The Hill

McCourt, who will not be a spokesperson, has been tasked with expanding the publication’s online presence using social media. She will use social media outreach to build their followers and deliver their news in as many ways as possible.

McCourt began her new job Tuesday. And watch out reporters — she’s not afraid to tweet about you. So far, she’s already using social media to open up about her daily workplace existence. We like it — keep going!

• “Just caught a co-worker checking me out on LinkedIn. I guess it’s easier to learn about me online than face-to-face. #OfficeDrama”
• “She just came and introduced herself to me. She was being a good reporter and getting all her facts first!”
• A follower remarked, “I am convinced getting noticed won’t be an issue for you.” She replied, “Sometimes, but now I’m the shy new girl in my own empty office waiting for reporters to notice me!”

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The Hill

In an internal memo this morning, Publisher Francine McMahon sent this note to staff telling them to be sure to welcome Nicole Rodgers, the new Manager of Events and External Relations.

See below:

ALL ARE WELCOME!!!!
1. Tomorrow June 16th The Hill and No American Debt are sponsoring a Policy Briefing Breakfast featuring Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI), House Budget Committee and former Governor George Pataki (R-NY) for a discussion on deficit reduction and smart tax reform.
Location: Budget Committee Hearing Room, Room 210 Cannon, 8:30 AM
2. The Hill and American Public Transportation Association are hosting a Transportation Policy Congressional Staff Happy Hour!!!!!!!!!!!  Top of The Hill, June 23 5pm-7pm
NOTE: We have expanded our EVENTS BUSINESS. Look for MANY MORE Events to come.  I will keep you posted!!! Please welcome Nicole Rodgers our new Manager of Events and External Relations.

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Kurtz snubs snarky journos

“When I look at journalists today some younger journalists using snark or attitude in order to kind of make a name for themsleves, I’m not saying that should be illegal, but in a way David Broder was one of the last of a breed. He wasn’t cynical.” — The Daily Beast‘s Washington Bureau Chief and CNN’s Howard Kurtz discussing the late WaPo‘s David Broder on “Reliable Sources” on Sunday. Oh those snarky journalists — gasp! — don’t let them get you down Howie!

Keller sucks joy out of column

“Nothing sucks the joy out of a column like explaining it.” — NYT Executive Editor Bill Keller in the first line of a Sunday post on the brand new NYT Magazine blog, The 6th Floor. He’s referring to his aggregation attack against Huffpost Editor-in-Chief Arianna Huffington. Since we’re on the subject of Arianna, he writes, “Also, for the record, I like Arianna Huffington. Sorry to disappoint those folks yearning for a Wrestlemania smackdown, but I think she’s a shrewd entrepreneur and a charming woman.” But a sentence later, he insults her, saying, “We won’t dwell on the fact that her new owners at AOL laid off 200 journalists to help pay for the acquisition of The Huffington Post. So, really, I like Arianna.”

Journo wants death to inspire checkups

“Very sad to hear about the passing of Rick Martin may his death inspire more 50+ men to get heart checkups.” — NBC Capitol Hill Correspondent Luke Russert in a weekend tweet regarding a former Buffalo Sabres hockey player. Want to know more on who Martin was? Read here.

Is Deepak reading Washington minds?

“#EnlightenedLiving Seriousness is a mask for self importance” — Deepak Chopra in a Sunday tweet. Could he have been thinking Washington D.C.?

Shhh…ex-publicist wants a quiet meal

“Owner at Belga yelling up a storm at someone “sneaking in.” Interesting. I really just wanted a meal in peace.” — Former Publicist for The Hill Tricia Barba in a Sunday tweet.

James O’Keefe on the media

“The media isn’t doing the job and if you’re not going to take us seriously we’re not going to take you seriously,” James O’Keefe on Sunday CNN’s “Reliable Sources” program. He calls himself a “citizen journalist,” though he’s otherwise known as a conservative “activist/provacateur.” …”I think the mainstream media is starting to have a little more respect for us.”

Journo disses Bret Easton Ellis

“Newsweek has Bret Easton Ellis on Charlie Sheen. Because nothing says “fresh cultural perspective” like Bret Easton Ellis.” — Commentary Magazine‘s John Podhoretz in a weekend tweet (because nothing says fresh cultural perspective like John Podhoretz). Read Ellis’ piece here. The story appeared on The Daily Beast and in Newsweek.

In Case You Missed It…

“What’s a party without drag queens? Four of them. Their attendance was inexplicable. Photographers loved them so much that Ommanney eventually took a microphone and said, “Well, excuse me, it’s my party…Love you drag queens, but it’s my party.” That sassy, sassy Brit.” — Our intern Alec Jacobs covered the Real Housewives of D.C. party this weekend. Read here if you missed the Sunday post.

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Snow, snow and more snow

By our favorite Twit photographer, CNN Senior White House Correspondent Ed Henry

Producer sleeps at office

“@davidgregory I am camping at the office. Attempted Chain Bridge – not moving. Your office couch bigger than mine.” — NBC MTP Executive Producer Betsy Fischer in a Wednesday night tweet.

Producer has unpleasant sleepover

“Sooo not making it home tonight…anyone else having a sleepover at someone else’s place like me? A place with no power… Argh!” — TBD Segment Producer Sara Kenigsberg in a Wednesday night tweet.

Reporter watches sky light up

“Transformer in Kensington blew up ten minutes ago sky lit up blue-green — as bright as noon for 20 seconds. Lights now kaput.” — Politico‘s White House reporter Glenn Thrush in a Wednesday night tweet.

Windows, fog, sh-t

“Windows on newly freed metro bus are fogged to shit.” — The Daily Caller‘s “Daily Baller” Mike Riggs in a Wednesday night tweet.

Scribe rejoices in Uggs victory

“Feeling really great about the decision to wear Uggs to work today #lonevictory” — Politico‘s Meredith Shiner in a Wednesday tweet.

Commutes from hell

“Commute home now hits 5 hour mark. Have gone 3 miles. Stuck on I-66 at Rosslyn. Send more Chuck Berry!” — C-SPAN Communications Director Howard Mortman in a Wednesday night tweet. (Happy Birthday Howard!)

“Snow update. Two hours to drive from Cap Hill 1st/Constitution to 20th/Constitution. Will I ever get home?” — NBC’s Kelly O’Donnell in a Wednesday night tweet.

“Ok, car stuck at bureau. Trying metro. Not looking forward to the half-mile walk but at least I’ve been running for the past 2 mos.” — NBC’s Domenico Montanaro in a Wednesday night tweet.

“Almost killed by cars on 17th and k” — The Hill‘s Publicist Tricia Barba in a Wednesday tweet.

“Braving thundersnow, heading to Metro. If I don’t make it… It’s been a blast, Twitter.” — WCP‘s Managing Editor Mike Madden in a Wednesday tweet.

French-braid weirdness

“Time is bending, curving, french-braiding itself on the Metro tonight. Maybe just stay where you are, tonight! #servicey #thundersnow” — HuffPost‘s Jason Linkins in a bizarre turn of phrase in a Wednesday night tweet. (Really, Jason, time is french-braiding?)

Journos get a little help from their Twitter friends

“Tweeting while driving is bad. But can I tweet while not moving on Roosevelt bridge?” — NBC’s Chuck Todd in a Wednesday night tweet. To which NJ’s Editor-in-Chief Ron Fournier chimed in with a warning, “@chucktodd when you get across, don’t take spout run thru ‘hood. Bad wreck. Stay on 29.”

ABC’s Tapper in a moment of mayor-envy

“@CoryBooker how do we draft you to be Mayor of DC? How about just during snowstorms? Can you call Mayor Gray and offer some tips?” — ABC News’s Jake Tapper in a Wednesday night tweet.

Colonic anyone?

“Bizarre: LivingSocial will give me a free colonic if I get 3 friends to buy 1. Who has friends like this?” — WaPo Book World Editor Ron Charles in a Thursday morning tweet.

A congressman’s dirty, smelly times

“We dug out in light of day – crashed at a Rep. Bachmann’s staffer’s house- like Willie Nelson put on my cleanest dirty shirt – Dulles bound” — Rep. Billy Long (R-Mo.) in a Thursday morning tweet.

Making Savannah’s Mom’s Day

“Thank you @mikeallen for making my mom’s day #nancy’sbday” — MSNBC’s “Daily Rundown” Co-host Savannah Guthrie in a Thursday morning Tweet. Politico‘s Mike Allen gave Nancy Guthrie the high honor of mentioning  Savannah’s mother’s birthday in this morning’s Playbook (h/t Savannah Guthrie).

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NBC’s Luke Russert and CNN’s Brianna Keilar won “Best Duet” for Livin’ on a Prayer

(All photos taken by FishbowlDC’s Matt Dornic.)

Milling about in a darkened upstairs barroom last night at the Rock & Roll Hotel, the mood amongst journalists was a low buzz of excitement. Some of Washington D.C. ‘s nerviest participants in the charity competition were there having pre-Karaoke drinks. They showed not even a trace of anxiety.

One such performer was CBS “Face the Nation” host Bob Schieffer, all decked in cowboy attire and accompanied by a CBS reporter and correspondent, Kaylee Hartung. Schieffer was moments away from performing with his band, Honky Tonk Confidential. Asked if he was nervous, he laughed and replied, “I’m so bad I’m so past that. Anyone with as little talent as me is beyond being embarrassed.”

Peter Parisi, a TWT copy editor, was particularly chipper in his red gingham button-down and blue jeans. He told me he had performed Karaoke dozens of times and was more than ready for his performance. “Sonny and Cher. I Got You Babe,” he said, when asked what he’d form. “Cher had a previous engagement so I’m going to have to do this alone.”

Journalists soon moved downstairs to the stage area. In the crowd, but not performing was NJ “The Hotline’s” Executive Editor Reid Wilson, Politico‘s Natasha Lennard, The Hill‘s Tricia Barba , Susan Crabtree and Christina Wilkie, QGA and FishbowlDC’s Matt Dornic, Chicago Sun Times D.C. Bureau Chief and Politics Daily Flotus columnist Lynn Sweet, Washington Examiner’s Julie Mason, NJ‘s Matt Cooper and Major Garrett, CBS News’s Christine Delargy and CNN’s Abby Livingston. Upcoming performers included NBC’s Luke Russert (who knew he could sing?), Politico’s Shira Toeplitz, Slate‘s Dave Weigel (who knew he could, er, dance?), CNN’s Brianna Keilar, HuffPost contributor Stephanie Green (lovely voice), Washington Life‘s Michael Clements (borrowed Green’s long fur tiger print coat for the performance; one journo said he wears coats like that only to funerals) and TPM (but soon-to-be CQ-Roll Call‘s) Christina Bellantoni.

CNN Senior White House correspondent and “Dynamite” performer Ed Henry was spotted by the bar horsing around with his backup singer children, Patrick and Mila, prepping them for the big event. He admitted to some pre-performance jitters. “Covering the White House is easy compared to this,” he confided. “This is sink or swim.” But Henry persevered and won “Best in Show.” (See a complete list of performances, more photographs and award winners after the jump.)

Nerves or not, a decent-sized roster of journos soon took to the stage.

Amongst White House scribes, the competition grew tense over Twitter with lots of smack talk. One of those talkers was The Hill‘s White House correspondent Sam Youngman. Once on stage, the lights beamed on him and he looked utterly relieved.  “This is awesome, I can’t see any of you,” he told the crowd. He had planned to sing three short verses of “Lawyers, Guns and Money,” by Warren Zevon, but during the performance appeared surprised when the song seemed to stretch on so long. Still, he held his own, sang in tune and thankfully, unlike some of the other performers, didn’t try to hit any high notes.

Jaws dropped when…

continued…

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Today is ex-Washington Examiner gossip scribe Tara Palmeri‘s birthday. She recently fled to Manhattan, where she’s a reporter for NYP‘s Page Six. But we know she still misses the Washington scene. We wish her a very happy birthday and hope that no publicist feels the need to snap at her today. Happy Birthday to Tara from friends in the Fishbowl. We hear she’s celebrating at Underbar, a lounge under the W, and a new lounge called Travertine.

In other birthday news… We also offer birthday wishes to Rep. Aaron Schock’s (R-Ill.) flack Dave Natonski, whose birthday is today, and soon-to-be ex-reporter for The Hill Jared Allen. His birthday is Saturday.

> Update: We’ve just learned that today is also The Hill‘s publicist Tricia Barba‘s birthday. All the best to her!

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The Hill‘s popular summer feature, the “50 Most Beautiful People of Capitol Hill” was a question/answer on Jeopardy! last night.

Round 1 for $600.
Category: GREAT “B”-GINNINGS

Alex Trebek: “The publication The Hill also lists the 50 most this: No. 1 for 2009 was hunky New Mexico representative Martin Heinrich $600.”

Tricia Barba, The Hill‘s spokeswoman, lamented, “No, no one got the answer … but there’s always next year.”

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“I’m really pleased to be able to tell you that we’ve hired an in-house publicist; Tricia Barba is due to join The Hill in the middle of June and will work full-time to promote our stories to TV, radio and the blogosphere. Tricia is currently a producer and booker at CSPAN, and before that worked in the communications shop of Sen. Amy Klobuchar, from whom she comes highly recommended.”

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ABC News veteran Sam Donaldson has interviewed every president since Jimmy Carter. So who’s the smartest person he knows? George Stephanopoulos.

Donaldson was on hand this Sunday for the Newseum’s “Inside Media” discussion to answer this and more. He took questions from the audience and had this to share regarding presidential news conferences, “A press conference is a business transaction, not a social occasion. The president comes to use it, and reporters are there for business to get information.”

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