We know that House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) are pit-bull partisans. We don’t know if they can be funny.

We’ll find out Wednesday. That’s when they face off as keynote speakers at the Washington Press Club Foundation’s 61st annual dinner.

“The congressman has a very good sense of humor,’’ said Dan Allen, DeLay’s new communications chief, who moved to DeLay’s staff a few weeks ago from the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Humor deftly wielded can be a powerful political weapon. DeLay and Durbin have been out scavenging comedic bullets for their shticks as they make their national comedy debuts. The master of ceremonies for the black-tie congressional dinner (always the first in the D.C. media dinner cycle) is Linda Douglass, the chief congressional correspondent for ABC News.

Allen said DeLay’s staff is writing his lines in-House — so to speak — and may have some visual gimmicks. It’s still a work in progress. There is no need for a professional gag writer because “there are many people on staff who think they are very funny,’’ said Allen.

A rule of political comedy is that self-deprecating humor should be used in big doses in these kinds of speeches.

Durbin, who also will take aim at the media and perhaps his very famous Illinois colleagues (could that be The Rock Star, The Coach and The Rahmster?), has fewer obvious foibles than DeLay, but I’m sure he will find some by Wednesday.

Durbin’s shop has been working on his routine and touched base with a professional comedy writer, but “Senator Durbin is writing much of this himself,’’ said Joe Shoemaker, the communications chief for the Dems’ whip office. “Today, he just finished a few riffs.’’ Shoemaker and speechwriter Molly Rowley, who signed on with Durbin after toiling for former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), sent the speech for vetting to Air America’s Al Franken, the author and comic.

Said Allen, “I think everyone will laugh.’’
We’ll see.

Skolfield’s rules: While Allen is joining the DeLay operation, Melissa Skolfield, communications counsel for House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), will be departing to return to consulting in the private sector.

Working the press as a congressional leader is an art in itself. I asked Skolfield how it works, since I only see it on the receiving end.

• First, “reflect their style”: “Leader Pelosi is the least egotistical political figure I’ve ever met. She is genuinely interested in having other members of the caucus serve as spokesmen on our key issues.’’ Showcase other members.

• Second, “focus on internal communications first”: “Leader Pelosi picked up a great maxim from a friend in the technology industry — ‘sell the salesmen.’”

• Third, “communicate broadly”: “It’s tempting to judge your success by how you’re received inside the Beltway, but the true test is local TV, radio, regional media and specialty media.’’

• Fourth, “balance the positive and the negative”: “Political reporters love to write stories about conflict, so an effective critique of the other side is essential. But leaders also need to communicate a positive vision for the country.’’

• Fifth, “engage your allies”: “Whether it’s K Street or seniors groups or the veterans community, know your allies and use them. You need a chorus of voices to be heard.”

Sweet is the Washington bureau chief for the Chicago Sun-Times. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it