Quotes of the Day

“Smoke was coming out of my phone yesterday.” — NBC “TODAY” Show’s Savannah Guthrie on announcing her engagement to Michael Feldman Monday.

Editor wants to prank house sitter

“Friend stayed @ our house while we were away. Thinking of removing all furniture & taking photos, telling him, ‘You forgot to lock the door!’” — WaPo Book World Editor Ron Charles.

Postcard to DOJ

“Dear DOJ: my email password is “GoScrewYourselves’” — Daily Beast Contributor Justin Green in reaction to news that DOJ secretly obtained phone records of AP reporters and editors.

Important Q to Ponder: “Can’t we just ban talking points altogether? Or would that just confuse everyone?” – NYT‘s Mark Leibovich, who has a book coming out this summer that isn’t worrying anyone (wink wink).

Journo followed strange source rules

“In Belfast, had source who wouldn’t let me call or email. Ever. I had to go to house, but not park o/side. Got to know his wife & kids well.” — Toby Harnden, Washington Bureau Chief of The Sunday Times.

The Fashion Hound

“No one on television has better ties than Brian Williams. (And that’s what really counts.)” — Politico‘s Roger Simon.

WORST HEADLINE OF THE WEEK

By HuffPost‘s Jason Linkins

Paranoia Strikes

• “Someone walking n th bldg behind me who asked wt floor I live on last time. If they do it again I’m running down th hall yelling STRANGER!” — Editor of The DC Pundit Javonni Brustow.

• “Have never been this terrified of the sound of an approaching ice cream truck. Got the feeling it’s secretly a black helicopter.” — Justin Green.

Words to live by or casting call for Bad Girls Club?

“I love bad bitches.” — Meghan McCain.

World crumbles as reporter’s TV show is not on and, by far, the strangest news of the day concerning a Politico reporter.

Read more

QUOTES of the DAY

Reporter learns chest hair is not suncreen

“Lesson learned on vacation: chest hair does not substitute for sbf50 sunscreen” — HuffPost‘s Sam Stein.

Unsolicited advice

“To the guy awkwardly breaking up w/someone via phone outside my apartment: you’re doing it wrong.” — Politico‘s Juana Summers.

A novel idea

“When reading a novel I often involuntarily visualise a friend as a character. Gets weird if character misbehaves, has inappropriate sex etc.” — The Sunday Times Washington Bureau Chief Toby Harnden.

More unsolicited advice

Gregory (6:28 a.m. Sunday): “Big Sunday – my son’s championship basketball game AND my interview with Speaker Boehner on @meetthepress”

Fournier (6:35 a.m. Sunday): “Same advice for you on both events: call fouls loudly. You’ll see a lot of ‘em. #boehner #lovethatboy.”

Uh oh.

“Spam on #maddow hashtag is not coming from the show or any producers. Have reached out to Twitter to investigate.” — msnbcPR.

Weigel notices “weird” people

“An unexplained Metro delay really lets you focus on how many weird people are waiting with you.” — Slate‘s Dave Weigel.

Outside Observers

“There’s no place in the world that loves local celebrities as much as Washington. #Woodward” — MSNBC Contributor and The Nation correspondent Ari Melber.

“So true, a friend who recently moved to DC: “DC sucks, I was getting dinner and everyone was talking about Bob Woodward.” — BuzzFeed‘s Andrew Kaczynski.

Politico Playbook Publish Time: 6:25 a.m.

Necessary Tweet of the Day

“Someone’s wireless network in my building is called ‘Monkeypants.’ #Bold.” — NRSC Strategist Brad Dayspring.

Peter Ogburn contributed to this report.

Quotes of the Day

BIRTHDAY GIRL: “Bom dia Rio. Thanks sun for coming out today on my birthday eve.” — USA Today travel writer Nancy Trejos.

Ouch!

“Maybe if Holly Petraeus spent a little less time at the CPFB…….” — Free Beacon‘s Michael Goldfarb.

Right-wing writer concedes one nice thing about Obama

“The one — ONE — thing I agree with Barack Obama on is that Homeland is the best show on TV.” — TWT senior ppinion writer Emily Miller.

From a very nerdy Dept. of Bragiculture…

“Cool moment. Ran into Sen. Leahy just now at DCA. We talked about Phish. He said his son knows Trey. He’s a Dead guy but loves Phish, too.” — National Review Online‘s Robert Costa.

Reporter makes desperate plea for coffee

“One million preteen kids just boarded my metro car. Save me. #havenothadenufcoffeeforthis” — WSJ bank reg reporter Victoria McGrane.

The Ass Kisser

“Very interesting piece here by @DylanBiers.” — Commentary‘s John Podhoretz. (Last week the pair was bickering until PodWhore realized Byers wasn’t actually insulting him. Now they’re in love. )

Scribe says other woman’s hubby is alleged douchebag

“You’re a pretentious douchebag if Dear Abby isn’t good enough for your problems and you have to seek out the NY Times ‘Ethicist’ columnist.” — The Daily Caller TV writer Jeff Poor. (The Ethicist received a letter frighteningly similar to the situation swirling around Paula Broadwell, alleged mistress to General David Petraeus.)

And this from a facetious Politico reporter… “Dear Ethicist: I work in an information security-related field but am considering writing explicit and career-destroying emails. Help me?” — Politico‘s Alexander Burns.

The Complimenter

“The 2013 Calendar sent out to all its print subscribers reminds me of what an amazing photographer team @washingtonpost has on its rolls.” — WSJ‘s Raju Narisetti, formerly of WaPo.

NPR’s Andy Carvin works on final edit of his book in Istanbul, a publicist weighs in on latest sex scandal to rock D.C., a CNN Contributor has a problem with his hip flexor and two straight journos have a gay convo… Read more

Quotes of the Day

Spoken like a true gentleman with bad hair

“Pervert alert. Rep. Weiner is back on twitter. All girls under the age of 18, block him immediately.” — former possible thought about it for 20 minutes GOP Presidential hopeful Donald Trump.

A fitting ending

“Back row by toilet on last shuttle out of Boston to DC – election 2012 version of last helicopter out of Saigon.” — The Daily Mail‘s Toby Harnden.

Important Q to Ponder: “Whats the going rate that the tooth fairy gives for a baby tooth these days?” — ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper.

Compliments from Manhattan

“BuzzFeed DC killing it today, which is good bc some of us are barely functional up here today.” — BuzzFeed Political Editor Ben Smith.

Moving on (sort of, not really)

“State Dept press corps cracking jokes today about how many Congressional hearings on Benghazi we’ll have to cover, fueled by GOP vengeance.” — McClatchy foreign policy reporter Hannah Allam.

And now for the more important things in life…

“Garrett’s Caramel Corn. If you’ve had it, I need not say more. Just raise a hand and smack your lips. Yum!” — NPR’s Michele Norris.

“A fun evening out at @washingtonian‘s Whiskey Fest. Finally got to taste Vermont’s own, Whistlepig Whiskey.” — Washingtonian Editor Garrett Graff.

The Movie Critic?

“OVERRATED 007! Caught show in London last week, Marble Arch. Low budget comes thru on screen, no gadgets, locations by Priceline.com.” — Matt Drudge.

GOP’s eat their own

“Bill O’Reilly is totally full of crap in his analysis.” — Conservative blogger and former TWTer Robert Stacy McCain on the FNC host.

Want to join Glenn Beck in jumping off a cliff? Also: The gay harassment of FBDC’s Peter Ogburn’s continues… Read more

Quotes of the Day – Election Banter

“Holy. Cow. The magic wall… Is ON THE FLOOR” — The Atlantic Associate Editor Brian Fung.

Green Eggs and Ham — why not?

“Mic check guy just read ‘Green Eggs & Ham,’ in its entirety, at Obama election night HQ. Now reading the Constitution.” — HuffPost‘s Jennifer Bendery.

All in a day’s work

“2 stories & 2,600 words already written today, the last 1,000 drunk will be tougher.” — InTheseTimes labor journo Mike Elk.

5:51 p.m. Famous Last Words

“CONFIDENCE: Romney tells the traveling press he FEELS like a win is coming. He’s written only one speech so far: a victory speech.” — NBC News’ Garrett Haake.

Foreshadowing….5:51 p.m.

“Some rare, non spin on twitter –> RT @jmartpolitico: A senior GOPer w close ties to Romneyland emails a single word: ‘worried.’” — HuffPost‘s Sam Stein.

In response to that… “So people in Romney camp sending out nervous messages to liberal reporters? Really? Wonder how big the camp is.” — Commentary‘s PodWhore (a.k.a. John Podhoretz.)

Reporters and Romney staff clap: the end is near

“Applause on Romney plane — from reporters and staff — as we land in Boston. Final flight of Romney 2012 campaign is over.” — AP‘s Steve Peoples.

Oops! Flack gets ahead of herself: 6:03 p.m.

“I’m not saying this to get ahead of myself, but is Obama capable of giving a graceful concession speech? I’m not sure.” — Amanda Carpenter, speechwriter for Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.).

Channeling Carville

“Carville (paraphrase): If Romney loses Virginia he’s in more trouble than a three-legged, cross-eyed gator on a freeway. #election2012″ — National Journal mag Deputy Editor James Oliphant on Democratic pundit James Carville.

And another thing on Carville…“For god’s sake someone either tighten Carville’s tie or unbutton his top button.” — TPM‘s Evan McMorris-Santoro. And this…“On CNN, James Carville is so excited he seems to have removed his exoskeleton.” — Vanity Fair.

Unraveling…7:17 p.m.

“It’s 7:20 and my nerves are already shot. #ElectionDay2012 #TeamRomney” — MSNBC and The Daily Beast‘s Meghan McCain.

Watch your words around the kiddies, journo warns

“Careful y’all: Your kids are learning a lot about how to win and lose graciously by how you act today.” — Politico‘s Patrick Gavin.

Attack on Trump minus his name

“Is there anyone who punches further below their weight than rich guys who dabble in politics?” — BuzzFeed Political Editor Ben Smith.

From the Road…“AT THIS POINT: crowd at Dem HQ is ready to cheer for nearly anything. Just screamed like Obama being up in Minnesota is 1980 gold. #openbar” — CNN’s Lisa Desjardins.

 ’Saucy’ Meghan Kelly

“Meghan Kelly is serving #curlytopsaucy tonight on Fox.” — Bravo’s Andy Cohen.

Politico reporters: Relax? Forget it!

“To all the road-weary reporters who just want a break: Congrats! You’ll be sitting in the Senate press gallery for the next 9 months.” — Fake Jim VandeHei, faux Twitter account to Politico Executive Editor Jim VandeHei.

Important, Embarrassing Question to Ponder: “So Megyn Kelly had to get white men in suits to confirm that Obama would go to Ohio. (Because her audience wouldn’t believe her?)” — Reuter‘s Megan McCarthy.

 In praise of Nate Silver’s ass

“I think Nate Silver deserves a ‘tell me how my ass tastes’ moment, right?” — HuffPost‘s Jason Linkins.

Journos react to FNC Karl Rove’s TV breakdown

• “Karl Rove looks like a kid who just learned there’s no Santa Claus.” — TPM‘s Sahil Kapur.

• “Fox is gone full bananaspants.” — The Guardian‘s Ana Marie Cox.

• “Barone explaining to Rove why Obama gonna win OH like watching someone explain to little kid that his dog died.” — Bloomberg‘s Joshua Green, referencing The Washington Examiner‘s Michael Barone.

•  ”Email from big GOP donor: ‘Karl looks like a fool.’” — Politico‘s Ken Vogel.

• “Bret Baier is now trying to figure out how to balance Karl Rove’s petulance and the FNC ‘decision desk.’ Train wreck.” — ClearChannel’s Colby Hall.

• “Rove has basically bullied the Fox hosts into backing off from their call of the election. Amazing TV.” — The New Yorker‘s Ryan Lizza.

• “Fox thinks it’s up to them who wins. It’s not up to them. It’s over guys. (But please keep this up, this is amazing TV.” — HuffPost‘s Ryan Grim.

And Greta tries to inject a dollop of sanity…

“Fox News says President Obama re-elected.” — FNC anchor Greta Van Susteren at 11:34 p.m.

Speaking of delusional…“I’m neither naive nor optimistic. Just saying I refuse to give up. R some of u telling me ur going to throw in the towel? I don’t think so.” — David Limbaugh, author and brother to conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, after Obama won Ohio.

Depression is…

“Gay marriage, pot, an elated media, and Obama… Yeah, I’ve had better nights.” — Breitbart.com editor John Nolte.

Plouffe Daddy!

“Congrats on a ground game well-played, Plouffe Daddy.” — Freelance video journo for Wonkette and other outlets Liz Glover, referencing Obama campaign advisor David Plouffe.

Uh oh…where’s Romney? 12:11 a.m. 

“Danger for Romney is that if he delays concession too long he’ll look like a sore loser.12:11 still no concession.” — The Daily Mail‘s Toby Harnden, nearly one hour after NBC called the race for Obama.

Outside the White House: 12:33 a.m.

“People are climbing the trees outside of the White House. Total mayhem.” — BuzzFeed’s Rebecca Berg.

Find some inspiration with ex-Love Connection host Chuck Woolery and take notice of a few R’s who handled the loss with maturity…. Read more

Quotes of the Day: Hurricane-Cyclone Sandy Edition

“DC, take it from Coco Pebbles Chanel: it never hurts to be prepared.” — The Hill’s Howlma Kurtz, a.k.a. Judy Kurtz with accompanying picture.

Mixed feelings: “TWIITTER, I HATE YOU…. OK, I LOVE YOU” — HuffPost‘s Sam Stein. NYT‘s Jonathan Weisman was less confused: “TV seems dull compared to Twitter. Reading my feed I eagerly turned on cable and … Meh.” And Assoc. Editor of The Atlantic Brian Fung slammed the medium: “Glad to know that even in the midst of a hurricane, the Internet is still capable of kicking up monstrously dumb debates. Whew.”

Dork in the Storm

“My wife just remembered we had a bunch of small airline-style bottles of booze squirreled away. #yesplease.” — MSNBC host Chris Hayes.

Morally outraged.

“Protip: Tweets that make political jokes about storm that’s killed at least five people are maybe not worth sending.” — Politico‘s Maggie Haberman.

“Twitter is great and all but it’s proving tonight why journalism with real reporting and sourcing is essential.” — The Hill‘s White House Correspondent and resident Michelle Obama Fan Club Prez Amie Parnes.

“My wife gave birth to our three children at NYU. Horrifying to think of what’s going on there now. Horrifying.” — Conservative writer and professional Twitter fighter John Podhoretz, affectionately known as PodWhore.

“Has the storm past DC and we are through the worst of it? Swear I can’t tell from the coverage.” — CNN Democratic Analyst Hilary Rosen.

“Sandy has taken down Buzzfeed AND Huffington Post! The horror!” — The Times of London‘s Matt Spence. Reacting to the news, Breitbart.com‘s John Nolte remarked sarcastically, “That’s a shame.”

Powerless.

“Lights out here in McLean, Virginia” — The Daily Mail’s Toby Harnden, who will join the UK Sunday Times in January. He posted the accompanying photo.

“NoVa storm update: Power out. Water in basement. Reading Cat in the Hat to 3-year-old by flashlight.” — The Atlantic‘s Molly Ball.

“Feeling stir crazy so went to neighborhood Izakaya place. Returned home to find cable + Internet down.” — The Atlantic‘s Garance Franke-Ruta.

“First electricity flicker. 4:32 p.m.” — HotAir‘s Mary Katharine Ham.

“Afraid for your power? Both the Gtown and West End Ritzs are offering $229 ‘Sandy’ rates for locals. Beats a night in the cold dark!” — Washingtonian Editor Garrett Graff, who likes to appreciate the finer things in life such as Scotch and beautiful hotels.

“And my power just went out here in North Bethesda Maryland. It was a good run folks.” — The Daily Caller‘s Matthew Boyle.

Journo upset about stew and other random complainers

“Sandy is whistling here in my neighborhood. Not as loud as a train coming through the alley or dump truck moving down the street. But loud!” — Democratic Strategist Donna Brazile.

“Afraid the storm-related low pressure is causing my stew to tenderize freakishly slowly.” — Slate economics reporter Matt Yglesias.

“Suddenly, insisting on having a top floor apartment seems like a bad idea. Sounds like debris is hitting my roof!” — The Daily Caller‘s Publicist Nicole Roeberg.

Storm Chasers

“The wind outside my window has very quickly gone from interesting to extremely troubling.” — MetroWeekly‘s Randy Shulman.

“Flying debris now showing like a fast-motion movie through my back window.” — WaPo‘s Erik Wemple.

Comic relief

“El Chucko de Schumer esta hoggingo el microphoño! Que learno to shareo!” — Miguel Bloombito, expressing the media whore tendencies of Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).  If you’re not following him, you must: @ElBloombito.

“Anderson Cooper is doing a phoner on CNN so I have no idea how tight his shirt is. Therefore I have no idea how bad things are.” — NBC News’ Shawna Thomas, who later claimed to borrow a variation of a joke from SNL’s Seth Meyers.

“Sexual CNN Headlines.” — NYT comm asst. Jordan Cohen with accompanying picture.

“Oh thank God, David Corn is about to give us his perspective on Sandy on Hardball. Storm coverage is complete now.” — TownHall‘s Derek Hunter.

“Watching CNN coverage of Sandy giving me PTSD. Just put on my CNN windbreaker and started interviewing neighbors w/a plastic microphone.” — former CNN anchor Miles O’Brien.

See which blogger feared the storm might make her pregnant and what advice could MSNBC Contributor Meghan McCain possibly have?

Read more

The Daily Mail‘s Toby Harnden is making a phat career move. In January, Harnden left the Daily Telegraph after 17 years and went to work for the Daily Mail. Just 10 months in, he’s leaving for a job at The Sunday Times. Harnden has been in Washington since 1999 with a three-year break beginning in 2003 when he was based in the Middle East and London.

“It has been great fun and very exhilarating to be part of MailOnline – the world’s most popular newspaper website,” he told FishbowlDC by email. “While competing with the celebrity bikini shots on the right-hand side of the page has been a challenge at times, I’ve given it my best shot. I’m really looking forward to joining The Sunday Times, which has long been renowned for the quality of its foreign coverage and its in-depth reporting. It’s a great honour to join what is undoubtedly a group of the best foreign correspondents in the business.”

Harnden, who received the 2012 Orwell Prize for his book, Dead Men Risen, is often linked to on Drudge. This will come to a screeching halt as The Sunday Times is behind a pay wall.

Speculation has it that… Read more

Daily Mail‘s U.S. Executive Editor Toby Harnden was turned down by the Obama campaign Tuesday to attend an event with former President Bill Clinton in Miami. Clinton spoke to students at Florida International University. The campaign wrote the reporter to say, “Unfortunately, due to space limitations, we are unable to accommodate your request.”

Harnden was surprised to say the least. We asked if he thought it was personal. “I’ve no idea,” he told FishbowlDC. “They said in the original email that there were space constraints and that not everybody could be accommodated, but they often say that and this has never happened to me before. I’m a lone reporter who takes up about two square feet of ground and I work for the world’s most popular newspaper website so it’s a bit mystifying.”

Harnden did consider making a last minute trip to the Sunshine State. “Was going to fly down for event, but opted not to,” he said. “Response came so late though that I could well have been down there. Thankfully, I was waiting to be sure I had credentials before flying. Of course, there’s a decent chance I could have wheedled my way in at the event itself.”

Quotes of the Day

TAKING A BREATHER: “Things I haven’t done for days: watched cable, brushed hair, missed either.” — Elite media specialist Tracy Sefl.

And now, a plug for not suspending harsh campaigning on 9-11: “Isn’t it giving into the terrorists to suspend nasty, unfair, distorted negative campaign attacks for 9/11 anniversary?” — Daily Mail‘s Toby Harnden.

Journo wants obscene amount of truffle oil: “What would be the health effects of putting truffle oil on literally everything, because I am considering it.” — The Hill‘s Alexandra Jaffe.

Thanks but no thanks

“I’m pleased to receive all these press releases from politicians expressing their opposition to the 9/11 attacks but I’m not sure its needed.” — Politico‘s Ben White.

Quote Taken Out of Context

“I think @frates just barfed.” — HuffPost Senior Congressional Reporter Michael McAuliff in reference to NJ‘s Chris Frates.

Ari has spoken.

“I just got a spamish tweet asking, ‘Want 2 be HEARD this election?’ Um, if I’m not being heard @NPR has a problem.” — NPR White House Correspondent Ari Shapiro.

Ex-game show host declares true feelings

“OK, here I go, I love the tea party . Endorse everything they stand for. There I said it. I am a Tea Party guy.” — Chuck Woolery, former host of Love Connection, who attended CPAC earlier in the year.

Uh oh!

“That moment when u realize uv got a typo in a release u just blasted over 600 top dc media #goodtimes #DOW!” — Publicist Dannia Hakki.

CNBC host’s dad won’t be able to vote

“My dad, a vet, won’t be allowed to vote in Pa. because he does not drive, he is elderly, and can’t prove his citizenship.” — CNBC’s Jim Cramer.

If you’re in need of a good cry this afternoon (and even if you’re not) you’ll want to read Mail Online’s stories of a journalist’s life with his dog, a Belfast stray the reporter acquired in 1998. Toby Harnden‘s farewell to his dog, Finn, is nothing short of touching and heartbreaking.

As a foreign correspondent, Harnden traveled with him all over the world — Ireland, London, Jerusalem and ultimately Washington.

Sure, journalists are supposed to be tough creatures by nature. But Toby shows how to open up without being annoyingly sappy but just sappy enough to convey how he felt every step of the way. The pooch died in his arms. He buried Finn by his home overlooking a creek.

Asked how he is doing, Harnden replied, “Yeah, I’m OK. Can’t believe the little guy’s gone though. Very lonely in my office now. And going through pics etc just brings back all the fantastic times and what an amazing dog he was even though he obviously slowed down a lot in recent years. I did an interview with a radio station in Spain and both I and the interviewer were choking up!”

A warning to the thickest of skins among you: Don’t read the stories without a box of tissues close by.

An excerpt:

Although he still enjoys his walks – two a day – he is so slow and deaf and blind that I often have to retrace my steps to find him and point him back in the right direction. He is given four pills twice a day and will occasionally yelp from the pain in his limbs. Massaging them seems to soothe him. His teeth, for many years almost perfect, are now rotten and he can’t eat biscuits as he used to. His breath smells like a sewer.

See the story. And this one.