Rep. Green’s God pin

Some politicians wear their religion on their sleeve, others on their lapel. Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) has been spotted repeatedly with a large gold oval pin on his blazer bearing the phrase, “God is Good All the Time.”

Asked why he wears the pin, he replied, “Because I believe it.” Yet, he says, there are times when he removes it. In the shower, for instance.

All in all, the congressman said he doesn’t think about the deeper meaning of wearing such a pin around: “I never gave it much thought.”

Former Rep. Katherine Harris (R-Fla.) is receiving some attractive job offers these days, including “tons and tons of offers from lobbying firms,” according to a source close to the former congresswoman.

The most interesting position would see Harris becoming a religious radio talk show host on a conservative Christian station.

Multiple sources close to Harris verify that the former congresswoman is indeed religious and has been approached about a radio gig. Harris told one ITK source that after many of her aides left her Senate campaign, she ended up with her spiritual adviser and other religious folk. “She was a full-on soldier of Christ by the end of it,” the source said. “She told at least one person that God would let her know if she should get out of the race.”

Hmmm … apparently God didn’t let her know soon enough

It’s going to be fascinating to watch how the relationship between Idaho Republican Reps. Mike Simpson and Bill Sali blossoms — or doesn’t — this year considering that the pair have never been friends.

A bit of history: When Simpson was Speaker of the Idaho House, he once threatened to throw Sali out a window after the latter opposed one of his amendments. And when Sali made his initial run for Congress, Simpson at first didn’t support him.

Bosom buddies they are not. But in the 110th Congress, Simpson and Sali, who was elected freshman class president, are determined to get along.

Even Simpson’s staff has expressed concern about their rapport. “My staff asked me, ‘How do we handle this?’ I said we handle him just like any other legislature. We try to make him as successful as we can. When we disagree, that’s OK.”

Simpson said he is all for trying to get along with Sali despite their turbulent past. “You have to give everybody a chance to do their job,” he said during a phone conversation with ITK over the recess. “I never said I couldn’t stand him. I said I wanted to throw him out the window. In heated legislative sessions things are said.”

Despite a desire to get along, Simpson said he doubted he and Sali would hang out socially. “We just never have,” he said. “Different personalities, different interests. He’s very interested in music. He’s a drummer, and my musical talent extends to being able to turn on my iPod.”

Still, Simpson is determined to play nice. “We’re going to work together fine. We’re both elected to do a job and we’ll do our job.”

Simpson said he didn’t expect Sali to seek the position of freshman class president. “I’m surprised he wanted it,” he said. “In the state legislature Bill never sought any leadership positions. He went about quietly doing his job. Sometimes not so quietly.”

Sali was unable to return calls to ITK by press time.

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