SUB-ROSA NEWS

Some of the News
That may be True

RICH LITTLE REPLACED AS CORRESPONDENTS DINNER SPEAKER

Steve Scully, President of the White House Correspondents Association announced today that, at the request of the White House, he was cancelling Rich Little as principal speaker. Apparently, one of Mr. Little's impersonations of Ronald Reagan had caused some offense.

Mr. Scully said that he had expected that Mr. Little's performance, unlike that of Stephen Colbert last year, would have been well within the Association's guideline of "singe, don't burn". However, he had acceded to the White House request in order to ensure President Bush's attendance at the dinner.

Under consideration as a replacement are Prairie Home Companion's Garrison Keillor and former White House wit,
Harriett Meirs

SUB-ROSA NEWS

Some of the News
That may be True


OBAMA CAMPAIGN BEGINS VP SEARCH


January 16 - In a press release today, the Barack Obama campaign headquarters announced the
formation of a search committee to select the best possible candidate to serve as Vice President
in the Obama administration. The release noted that the intense demand for change required that
the Senator begin planning for a speedy start to his Presidency.

At a contemporaneous briefing, Obama communications director Judy Halliday noted that Senator
Obama has been known throughout his political career for his ability to see and plan for the future.
Accordingly, the move to get a vice president ready was not premature. In response to questions of
whether this action might be seen as a sign of overconfidence or, possibly, arrogance. Ms. Halliday
again noted Mr. Obama's desire to move quickly toward change in Washington. She also pointed out
that the major starpower of Senator Obama and the magnitude of the receptions at his appearances
made election virtually certain.

Leading candidates to head the VP search committee were said to be former senator Dick Gephardt and fromer minority leader Tom Daschle.

Barack Obama on Sunday

Although I'm a big fan of Senator Obama, I found his Sunday interview with Bob Schieffer to be a bit tepid. I applaud his call for civility and bipartisanship, but it's nowhere good enough for any campaign for the presidency. His measured, intelligent responses must be accompanied by messages with intensity and passion. Intense moderation just will not work.

Mr. Obama should not shy away from confrontation. For example, on Sunday he could easily have taken Vice President Cheney to task for saying, or implying, that a withdrawal or redeployment strategy put forward by the Democrats represents a victory for Osama Bin Laden.

Remember, the actions of many of the right wing Republicans are not worthy of respect.

SOPRANOS' LITE

In syndication now is an edited version of the award-winning series, The Sopranos. It is doing quite well. Here is a typical scene:


(Paulie bursts into Tony's ofice)

Tony: What the devil do you want, Paulie?

Paulie: Johnny Sacks says he needs to have a sit-down with you.

Tony: Now, what the dickens does that fellow want?

Paulie: You know that rogue is always trying to muscle in on our dock operation.

(Chris walks in and accidently knocks over Tony's coffee cup)

Tony: Oh shucks, look at that mess.

Paulie: Chris, get over there and clean it the heck up

Tony: Tell that mama's boy Sacks that I'll meet with him as soon as he gets that
cock-a-doodled-do Blinky off my rear end.

Paulie: By golly, I will.