Grumpy Editor

Publicist’s nightmare: Ex-Sen. Specter barks at KTCN host

What makes a day rough for a book publicist is for a book-plugging author to get nasty during a live radio interview in which the host is called “absolutely insulting,” as was the case Monday when former Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter appeared on a Twin Cities station, finds Grumpy Editor.

Specter, making the rounds promoting “Life Among the Cannibals” published by Thomas Dunne Books at St. Martin’s Press, made it to Jason Lewis, a conservative talk show host at KTCN (a Clear Channel Communications station in Minneapolis that prefers to be identified as News/Talk 1130), when he let loose with an outburst near the close of an interview.

“I have one final comment,” said Specter who turned Democrat from Republican in April 2009. “I gave you 10 minutes. You’ve been over every subject except for my book. I’ve listened to two rounds of your commercials. I think it’s insulting. I’ve been in a lot of interviews in the course of the past 30 years and you are absolutely insulting.”

Lewis fired back with:  “Good God. This is not public radio. I don’t have a government grant. We’ve got to pay the bills.  They’re called commercials. Capitalism.”

Replied Specter:  “I’m talking about someone who’s civilized. I told you the last time around I wasn’t going to sit around and listen to your commercials, and I didn’t want to hang up on you. This is no way for anybody to run an interview. I’m as experienced as you are, if not more so.”

The call wrapped up with Specter saying, “That’s all I have to tell you, so goodbye.”

Lewis countered, “Good Lord, senator, no wonder you got beat.” 

 

Congress takes off more in 2012, finds Grumpy Editor

Wonder why there are a lower number of  Washington datelines in newspapers?  Congress has been quiet, mostly out of town.  But some action resumes today with a call of the House at 6:30 p.m., Eastern, notes Grumpy Editor.

But House members are only scheduled for six days in session this month while the Senate convenes next Monday. 

On the way to fewer sessions this year despite pressing matters, don’t look for any solid month of action in the House. February, the shortest month on the 2012 calendar (despite being Leap Year), will see the House active the most days:  14.  Among the leanest months, the House is scheduled to meet only eight days in April, three in August and five in October. 

The Senate, meanwhile, schedules a number of “state work periods” that allows members more time to spend with constituents in their home states --- and for “fact finding” trips.  For the House, time spent in home districts is called “constituent work week.” 

Despite the many days off, Washington press corps’ reports will imply that just about every day --- even during holiday periods --- carries a full slate of pursuits by lawmakers busy in the nation’s capital.

( House and Senate calendars, below.)

2012 Senate schedule, 112^th Congress, 2^nd session

Jan. 23 - Senate convenes

Non-legislative days

Feb. 20 – 24, state work period

April 2 – 13, state work period

April 30 – May 4, state work period

May 28 – June 1, state work period (Memorial Day, May 28)

July 2 – 6, state work period (Independence Day, July 4)

Aug. 6 – Sept. 7, state work period (Labor Day, Sept. 3)

Oct. 8 - Columbus Day federal holiday

Nov. 12 -  Veterans Day federal holiday

Adjournment date to be determined

 

2012 House schedule, 112^th Congress, 2^nd session 

Legislative days

Jan. 17, 18, 23-25, 31

Feb. 1-3, 6-9, 14–17, 27–29

March 1, 5-8, 19-22, 26-29

April 16-19, 24-27

May 7-10, 15-18, 30, 31

June 1, 5-8, 18-21, 26-29

July 9-12, 17-20, 23-26, 31

Aug. 1-3

Sept. 10-14, 19-21

Oct. 1-5

Nov. 13-16, 27-30

Dec. 3-6, 11-14

 

Schedules are subject to change.

 

Connecticut Senator seeks federal funding for diapers

While much of the U.S. is focused on creating jobs, lowering taxes, improving education, thwarting terrorism, avoiding foreclosures and observing pre-election action, Connecticut continues to get to the bottom of things, dwelling on --- diapers, finds Grumpy Editor.

On the heels of last Thursday’s Diaper Need Awareness Day, observed solely in Connecticut after Gov. Dannel P. Malloy issued a declaration, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.) yesterday introduced legislation, adding child-care services funding to purchase diapers and diapering supplies.

At the Oct. 27 diapers event in New Haven, activists and advocates gathered for a panel discussion on diapers as a public health issue.  It was followed by a fundraiser.

As explained by Pete Kasperowicz, writing in The Hill, Blumenthal’s bill, S. 1778, would amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to allow diapers and related supplies to be bought with grant money provided to states. 

A summary of Blumenthal's bill, Kasperowicz added, indicated it would "include the provision of diapers and diapering supplies among the activities for which funds may be employed to improve the quality of and access to child care." 

Diaper makers Pampers, a Procter & Gamble Co. product, and Huggies, manufactured by Kimberly-Clark Corp., should be delighted by the move.

 

Reid, 9 other senators complete 'hush mission' to China

Harry Reid leading nine other U.S. senators, and others, in a tour of China last week didn’t get much attention in the nation’s press, so it turned out to be a rather secretive affair, notes Grumpy Editor. 

That’s probably the way the Nevada Democrat wanted it.

However, an April 20 news release (during the China tour) from the senate majority leader’s office mentioned the week-long trip “centered on trade, currency, cooperation on global security, human rights and clean energy.”

But missing were mentions of typical tourist attractions such as a side trip to Macau, complete with fancy lunch at the MGM Macau, to see the gambling center. 

Accompanying Reid were Barbara Boxer (D., Calif.), Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.), Dick Durbin (D., Ill.), Michael Bennet, (D., Colo.), Frank Lautenberg (D., N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D., Ore.) and Mike Enzi (R., Wyo.), Richard Shelby (R., Ala.) and Johnny Isakson (R., Ga.) plus spouses, select staffers and foreign service officers. 

The secretive journey was labeled as such for “security concerns.”  The itinerary was kept confidential.  Usually, with security concerns, spouses are left behind.  

But it was more likely “hush-hush” to limit discussion of the entourage’s accommodations and destinations in the taxpayer-funded tour. 

Reid made sure his PR staff last Wednesday issued a news release pointing out the group met in Beijing with Wang Qishan, vice premier of China; Yang Jiechi, China's foreign minister, and Zhou Xiaochuan, president of the People's Bank of China.

The news release also quoted Reid saying, "The relationship between the United States and China is important for our two nations, but it is also important for the world.” 

It also mentioned Reid declaring, “Never before has a Senate delegation this large, representing more than 100 million Americans and more than a third of the American population, traveled to China.” 

Some additional light was shed on the trip via the Las Vegas Sun which last Tuesday reported, “The visit is officially a fact-finding mission with no immediate promise of any new business ventures, although the group will be doing ‘site visits of American investments and clean energy projects in Chengdu, Beijing and Xi’an,’ according to Reid’s office.” 

Reid’s constituents in Nevada will be awaiting a detailed report, hopefully before the next election, on his fact findings in China on “trade, currency, cooperation on global security, human rights and clean energy" --- and especially the benefits to the Silver State.