Live Q&As

Sorry -- did that hurt?

Uh, do I count? I didn't get arrested, though.

It's not quiet at all -- unless you only read The Reliable Source, where we've been taking the long view on the Salahi story. They've been in heavy rotation on TMZ the past couple of weeks. If you've been suffering from withdrawal, a Google search will help.

How'd it go over? It seems like the kind of joke that only Al Roker could pull off. (Al Roker's snail-and-turtle joke at the White House jumping jack fest.)

We at least deserve to see a good YouTube video of this cat, don't you think? (Whitey Bulger tipster was Miss Iceland 1974)

You know, she's the subject of a lot of cynicism in the auto-racing world for not, you know, winning very much. But we were impressed by her yesterday for being not just great-looking but also owning the room. Lot of charisma there.  (Celebvocate: Danica Patrick)

I hear you. Obviously Chaz is kind of the underdog here, but let's face it -- he's working a hell of a lot harder than Vanessa Redgrave, who seems to think we should vote for her just for showing up. And Larry King's paso doble was just scary the other night. But I don't think Chaz stands a chance against Anthony Geary or Cat Ommanney.

It's kind of creepy  how excited we all are about a failed (but allegedly quite serious) terror plot. Our colleague Jason Horowitz wrote about the history of this kind of stuff; seems that Washington hasn't had this kind of cloak-and-dagger excitement in a while.

I think her choice is interesting. Clearly, some celebs have contracts for other appearances, etc.....but this is a once-in-a-lifetime event and was canceled for a very good reason. Frankly, I'm surprised more A-listers haven't made the effort to show up this time.

It sounds like they only pull out the manacles if you're 30 days expired. Otherwise, they'll just pile $100 tickets on you.

I think anyone who is interested in politics should see it -- with the understanding that it is a dark (if realistic) look at the campaign process. It broke my heart a little.

Yeah, well, tough crowd.

Seriously? Indeed, a quick search indicates that Bulger kept some property there for a while.

I just nudged her with my elbow. She's probably piped up by now.

Oh, you sticklers for historical facts. Columbus came to the New World from Ohio, where he founded a three-day weekend in the fall so little kids could go pumpkin picking.  14th century, I think. 

I think it's really hard to get now. Conrad Murray kind of ruined the fun for everyone.

Giamatti's character wasn't based on Joe----it was Hoffman's character, who is really the only decent guy in the bunch. Giamatti plays the other guy's campaign manager. So I'm guessing Joe feels pretty good.

Ah, shucks. Bet you say that to all the chats.

Nine pizzas with nine toppings for nine bucks? Sweet! I smell frat party.

Seems they were talking in general terms about the kind of restaurant where they might find the ambassador, and hadn't actually researched his hangouts -- so no particular place had been targeted. (And it should be noted that the informant is the one who suggested a restaurant as an assassination venue. ) BUT, if you were trying to find the Saudi ambassador, Milano is one place you might have caught up with him. I'm sure we'll be hearing from his other hangouts, trying to get in on the glory.

It might be more provocative if you actually agreed with me for once.

And so efficient, to have them right there living with you.  It's like Downton Abbey.

Oh, but open-wheel racing is so much sexier... But yes, you're right, it really is about sponsorshp dollars. Charisma and fan appeal matters.

True.

Plan for Chinatown, end up at a Caribbean bar drinking rum. 

Unless there's a wrench in the plans.

Well, I think that's a little unfair: Pepper spray hurts, and a willingness to get yourself pepper-sprayed or fire-hosed or beanbag-shot -- that's as much a part of the protest playbook as whatever the march's theoretic destination was.

"Is it impossible to know if this revolution is the real deal because we don't have the hindsight of history ?"  As the TV cable-news pundits say, "only time will tell."

Brilliant. Or is that everyone's Halloween costume this year?

In our dreams...

(Hey, isn't that...?: Elena Kagan in denim)

None of us have a clue what's going to sell on TV.

Is that already on? I'm a little overwhelmed by the new TV schedule. But I'm a big fan of hers, and you should definitely read Neely Tucker's story on Taraji.

Thanks! (Even though we're media, too. ) We do our best to be fair and tell the truth. The jumping jack thing was the typical adorable-kid photo op----but the whole Guinness record thing sketchy at best. Not that it matters a lot one way or another, but let's call it like it was:  Even the pictures show a lot of the kids weren't doing jumping jacks.

Ha! Spoiler alert! (I actually don't know how it ends -- Roxanne is the one who won the dream date with Joe Trippi; to make up for me getting to go to the movies with Jim Webb.)

Well, it cracked me up.

Yes! I just found the other person in this room who isn't watching DWTS. Sorry for the confusion, but Vanessa Redgrave thus far has only been cast in Amy Argetsinger's Alternate-Reality Season of DWTS. I think she's having a fauxmance with her partner, Maks Ballas.

I'll be covering tomorrow night---no news yet on the designer; we typically don't know until just before the dinner because the first lady often doesn't decide what she's wearing until right before she gets dressed. No more details on the guest list---that also gets released just before guests arrive.

Good question. I'd love to do more of these kinds of things, but it's just a matter of finding the right movie and the right VIP (who isn't too VI to go to the movies with us). 

Ha! Dark history joke!

I've actually seen her race. She didn't win that day, but she had a much longer line of fans waiting for her autograph than the guy who did. (Scott Dixon? I think? See, I'm just as bad as the rest of them.)

Which leads to my question: Did everyone's cell phone always work? No dropped calls, no drained batteries?  I noticed that Jack never seemed to charge his phone.

You can complain to me, like you always do. Or you can call circulation and start afresh.

Well, pizza is more popular than politics, so maybe that accounts for his poll numbers.

Now, the Internet is telling me that you must have eaten in Georgetown... but in fact the best Thai food is all in Shaw. Seriously. D.C. is enjoying an embarrassment of riches when it comes to great Thai food these days, but the best ones are Thai X-ing and Beau Thai, both over near Rhode Island and Florida.

Fans base. Fan base. Fan base. And maybe a few newcomers impressed by her boobs.

I think it's the stuff they give you to put you under, no? Whatever -- it is not intended for home or recreational use.

Now I'm dying to look at his shoes.

Yeah, Lindsay, right on! You lead the charge on Rodeo Drive -- I'll be right behind you, at least until they pull the pepper spray out.

Okay, I give up. But then, you had an articulate complaint that could be easily understood and addressed. See, that was easy.

Pretty bad, actually. But puns have their place in the world....a low, low place.

"In this country" (he said that about 100 times, didn't he?) he's a lock. Can he two-step? Apparently not. 

Our cup overflowth.

That would be so, so awesome. So no, none whatsoever.

The Patrick Howley story is an interesting one. He definitely participated, but beyond that we're getting into a semantic debate. If you read the (different versions) of his American Prospect story, he makes it sound like he  was more successful than the rest of his cohort in getting into the museum but not that he organized/led the mission. Whatever you think of his intent, though, the end result is a story that's a little too much about Patrick Howley.

That's so cute. As if. We lack the seriously self-promotional gene.

That was so last year.

Absurdly riveting, wasn't it? And the best thing is, you don't need to have seen the first four movies for it to make any sense -- because it doesn't make any sense anyway!

A shout-out from the Leif Ericsson lobby.

I need to stop teasing you guys. Sorry. I made all of that up. None of those people, so far as I know, are on DWTS -- except Chaz Bono, or so they tell me.

YES!!! If Kennedy or Breyer or Scalia were out wearing jeans, we'd be equally scintillated -- so please do not hesitate to tell us if this happens!  You basically never see Supreme Court justices on U Street, or wearing jeans. It's the kind of thing the "Hey, isn't that...?" feature is made for.

Oh, you're probably right. What are the other obvious zeitgeist costumes?

Pretty soon, Amy's going to pretend she doesn't know me. 

It's nice to see her smile.

It will definitely hurt him with the Uzbeki vote.

You ARE special. The White House just doesn't realize it yet. Someone hand out a trophy, quick!

Watching their fight scenes was like watching the Winkelvi fight. Very confusing.

Probably a bigger cultural influence on Generation X than Nirvana, really.

You know, it was my absolute favorite show, but I can't remember any of the plot lines.

You don't think I have a career in DWTS fan fiction?

Hoffman's campaign manager seemed flawed but less willing to backstab than most of the other characters. I could imagine liking that guy. But the movie underscored ---yet again---that politics is a tough way to make a living.

Chatters: Thanks so much for joining us, puns and all. Stay warm and dry and send us your tips, sightings and other fun facts. We'll be back next week, unless the building is occupied and we're forced to paint protest signs with vague demands.

Uffda, indeed.

Clinton is becoming the Ronald Reagan of the Dems. Pretty soon someone will demand we name an airport for him. 

Also helps.

Of course. I'm allowed to steal from myself.

Now we're really gone! Next week, gang.