Labor going backwards?

The AFL-CIO hung this “Had Enough? Vote” banner from its headquarters on Eye St., NW. Problem is, as spotted by the National Association of Manufacturers’ Pat Cleary, the sign faces west on the one-way, westbound street — to the backs of all the drivers who would otherwise see it.

Md. Democrats preach to the choir

It’s not often that one begins a Sunday getting seared by Tim Russert and ends the day getting saved and sanctified at a foot-stomping gospel concert. But Rep. Ben Cardin, D-Md., had just such a day this past weekend.

After spending his morning debating Maryland’s Lt. Gov. Michael Steele on NBC’s “Meet the Press” (both are campaigning for Maryland’s open Senate seat), Cardin spent his evening at Baltimore’s Southern Baptist Church for a “Get Out The Vote Gospel Concert” for all of Maryland’s statewide Democratic candidates.

It makes sense: After all, the best way to win in November is to have God on your side, right? And a little “Praying for Political Power” never hurt anybody. But before Democrats start asking voters to leave the pupils for the polls, they might want to learn Religious Rule No. 1: Get to the church on time. (The event started a half-hour late).

With the gospel choir, organ and full band setting the spiritual mood, the pulpit was fierce with political prayer. “Thank the Lord for our political officials!” screamed the gospel’s choir director. “Thank the Lord for the Congressional Black Caucus!”

“Bless every candidate tonight!” preached the Rev. Donte Hickman.

“The day of reckoning is near at hand!” congressional candidate John Sarbanes said.

Maryland State Sen. Nathaniel McFadden told the crowd, “Republicans — God Bless You — but on November 7, we’re voting ‘D’ all the way down the ballot!”

Since the preaching skills of such political notables as Cardin, Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley and Rep. Elijah Cummings couldn’t hold a candle to Southern Baptist’s regulars, it wasn’t hard for Star Jones Reynolds, the former co-host of “The View,” to seize the prize for best sermonizing.

The self-dubbed “Mistress of Ceremonies” said, “We’ve been tricked. … We’ve been bamboozled.”

“Christians need to begin to influence culture rather than letting culture influence Christians,” Jones said.

She also admitted to being bitter over the 2000 election and said that Nov. 7 provided voters with an opportunity to “reap the harvest of prophecy” and “take back what the devil stole from us.”

Jones did not elaborate on wh ether she was referring to Beelzebub himself or political brainiac Karl Rove.

Politicians join the ‘Wig Party’ tonight

In honor of tonight’s Halloween festivities, we asked some notable pols what costumes they’ll be donning. Here are their top ten responses:

» Rep. John E. Peterson, R-Pa.: “I understand the congressman [a rabid Steelers fan] has been looking high and low for a good Troy Polamalu wig. Absent that, though, he might just opt to paint himself silver and go as the Lombardi trophy,” said his press secretary.

» Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif.: Morticia Addams

» Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass.: “Tell them I’m dressing up as a Republican — that’s the scariest thing I can think of” he said.

» “Buck” McKeon, R-Calif.: “He plans to dress up as a chairman of a congressional committee in the majority party — and will continue to wear that costume after the election and for the next two years,” said his press secretary.

» Michael N. Castle, R-Del.: He’s “usually Frankenstein,” says a spokesperson.

» Peter DeFazio, D-Ore.: “Was thinking of dressing up as the GOP Congress, but he’s having some trouble finding a rubber stamp costume,” says his press secretary.

» Gene Taylor, D-Miss: “Since he lost his gorilla suit in Katrina, I’ll have to check with him,” says a spokesperson.

» Vic Snyder, D-Ark.: “Since my five-month-old boy Penn will be wearing an orange pumpkin outfit, I guess that means I will be going as Father of the Pumpkin,” he said.

» Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C.: “I could dress up as a Republican and scare D.C. residents, but on the 31st I stay at home and respond to neighborhood trick-or-treaters,” she said.

» Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.: Will wear a “monster mask” as he takes his children trick or treating.

GMA’s Barz bests Karnazes

Ultramarathoner Dean Karnazes took it easy in the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, completing the course in a lackadaisical (for him) three hours, 37 minutes. Of course, he has an excuse: He’s running 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days.

Even a journalist beat him. “Good Morning America” correspondent Mike Barz finished in a respectable 3:23.

In other notable finishes, the Brookings Institution’s Peter Orszag finished in 4:14, and Qorvis Communication’s man about town, David Bass, took 4:20 to complete the course.

It being an election season and all, Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Ind., must be busy. The 47 year old completed only half the marathon, but did so in 2:01.

In politics, timing is everything

Despite the GOP’s sagging polls, President Bush should consider himself extremely lucky in some respects. Take, for instance, the release date of “Iraq in Fragments,” a new documentary from director James Longley that paints a brutally disturbing portrait of life in Iraq. The film was screened to journalists Monday at Landmark’s E Street Cinema.

When does the film make its U.S. theatrical premiere? You guessed it: The day after the elections. The film first airs at Film Forum in New York City on Nov. 8 and opens locally at E Street on Nov. 10.

What did you dress as?

Among those events yesterday that we chose not to cover: Catholic University’s Annual Elemental Masquerade, “where students will come dressed as their favorite element.” Our electron cloud was at the dry cleaners anyway.