Reality candidate gets a little too real at Poste

Raj Bhakta was spotted out on Friday night at D.C.’s Poste bar in the Hotel Monaco with several friends and indeed the former “Apprentice” star looked as though he was feeling no pain. A House Democratic aide witnessed the candidate, who is challenging Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.) this fall, at the bar at midnight.

Bhakta was apparently feeling patriotic, this being Washington and all. The aide saw the candidate standing on a chair and singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic (at least he wasn’t whistling Dixie). He also heard Bhakta refer to his opponent as “that liberal bitch.”

He told a second witness, “I don’t give a shit about the campaign.” 

Daniel McElhatton, Schwartz’s chief of staff, did not take kindly to his boss being referred to as a female dog: “It’s an insulting and disgusting comment to women and men everywhere. With his two prior incidents of being arrested for drunk driving and now this, it’s clear that he should consider getting some professional help. He’s simply not fit to be a member of Congress.”

Bhakta spokesman Matt Archbold did not confirm or deny the incident: “You’ve got to look at the source too,” he said, referring to the Democratic aide.

In April Bhakta admitted to two DUIs — one outside Boston in 1997, the other in Vail, Colo., in 2004. “I am deeply sorry and ashamed for my behavior,” he said at a press conference after reports of his 1997 surfaced on the Smoking Gun website. “Everyone makes mistakes. These were big mistakes. It won’t happen again, and I ask for understanding and forgiveness.”

After the 1997 incident, a judge ordered Bhakta to attend an alcohol education program and pay a $30 fine. Earlier this year, Bhakta said he still drinks occasionally, but that he doesn’t have a problem.

Since the bosses are away and it’s time for Hill aides to goof off, ITK wants to devote some ink to what aides are doing with all this free time. Anonymity has been granted, so aides can talk and not get fired.

For many staffers, this means long lunches and rounds of afternoon golf. For one Democratic female aide, it’s the perfect chance to get her legs waxed. She and other office aides take turns coming in late and leaving early.

For a Democratic male staffer, August recess means time to care for himself and his house: “For me, it’s trying out new restaurants and getting my annual doctor’s appointments set up,” he wrote in an e-mail. “I’ve been putting off having my A/C thoroughly checked out until the August break, and I finally broke down and bought a new washing machine, because I knew I could … meet the delivery guys.”

Other aides have also been enjoying the recess. Excursions include European vacations, trying out the Senate cafeteria and stepping up workout routines with spin classes and marathons. Others get away right at their desks by watching movies such as “Anchorman” on laptops. Other time-wasting activities: watching  UTube, Colbert Report “Better Know a District” videos and Strongbad, a comedic cartoon found on  www.homestar.com.

Please send ITK your favorite ways to waste time but still “work” during the August recess. The most creative (and believable) replies will be printed. All entrants are granted anonymity.

Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) and his dog, Trouble, were a sight to see last week.

Making their way into the Capitol at the time of the Tuesday lunches, Byrd’s entourage consisted of the senator, a female aide and his 5-year-old dog, Trouble.

Byrd, dressed in a Sunday blazer, trousers and straw hat, soon found that bringing his dog along made the voyage much longer than if he were alone.

“Come on Baby,” he cooed to the dog just outside the doors of the Capitol. “He won’t hurt you,” Byrd told me. (ITK did not fear being mowed over by the tiny fluffy beige and white Shih Tzu, despite her foreboding name.)

Once inside the Capitol, Baby (a.k.a. Trouble) planted herself on the cool marble floor and refused to move – at least temporarily. Balancing his black canes in his left hand, Byrd leaned down to rustle her. Just then some tourists approached to chat with the famous senator.

“Oh, she won’t hurt you,” Byrd assured them.

Byrd’s entourage moved again, this time into another first floor corridor. Again, tourists approached. And again, Trouble, as if on cue, planted herself in the middle of the floor and refused to budge.

Perhaps the dog’s given name holds true after all?

Byrd spokeswoman Tom Gavin explained that Byrd’s late wife Erma named the pooch Trouble, but that Byrd calls her Baby. He said the dog is a frequent visitor to the office. She shows up every few days and sits in on staff meetings. Gavin swore Baby is not Trouble. “She’s not,” he said. “She’s a sweet dog who greets everyone with a wagging tail. She’s also very prone to taking naps during long staff meetings.” 

If you don’t recall who Andrea LeBlanc is, she’s the House Government Reform spokeswoman who has a knack for writing oddly personal group e-mails to reporters. Sadly, LeBlanc, who has worked for the committee for roughly six months, won’t be with us anymore because she’s departing for the private sector, but not before dispatching this final e-mail to the media masses: 

“I hope this email finds you well.  Okay, more than well!” she wrote. “Thank you all for your kind words. As many of you know, I am soon moving to the private sector developing new government business for a fantastic company centered in technology/ database management, IT consulting, systems integration, and business process management.

“Will I individually miss everyone copied on this email? ABSOLUTELY! I am thankful to have worked with you!  You are all so talented in your specific niche!

“I do hope you will allow me to stay in touch. It is not hard to miss that you are all the ‘go to’ professionals in your field, and I might have a question one day. And perhaps...if you consider it...you may utilize my contact info below. ;-)”

LeBlanc did not return calls seeking an ITK exit interview.

Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas) is a relatively new member of the House Scooter Caucus, an unofficial group comprised of such members as Reps. Charlie Norwood (R-Ga.) and John Dingell (D-Mich.), who at one point rode one briefly while recovering from a broken ankle.

Johnson’s dark red scooter is festooned with both Texas and American flags while Norwood’s vehicle has racing flames. While Norwood parks his outside the Speaker’s Lobby, Johnson parks his at the entrance of the Republican Cloakroom by the Rayburn elevators.

Last week Johnson’s office announced that the congressman is recovering from hip-replacement surgery in Plano, Texas.  “Johnson is using the down-time of the congressional recess to take medical leave on Aug. 3 until after Labor Day for a hip-replacement surgery.  There is a busy schedule in September and he doesn’t want to miss votes,” the release stated.

Johnson is a 29-year Air Force veteran who spent seven years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. During that time, he spent two years in leg irons and 72 straight days in leg stocks. “While I try not to complain about it, my right leg has been causing me a lot of pain lately,” he said through spokeswoman McCall Cameron Avery.  “I didn’t like it and [wife] Shirley got sick of me complaining, so I went to the doctor.   My doctor recommended that I have a hip-replacement surgery.

“While I may never be pain free, I know that this surgery will be for the best.  I will use the next several weeks to recover and undergo physical therapy.  My doctor tells me that I’ll be able to return to work in September. Shirley and I would like to ask all of our friends to pray for a swift recovery. Thank you for your understanding and prayers.”

Johnson has had his scooter for the last two weeks. “Just like his F-86, he named it Shirley’s Texas Tornado and those words were temporarily added to the left side,” said Cameron Avery.  

Cantor staffer weds longtime girlfriend

Congratulations are in order to Rob Collins and his bride Susan Stiltz, who wed this past weekend in Orange, Va., at the Mayhurst Inn, an 1859 plantation bed and breakfast. Collins is chief of staff to Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and Stiltz is a representative for Eli Lilly Co.

Collins and his new wife brought along a sizable Capitol Hill GOP contingency that included Chief Deputy Whip Cantor and his wife, Diana, House Appropriations Committee Spokesman John Scofield, the best man, as well as House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s (R-Ill.) spokesman Ron Bonjean, House Majority Leader John Boehner’s (R-Ohio) flack Kevin Madden, Sen. John Cornyn’s (R-Texas) spokesman Brian Walsh, Senate Republican Maryland hopeful Michael Steele’s flack Doug Heye, Sen. John Thune’s (R-S.D.) spokesman Kyle Downey and Time magazine reporter Mike Allen.

Just before the first dance, Stiltz sang “Bless the Broken Road,” a Rascal Flatts song, to her husband. “It was really touching,” said an attendee.

The Inn was also quite remarkable. In the day, General “Stonewall” Jackson observed the troops from a rooftop tower. Today, it has an historic feel with 21st century comforts — stately guest rooms with private baths, double whirlpool tubs, original Italian marble fireplaces and luxury linens.