Quote Taken Out of Context

“Great. First, it was the liberal trolls. Now I’m getting Jew-hating trolls.” — Conservative blogger Robert Stacy McCain.

Dept. of Bragiculture: A special shout-out to Patricia Blaze, who was watching ABC’s “The View” Thursday and caught Whoopi and Joy chatting about a mediabistro story about Mitt Romney being the butt of late night jokes.

See who made our FishbowlDC Fan Club Board this week…

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Journos and pundits felt the sting of strangers’ words last night as they covered the debate. Such is the norm these days in online media.

As Matthew Ortega (who’s he? beats us, we’d never heard of his highness before), a hip hop aficionado and a digital director in Washington, proceeded to call us “trash”, RedState Editor and CNN Contributor Erick Erickson was also taking his online beating. “You sir are an idiot,” declared Sam Cantanzaro (i.e. @samsfoodblog).

Even The Fix, WaPo‘s politically neutral blog wasn’t immune. “Losers: you,” remarked @johnspeake. To which the blog’s proprietor, Chris Cillizza, graciously replied, “Always.”

WaPo‘s Ezra Klein lashed out more generally at all pundits, even though he often straddles a delicate line of punditry, journalism and Democratic strategy. “If pundits want to say who won politically, as opposed to on substance, they should wait for polls of actual voters,” he wrote.

Of course there’s always an element of pettiness that emerges on nights like these. “John King needs a haircut. Time pressure of a campaign must be keeping him from the barber,” wrote Ari Fleischer, a bald CNN Contributor who appeared on the network last night alongside the hairy King.

And insults are a pastime. “The fact that Chris Wallace poses as a straight news reporter is a total joke,” wrote ClearChannel’s Colby Hall, referring to the “Fox News Sunday” host “What a douche.”

During the previous debate, CNN Democratic Political Contributor Paul Begala was told to get a brain and grow some hair. This time, the brilliantly named @eatmerawson remarked, “Paul Begala, you always look like you’ve just sucked on a lemon when you speak on air. Eat some more lemons sourpuss.” Eat Me Raw tagged on a smiley face for good measure.

At 11:22 p.m. Katrina vanden Heuvel of The Nation came unglued and… Read more

Pundits and journos of opposing political persuasions took their share of punches last night as debate coverage rolled late into the night.

CNN’s Paul Begala: From a follower — “Paul, grow some hair, and get a brain!!”

CNN’s Ari Fleischer: From Ari — “So according to Twitter I’m a magical undead gentle greyhound lizard zombie vampire vulcan. Got it.” This stemmed from follower Emily Pranger, who wrote, “Whoa. Ari Shapiro looks undead.” Chris Dlugosz added, “I never realized until now that Ari Shapiro looks liks a magical gentle lizard.” And yet another Emily wrote, “Presidential debate. This Ari Shapiro guy looks like he’s 15 and 97 all at once. Without a doubt a vampire.”

CNN’s David Gergen: “David Gergen looks like a thumb.” — IowaHawk‘s David Burge.

Breitbart.com‘s and CNN Contributor Dana Loesch: From a follower, Selena Hines — “@DLoesch Oh shut up! I’m about sick of you!! Romney has been disrespectful the entire debate! Your probably racist.”

The Daily Caller‘s Matt Lewis: From Lewis — “An angry reader ends an email to me with this: ‘May God have mercy on your soul.’”

MetroWeekly Co-Publisher Sean Bugg had feedback for CNN as a whole. Or else a confessional. He wrote, “CNN just hurts my eyes before I can even get to any sort of judgment about their journalism.” And Barron‘s Washington Editor James McTague agreed, saying, “Small wonder CNN ratings are so low.”

As many Washington journos and pundits know too well, appearing on TV means opening themselves up to an infinite cast of critics who assess their looks. CNN Democratic Political Contributor Paul Begala took exception to a recent insult.

I prefer “fugly.” MT”@drtesla33: @alexiabutcherBegala is on tv all the time, people who have seen him in person say he’s ugly”

— Paul Begala (@PaulBegala) September 8, 2012

It can’t be a coincidence that the woman who insulted Begala has the last name “Butcher.” But all ends well that begins horribly as Washington can have that absurdly small town feel. A web developer then questioned Begala on where he gets his hair cut, wondering if it’s Louis’ Barber Shop. “Was in there a couple years back for a haircut and could have sworn you were sitting their waiting as I was leaving,” said web developer Joel Housman. Sure enough, Begala said he has gone to the barber shop for the past 20 years.

Quotes of the Day

“The Oval Office at night” — by West Wing Reports. (@WestWingReport)

Reporter doubles down on double down usage

“Not long ago, the vast majority of all ‘doubled down’ usages were in baseball stories–til it became an abused Washington political cliche.” — WSJ‘s Neil King.

Vocabulary overload

“Used the word ‘miasmic’ on the radio this morning. Taking the rest of the day off.” — The Atlantic‘s Molly Ball. Definition from The Free Dictionary: “a noxious atmosphere or influence.”

Dicking Around

“When a person extends himself to another in a trusting way.. makes her less likely to hold back & less likely to cheat.” — CBS Political Director and Slate‘s John Dickerson, who links to this piece on the science behind cheating, cruelty and greediness and other issues of morality.

Begala bashes the predictors

“Since some idiot predicts a brokered convention every cycle and it never happens, let me predict one for 2016 and get it out of our system.” — CNN Democratic pundit Paul Begala.

Publicist wants to cool off turned on computer

“Can someone make a computer that COOLS OFF when (overly) turned on? My lap and I would BUY THAT.” — Rachel Cothran, a publicist who also writes the ProjectBeltway fashion blog.

Words to live by…

“There are big ships and small ships. But the best ship of all is friendship.” — Sophia Nelson, who is increasingly become one of my favorite Fishbowl characters. It’s like she’s the anti-Washington, swooping in to vaccinate everyone.

Quotes of the Day

Would You Eat This Crap? “Just had a plate full of CRAZY food for dinner here in Seoul… actually a couple of plates full. It was a buffet. ” — NBC Washington cameraman Jim Long in Seoul.

Also in Seoul: “So I have 16 hours left in Korea. and I never got over my jetlag. #UGH” — Politico‘s Jennifer Epstein.

Don’t worry, Rush is ok!

“Thanks for your good wishes…I’m fine, folks. @mmfa is like jock itch. An irritating chafe. A little baby powder and voila!” — Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh.

Attention grabbing headline in WaPo: “Germantown man convicted of manslaughter in fight over clogged toilet” — Don’t laugh too hard readers. Two housemates got into a squabble over a clogged toilet and one man is dead. Let this be a lesson to everyone to keep their bathrooms clean and their toilet paper stocked. Read the story here.

Journo Love

“The bookers for @CNNSitRoom deserve a raise. Romney, Gingrich & Santorum on same show with @wolfblitzercnn. Nice job!” — CNN Commentator Paul Begala.

A scribe’s gratitude for CNN’s Wolf Blitzer

“Oh good, Wolf is going to tell us about the teenager with the empty pot bag.” — Former Gawker Political Editor and general vagabond for the time being Jim Newell.

Cameras inside the court?

“We should have TV cameras inside the Supreme Court. This is the third branch of government, not the CIA.” — TWT Senior Opinion Writer Emily Miller.

Potentially risqué act

“Should I teach my computer’s spell-check to understand the word ‘Santorum’?” — JRC’s Jeremy Binckes.

Reporter soon heads to Afghanistan

“Thanks for the #MilitaryMonday love. A week from today, I should be blogging from Afghanistan. Hope you’ll follow along.” — War correspondent for Marine Corps Times Dan Lamothe.

Today at 3 p.m.: Syndicated columnist and Bullfight Strategies’ Karl Frisch hosts the Thom Hartmann show. TIME: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Details here.

Quotes of the Day

Weingarten appalled.

“I’m appalled at the number of people who interpreted my innocent, joyful left-hand tweet from this a.m. as something masturbatory.” — WaPo‘s Gene Weingarten.

HOH confused for dating site

“Dear person who believes I run an online dating site. HOH doesn’t mean what you think it does … #justsaying.” — Roll Call‘s HOH Columnist Neda Semnani. The backstory: A reader wrote in to ask if they could guest blog on HOH, which they presumed was an African American online dating site.

Congressman mangles Chuck Todd’s name

“Well, Chad, Mitt Romney should be channeling…” — Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) on “The Daily Rundown” this morning. Chad, or Chuck, didn’t flinch and didn’t correct him.

Headline that could raise eyebrows at NBC…“Lunch Break Video: Tuc Watkins and David Gregory wear speedos.” No, not that David Gregory. This is the hunky soap star on One Life to Live.

A trick question from DCist’s Ben Freed: “Examiner, TBD, HuffPost people, what food item, if dropped off for free, would your newsroom go absolutely nuts over?”

The Heckler

“Hey @RickSantorum, I bet U pay a higher tax rate than Millionaire Mitt. He uses offshore tax havens. Ask him why in [today's] #CNNdebate.” — CNN Democratic Commentator Paul Begala.

Talking dirty

“Learned a new TV term today: ‘hot edit.’ It’s not what you think.” — PBS’s Christina Bellantoni.

Excuses that work…

“It is starting to look like my ‘but I can’t file a piece today, the INTERNET IS BROKEN’ excuse will work afterall. #sopa” — The Guardian‘s Ana Marie Cox.

CNN continued to beef up its roster of 2012 political contributors with the addition Democratic strategist Maria Cardona and conservative columnist David Frum today.

Cardona currently heads the public affairs practice at Dewey Square Group, where she founded the Latinovations practice that focuses on Latino strategic outreach on national, state and local levels. During the 2008 Democratic primary election, she was senior adviser and spokesperson to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign and served on the campaign’s Hispanic outreach team.  A former communications director for the Democratic National Committee, Cardona also served as a spokesperson at the U.S. Departments of Justice and Commerce during the Clinton administration.

David Frum is the editor and founder of the conservative website FrumForum.com. From 2001 to 2002, Frum served as special assistant and speechwriter to President George W. Bush. During the 2008 election season, he served as senior foreign policy advisor to the Rudy Giuliani presidential campaign.  He is a former editor of the Wall Street Journal’s editorial page and six time author.

Cardona and Frum join the CNN’s existing lineup of political contributors which includes John Avlon, Paul Begala, Bill Bennett, Donna Brazile, James Carville, Alex Castellanos, Erick Erickson, Ari Fleischer, David Gergen, Roland Martin, Mary Matalin and Hilary Rosen.

Mediocre blackberry pic of Matthews and Freeman by yours truly.

Renowned actor Morgan Freeman graced DC last evening for a screening of “Invictus,” which hits theaters December 11th. Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Matt Damon, it’s the story of South African President Nelson Mandela’s campaign to host the 1995 Rugby World Cup event in his first term.

MSNBC’s Chris Matthews hosted a Q&A with Freeman at National Geographic after the screening, which received a standing ovation from a nearly full theater that included the likes of Fox News’ Chris Wallace, CNN’s David Bohrman, Kevin Madden and President Obama’s right-hand man Reggie Love.

“You can’t tell Mandela’s whole story in a movie,” Freeman said of the rugby storyline he convinced Eastwood to direct. Matthews first opened questions to South Africans in the audience– “you portray Mr. Mandela very well” and “the movie was emotional,” women at the screening said to Freeman.

The “Invictus” star admits he has yet to see the film, though he will when it premieres. “I’m terrified… I’d much rather believe you when you say it’s good,” he said.

As for who should play Obama in a movie, Freeman definitively says “Denzel,” as in actor Denzel Washington.

Also in attendance: USA Today‘s Susan Page, MSNBC’s David Shuster, Bloomberg’s Julianna Goldman, ABC’s Rick Klein and David Chalian, WaPo‘s Jonathan Capehart, CNN’s Gloria Borger, Paul Begala, Sam Feist and Peter Hamby, Politico‘s Mike Allen, Jonathan Martin, Ken Vogel and Kiki Ryan, CongressDaily‘s Erin McPike, Time‘s Jay Newton Small, Roll Call‘s Shira Toeplitz, CBS’ Laura Strickler, Matthew Cooper, Karen Finney, Lee Brenner, Mark Adelman, Mark Paustenbach, Taylor Griffin and Michael Feldman, among others.

Warner Bros. and Mandela Day hosted the screening.

Uncle Sam turned to veteran White House reporter Helen Thomas for some advice, and she gave it to him like it is (via Funny or Die).

Uncle Sam has also turned to James Carville, Paul Begala and Tucker Carlson- Carville even gave him a dollar, saying he can pay him back “when you get the other 14 trillion paid off.”

(h/t FamousDC)