Simpson won'te back Dem or Republican in race
Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) doesn’t hold back when it comes to his feelings about the race for Idaho’s 1st Congressional District seat, now held by Republican Rep. Butch Otter, who is leaving Congress to run for governor.

Bill Sali, a GOP state representative, recently won the nomination for Otter’s seat. Ever since, Simpson has barely been able to contain his dislike for Sali.

“There’s a serious question about whether he can win the race,” said Simpson, who referred to controversial former Rep. Helen Chenoweth (R), when he added, “He makes Helen look like a dream.”

Sali’s Democratic opponent is Larry Grant, a retired attorney in Boise.

So what about the bad blood between Simpson and Sali? When Simpson was Speaker of the Idaho House, he once threatened to throw Sali out a window after Sali opposed one of Simpson’s amendments.

“I won’t say anything bad about him,” Simpson said. “I won’t campaign against him. I won’t support the Democrat, I’ll say that.”

Sali was unable to comment directly on the matter. His spokeswoman, Jesseca Sali, who is his daughter-in-law, said he is vacationing “in a cabin in the middle of nowhere.” She was uncertain whether the cabin was in Idaho or elsewhere.

Finally, McKinney gets good wrap on House floor
Meanwhile, her spokesman takes a leave of absence

In the past several months, Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-Ga.) has been publicly and privately chastised after assaulting a Capitol Police officer with her cell phone when he failed to recognize her as a member of Congress. Since then, every move she makes falls under great scrutiny — whether it’s insulting her press secretary, Coz Carson, on national TV by referring to him as a “fool” or, most recently, being approached by House Parliamentarian John Sullivan and other security personnel on the House floor for wearing a head wrap.

Ever since floor personnel approached her about three weeks ago, McKinney has complied with House floor rules and not worn her head wrap, which, through her spokesman, she has referred to as a “traditional African headdress.”

“It troubles me that she can’t get an even break,” remarked a Capitol employee with daily floor access. “I give her credit for respecting the rule.”

The employee added, “I would hope that she would never test the limit again. It seems like even when she does something right she gets into some sort of trouble.”

McKinney isn’t the only female lawmaker in history who has broken the hat rule. In the late ’70s, a doorman confronted Rep. Bella Abzug (D-N.Y.), a “fairly feisty” congresswoman with a “penchant for head gear,” for wearing a hat. She refused to remove it.

Asked if the congresswoman would continue to comply with the no-hat rule, which started in the 19th century, McKinney aides had no comment on the matter.

In other McKinney news, her spokesman, Carson, has taken a leave of absence. A legislative assistant for the congresswoman said only that it is a personal matter.

At approximately 8 a.m., Piroglu, who in February performed a similar waxing job on Stern show staffer Richard Christy, will once again put herself in a hairy situation in which she will wax the entire male “bikini” area.

Skin Beauty Lounge is located at 404 1/2 8th St. S.E. To schedule a waxing or other spa appointment, call (202) 543-6993.

Rep. Hensarling gets call for jury duty
Lawmakers aren’t immune to public duty — even when it’s boring.

Last week, Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) was called for jury duty. He went to the Dallas County Courthouse at 8:30 a.m., where he was named Juror No. 23. The congressman was one of about 1,500 people who answered the call for jury duty that day.

Brad Dayspring, his spokesman, said his boss was there for about four hours before he was released. “He chatted up some of his jury mates and kept up with his staff through his BlackBerry,” Dayspring said.

Event honorees include Andrew Sullivan, Time magazine columnist and blogger, and Aaron Tone, portrait artist and painter. Both are apparently “devout animal lovers,” according to the invitation.

Members of Congress who are serving on the 2006 Bark Ball Honorary Committee include Sens. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.) and Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) and Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).

In early 2003, Byrd offered a lengthy floor eulogy for Billy Byrd, his Maltese, who had died. His current dog, Trouble, is a Shih Tzu. Hoyer’s adorable dog, Charlotte, a white English springer spaniel, is well-known around Capitol Hill and can often be seen being taken on walks around the Capitol by various aides.

Sadly, the pair will not be able to attend.

The Bark Ball guest list has included local notables from Mary Chapin Carpenter to William Safire, Loretta Swit, Willard Scott, Art Buchwald, Chris Buckley, Arch Campbell, and George Michael. Socks Clinton, Millie Bush, Breezy Quayle and Leader Dole have all served as honorary chairpets.

The black-tie ball will be held at the Renaissance Hotel, 999 9th St. N.W.

“Maggie is the yellow lab I had growing up, and Lola is the black lab I have now,” Katharine Ordway says while ringing up customers as a sizable crowd of young, female Hill staffers carefully eyed the merchandise at a welcome “cocktails and shopping” party Monday night. Vibrant pleated skirts mingled with crocheted dresses on the racks beneath knit handbags, most from Manhattan and Los Angeles designers.

Even more noteworthy is Ordway’s own Maggie and Lola designer label, found on custom women’s and children’s T-shirts, made from vintage fabrics or crocheted.

Shannon O’Keefe, a staffer for Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H), heard about the boutique and liked what she saw. “There are not a lot of unique clothing stores around here. It looked like it would be funky and cool,” O’Keefe said.

You can find the Maggie and Lola Boutique at 1013 E St. S.E., a short walk from the Eastern Market Metro stop, or visit www.maggieandlola.com.

The invitation list is exclusive. Free  tickets are available by online lottery at www.bluesonthehill.org/cbf_tickets.html.

Taj Mahal, the Grammy Award-winning musician and spokesman for Music Maker Relief Foundation, an organization that financially supports musicians in need, will perform at the festival, as will Beverly “Guitar” Watkins, Mudcat and “Cool” John Ferguson.

Also taking the stage are the Second Amendments, the congressional band that has played for Willie Nelson’s Farm Aid and the troops in Iraq. Band members include Reps. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) on guitar and vocals, Jon Porter (R-Nev.) on keyboards, Kenny Hulshof (R-Mo.) on drums, Dave Weldon (R-Fla.) on bass and Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.) on guitar.

“They’re not going to embarrass themselves. They’re talented,” said Ryan Costello, festival founder and director. “The Second Amendments was a natural fit in my eyes.”

Proceeds of the festival go to the Music Maker Relief Foundation, which provides musicians who are living in extreme poverty with shelter, medical care and other assistance.

The Mellon Auditorium is located at 1301 Constitution Ave. N.W. For more information on the event, visit www.bluesonthehill.org.

Late-night party serves as salute to summer
This Saturday begins the first of five “Late Nite” parties at the posh City Tavern Club in Georgetown.

“This should simply be a repeat of last summer’s ridiculousness,” noted event coordinator Jeff Kimbell, who is also a healthcare lobbyist.

The hours of the party: 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Members and guests are welcome. Temporary memberships are available for $10 at the door. Dress is smart-casual; no jeans allowed. The City Tavern Club is located at 3206 M St. N.W.

Office thinks male co-worker is ‘DREAMY’
“I would like to nominate —, a — in the office of Rep. —, to be one of the Top 50 Most Beautiful People of Capitol Hill. The attached photos do not even begin to do him justice.

He is one of the most good-looking human beings you will ever see in real life. And unlike most drop-dead gorgeous guys, he is nice, friendly, thoughtful, and caring. He’s a true joy to work with and to look at. Our boss has even asked —, more than once, why he has not pursued a career in modeling.

If these pictures don’t convince you, please swing by our office to get a look for yourself. HE IS SO DREAMY!

Thanks,

The Ladies of Rep. —’s Office”