From presidential scratch pads

For further proof that no aspect of the presidency is too mundane for research and documentation, we submit to you “Presidential Doodles,” a new book by the editors of the art and essayists’ magazine Cabinet.

From the book, complete with hundreds of doodles culled from the National Archives, we learn that Benjamin Harrison fancied stick-figure animals, while Herbert Hoover put his engineer’s mind to work in his symmetrical sketches. Dwight Eisenhower, Cold Warrior that he was, preferred sketching bombs, guns and other martial items, while Lyndon B. Johnson took to a “slightly nightmarish scribbled man-on-fire aesthetic.”

Some doodles became famous. After John F. Kennedy’s assassination, a collection of his sketches toured 23 cities in 1964.

Four years later, painter Louis Thayer “exhibited 25 canvases based on Hoover’s scratch pads.”

According to the authors, Republicans “are the greatest doodlers.” Eisenhower was skillful at “art-school techniques” and Ronald Reagan took his characters “straight out of American folklore — or Hollywood. Reagan often drew himself in these roles … a cowboy, football player and a handsome, leading man.” To a lucky few, the Gipper even “handed out his correspondence-course-style drawings at meetings.”

Are you listening, e-Bayers?

Congress

members top lobbyists on hardwood

It appears that yet again, lobbyists are better schmoozers than shooters.

In Tuesday’s annual Hoops for Hope basketball game, which pits lobbyists against members of Congress, the members prevailed yet again.

“We hung close to the members, but they went on a spurt and beat us 43-39,” said Paul Miller, president of the American League of Lobbyists, which hosts the event.

Miller said Paul Brown, of Pfizer, and Al Jackson, of the Jackson Group, played particularly well for their side. For the members’ squad, the horses were lanky Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., and Rep. Kenny Hulshof, R-Mo., although Miller said “they all played well.”

The lobbyists have never won the event, now in its seventh year, a streak Miller attributes to practice. The members are able to work out in the House gym — which includes a court — whenever their schedule permits. “We play once a year together and they play twice a week together,” Miller said.

The event raised about $50,000 for three charities: Horton’s Kids, Hill Help and the Luke Tiahrt Foundation, named for the late son of congressional team member Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan.

Packwood keeps hands to himself

What was Bob Packwood doing on Capitol Hill Wednesday?

The former senator resigned from the body in 1995 due to charges of ethical misconduct, after at least 29 women charged him with sexual harassment over the years.

He emerged from the senators’ elevator Wednesday afternoon and a Capitol police officer instantly began asking everyone around to “stand back” as Packwood made his way along the Ohio Clock Corridor outside the Senate chamber (no word as to whether the officer was simply trying to protect the ladies).

But this time, there was no groping by Packwood, only groveling. Packwood, a registered lobbyist for the Sunrise Research Corporation, chatted up Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, about health issues. Packwood’s visit just so happened to coincide with a rare Senate-side visit by Rep. Stephanie Herseth, D-S.D., considered by many to be one of Congress’ most attractive members.

Perhaps she was just testing him ...

Still in town, Jamie makes nice with the locals

Jamie Foxx just can’t seem to get enough out of D.C. He has popped in on birthday parties and sung “Gold digger.” Based at the Four Seasons in Georgetown, he has hung with Redskins owner Dan Snyder and attended the Redskins’ season opener on Monday.

He has worked on the upcoming movie “The Kingdom,” and on Tuesday night, after playing basketball at The George Washington University, Foxx and his posse danced the night away at the Dupont Circle lounge Fly.

But what inquiring minds want to know is: Who was that lady he was wooing with his suave moves?

Assuming he wins in November, how long will Adrian Fenty last as D.C.’s mayor?

“[Since] D.C. government is essentially unaccountable to its citizens, Fenty could be in forever. But it’s always a great day in D.C. when a non-entity, and not a felon, becomes the new maximum leader.”

Nick Gillespie, Editor-in-Chief, Reason

“I’d give him one term. If he wants to run for president, there are a lot of doors to knock on and plenty of streets to be walked. He’d have to get started soon.”

Martin Austermuhle, Editor-in-Chief, DCist.com

“If he can learn to manipulate the federal government, and protect us from it, too, while also buffing up the D.C. government and saving the schools, then he will be mayor as long as he wants the job.”

– Carol Joynt, Owner, Nathan’s