Red crayons only for coloring book?

Pat Robertson, icon of the Religious Right and scourge of secularists everywhere, has earned his own coloring book. Released by Garrett County Press, an independent publisher in Philadelphia, “The Pat Robertson & Friends Coloring Book” collects quotes from Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Ann Coulter and other conservative heroes, and spins them into not-so-flattering illustrations by New York-based illustrator Kevin Stone.

Among the choice Robertson-isms: “75 to 80 percent of the illnesses in the United States are psychosomatic,” and “Even if Bush stumbles and messes up — and he’s had his share of stumbles and gaffes — I just think God’s blessing is on him.”

Even President Bush’s family isn’t spared: Stone illustrates the president's mother, Barbara, thanks to this quote of hers from 2003: “But why should we hear about body bags, and deaths. ... Or, I mean, it’s, it’s not relevant. So, why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that?”

Reached Thursday Stone told us his vision in creating the pen and ink drawings was to “get to the heart of what we are trying to say.”

And that was to expose “how ridiculous” he feels these public figures are through the use of their own words. “Some of [their statements] we had to hold back because it sounds like hate speech,” he said.

To promote the book, the publisher invited a variety of artists to try their hand at coloring in a page.

From the cartoonish to the avant-garde, the results are online at Powells.com.

Also included in the book is a Pat Robertson Paper Doll. Now how much would you pay? Try $8.95, although you can save $5 by purchasing it along with the George W. Bush Coloring Book. Illustrated by Karen Ocker, the Bush book, released in 2004, stems from the president’s own imaginative quotes.

A sample: “I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully.”

Williams and Davis exercise their influence

They’re good buddies, but when it comes to athletics, D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams and Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., are out to settle some scores.

The two made an appearance Thursday at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s “Spin to Win” event, which pitted stationary bike teams against each other in order to raise heart rates — and funds — for a diabetes cure.

It was D.C.’s version of a prize -fight. Davis had originally challenged Williams to the pedal-off. In his introductory remarks, Williams boasted, “I’ve been working out all week and I’m ready to go.” They both started off on the bikes with vigor, smiles and, of course, complete business attire (the bow-tie couldn’t have helped Williams’ oxygen flow). But it wasn’t long before Williams started to fade and eased the resistance on his bike. Noticing the struggling mayor, a photographer lent a hand and began to fan him with a gym towel. Turns out that even Williams’ Lance Armstrong-inspired “Live Strong” bracelet couldn’t save him.

Davis gleefully watched the fading out of the corner of his Eyes of the Tiger, but it wasn’t long before Davis himself got winded. Williams later admitted to Yeas & Nays that this was his first time spinning and “it’s not exactly my top pick for exercising.” (You don’t say ...)

But this was a spinning event after all, so the triumphant Davis was perfectly gentlemanly in his victory. When asked who won, Davis humbly replied, “juvenile diabetes.”

New York, D.C. buddies kick in to Lieberman’s surging campaign

Ned Lamont, the Democratic Senate nominee in Connecticut, may be the darling of rich and famous liberals everywhere, but his rival, newly independent Sen. Joe Lieberman, has shown he can pull a big name or two to his donor list as well.

Lieberman’s recently released third quarter campaign finance report reveals he has gotten help from former New York City Mayor Ed Koch, playwright Neil Simon and makeup magnate Ron Perelman. A few of Lieberman’s old D.C. buddies have kicked in as well. Among them: former SEC Chairman Arthur Levitt, former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin and former Sen. Dennis DeConcini, D-Ariz.

Lieberman’s reach doesn’t appear to extend across the country, however, as most of his donors live along the Northeast corridor.

Lamont, by contrast, has gotten cash from such left coast luminaries as Barbra Streisand, musician Jackson Browne, director Richard Donner, comedian Janeane Garofalo and producer Norman Lear. Billionaire financier and Bush basher George Soros contributed $1,000, of course.

Heat Index

Who’s hot or cold

Steaming

Republican defense lawyers

Rep. John Doolittle, R-Calif., currently under investigation for his role in Jack Abramoff’s shenanigans, reported paying $51,000 in legal fees in the third quarter. Meanwhile, former Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., may divert some of his leftover campaign cash to a legal slush fund.

Hot

Washington

Things seem so much more calm and pleasant around here recently. It’s amazing what happens when members of Congress head back to their districts.

Lukewarm

Wesley Clark

All the 2008 talk in Democratic circles concerns Hillary or Barack. But guess who got the most money from liberal billionaire George Soros? Wesley Clark. Then again, we know how much good that money did in 2004. ...

Cold

Photo-ops

President Bush wants to sign the Secure Fence Act in private, infuriating Republican lawmakers eager for a chance to show constituents that they actually did something on the issue.

Speakeasy

“While Republicans fight the war on terror, grow our robust economy and crack down on illegal immigration, House Democrats plot to establish a Department of Peace, raise your taxes and minimize penalties for crack dealers.” – House Majority Whip Roy Blunt, R-Mo.