Maher’s a naughty boy when in D.C.

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Bill Maher just can’t resist. The comic, who was in town Friday to tape a special episode of his “Real Time” show for HBO, had to give a shout-out to two of his favorite spots: downtown’s oldest go-go bars.

The host, who is known to frequent the Playboy mansion at home in Los Angeles, said on air that when he comes to town, he looks forward to “seeing the monuments — Archibald’s and Camelot.”

Turns out he has a bit of history there. From 1975 to 1995, Archibald’s third level was a comedy club, where Maher frequently played, along with the likes of Jay Leno, Ellen DeGeneres, Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle.

“Usually when in town, Bill stops by,” said owner Dan Harris. Added manager Keith Dengenis, “Not only do we appreciate the mention, but we appreciate being mentioned first, because that’s where we think we are among gentlemen’s clubs in Washington.”

The owners of Camelot did not return phone calls and e-mails.

But Maher had clothed people to hang out with on Friday. At the surly comic’s table at the after-party at IndeBleu were author Andrew Sullivan and John Legend, who played a show at Zanzibar this weekend. Those who didn’t get that close: Jeff Gannon, Mary Frances Berry, Frank Luntz and David Frum.

What’s in a name? Cash, for some candidates

For some candidates, a name can be a blunt political weapon (see opponent Jim Webb’s campaign referring to Sen. George Allen, R-Va., as George Felix Allen Jr.). But for others, evocative names might mean more dough in their campaign coffers.

Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, running as a Republican for Senate this year, has received $10,000 from the Associated Builders and Contractors.

Deborah Travis Honeycutt, running to unseat Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., in Georgia’s 13th District, got $5,000 from American Crystal Sugar (not exactly like honey, but sweet nonetheless). Freshman Rep. Melissa Bean, D-Ill., running for a second term, won an endorsement by the United Food and Commercial Workers, while Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., has gotten $1,600 from the National Jewish Democratic Council PAC.

The Doris Day Animal Foundation saw fit to give $1,300 to a stockbroker running against Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., in Maryland’s 6th District. His name? Andrew Duck. And the dairy industry, through its Dairy Education PAC, got behind Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C., to the tune of $1,000.

Other pairings of pols and issues we might suggest: Democrat John Tester, running for Senate in Montana, and the College Board; Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., and Starbucks coffee.

House Majority Whip Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and Democrat Steven Haze, running for California’s 21st District, would make a great team for the marijuana decriminalization lobby, while Rep. John Boozman, R-Ark., seems a natural for the distilled spirits industry. We won’t leave wine out; we’ll give the Wine Institute Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, and Republican Bob Corker, candidate for Senate in Tennessee.

The American Meat Institute has yet to donate to Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., nor has Hormel or Oscar Mayer.

It’s tough to top John Courage, a Democratic candidate in Texas for a tough, principled-sounding name. His Web site proclaims, “John Courage’s name represents what Texans in District 21 are looking for.” Users may also link to the Web site www.veteranswithcourage.com.

But the candidate with the most fortuitous name? Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat running for Senate in Rhode Island against Republican incumbent Lincoln Chafee. New Leadership for America saw fit to give him $10,000 this cycle, so they must expect big things from him.

Williams puts pacifier on pundit

Panelists on Chris Matthews’ MSNBC show “Hardball” can sometimes find it hard to get a word in edgewise against the talkative host, but Matthews may have finally met his match: Robin Williams.

During Friday’s filming of “Hardball” at Georgetown University (airing Wednesday), it was Matthews who was forced to take a back seat to the gabby comedian. As Williams went off on one of his several comedic rants, Matthews could do little more than let Williams have center stage and entertain the audience. During one commercial break, Matthews leaned back and told one student, “It’s out of my control.”

Later that night, Matthews and Williams also appeared on Bill Maher’s HBO show “Real Time,” and Williams again dominated the conversation. In the green room, Matthews’ wife, Kathleen, told Yeas & Nays that she was surprised at how quiet Matthews had become. “He hardly said anything!”

Matthews later admitted that it’s hard to out-talk Williams, but Matthews said he doesn’t mind one bit.

“The guy’s a genius,” Matthews told Yeas & Nays. “That’s just the way his mind operates. It’s unbelievable. I love the guy.”

Aw … Matthews is playing a little softball.

An Oprah moment at Olives

Add Elizabeth Edwards to Bill Clinton and Teresa Heinz Kerry on the list of potential rock star first spouses.

Edwards, wife of former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., drew a packed — and we mean packed — crowd to the new lounge at Olives on Friday to celebrate her new book, “Saving Graces,” which traces her battle with breast cancer.

After wowing the crowd on “Oprah” recently, the book settled in at No. 4 on The New York Times best-seller list, and as of Sunday was No. 33 on Amazon.com.

An appreciative Edwards said, “I hope I get to see and hug every one of you.”

Among those getting a hug: NPR’s Nina Totenberg, lawyer Bob Bennett, Bloomberg’s Margaret Carlson, Kelly O’Donnell of NBC, and former DNC chairman Terry McAuliffe, who’s next on the Democratic book circuit — his tome comes out in the spring.

Speakeasy

“After a busy week of canvassing and organizing the Nancy Pelosi rally, come relax a little by sitting around the hookah.” – E-mail alert sent by the University of Pennsylvania Democrats