Looks like they placed their order before Nov. 7.

Columbia University’s College Republicans (all seven of them, most likely) just released their new hooded sweatshirt, emblazoned with the Odd-Because-They-Lost motto, “Join us now ... Or work for us later.”

Sweep up on your way out

Much to your surprise, you’ve just been defeated in your bid for an umpteenth term in Congress. Now, for an extra dose of indignity, you have to pack up your own office and get out — quickly.

A recent guide issued for departing members by the Congressional Research Service states that the nearly 60 House members must be out of their offices by noon on Friday. After that, each “is assigned to a single cubicle that can accommodate the member and one other person at any given time.” The cubes are available on a “first-come, first-served basis.” Charming. The 10 departing senators at least get to stay until their terms expire on Jan. 3.

While dealing with that, they (well, their staffs) must busy themselves boxing everything up and clearing out.

The guide notes that files generated “are the personal property of the member,” although the House “pays for point-to-point shipping. … Other materials, including memorabilia, photographs and documents that do not relate to official business must be shipped or disposed of at the outgoing member’s expense.”

Regrettably, we learn that “neither statute nor the standing rules of the Senate define which items constitute a senator’s papers”; however, “by tradition and practice, any such records are the private property of the individual senator.”

House members are “allowed to purchase their chairs and desks,” but “[f]urnishings in a departing senator’s personal and Capitol offices remain in place.”

Somewhat more practical is another guide by the nonprofit Congressional Management Foundation, which collects the advice of “numerous current and former Hill staffers who have closed congressional offices.”

In the guide, one staffer says, “Ideally, planning to close a congressional office should begin the day you move in.” (Pessimistic, no?)

This report largely concerns itself with human resources. “The major resource with which you will be dealing — employees — can be an especially fluid factor,” the guide states. “Your employees may respond to the prospect of closing the office in a number of negative ways.” (To say nothing of cramming everything into one cubicle.)

Here are some hints from CMF’s report: “Give the staff positive feedback,” “continue to set a professional example,” “cross-train the staff,” “utilize interns,” “use various colored stickers to separate items” and “start early if the member has a large number of gifts from foreign countries to donate.”

We might add “shred early and often” to that list.

That’s Mister Smith Point, to you ...

Dear Smith Point regulars:

Do you ever find that, whenever you go to Georgetown’s Smith Point bar — that preppy enclave (and Bush twins stomping ground) — you feel a bit out of place? Do you feel like you’ve, well, gotten a bit too old for that crowd? But do you, as a longtime patron, still have that desire to get your prep on and get drunk and fabulous, despite the fact that age has made your collar lose a bit of its stiffness?

Fear not. Smith Point bar owner Bo Blair has a solution: Smith Point ... for older people! (After all, youth is fleeting, but blue blood is forever.)

In December, Blair will open a new, exclusive, swanky club at 2519 Pennsylvania Ave. for Smith Point types closer to 30 who, according to one Yeas & Nays source, were growing frustrated because “the girls there are like 20 years old.”

Hence, the new hangout will be a “similar crowd, but more upscale; a better dress code,” said another source familiar with the opening. Unlike Smith Point, the as-yet-unnamed bar will be open “six or seven” days a week. The source says there will be some type of membership component and, yes, a list at the door.

Although the original opening party was slated for Dec. 6, snags in the process have pushed back the opening further into December.

“I don’t like to do anything until everything’s perfect,” said Blair.

Obama Fan-Orama

If Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., was unsure of his support for a 2008 presidential run, he need look no further than the two fan sites competing for his affection and urging him to run.

First, there is RunObama.com, which was started after the recent midterm elections by Todd Webster, former aide to Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D.

Now add to the mix DraftObama.org, which makes its official debut this week.

The site was started by Rockville computer technician Ben Stanfield, who purchased the domain name in 2004 after seeing Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention.

Both Stanfield and Webster say that there’s no animosity between them.

In fact, both uttered the same phrase, “the more the merrier,” when asked what they thought about another Web site with similar objectives.

The horse race fan in us can’t help but wonder which site will win the day.

Stanfield claims that he gets 1,000 to 1,500 unique visitors a day, whereas Webster put his number at closer to 500.

But what does the senator himself think about all this? His office did not return calls for comment by press time Tuesday.

Matthews: A second act in Washington

It was back-to-back parties in honor of career-changing Kathleen Matthews this week.

On Monday, Bill Marriott threw a grand fete at the Ritz Carlton downtown to welcome the longtime WJLA anchor to his executive team.

A veritable who’s who of media — ABC’s Sam Donaldson, Fox’s Chris Wallace, NBC’s Norah O’Donnell, talker Laura Ingraham — joined the likes of former Defense Secretary Bill Cohen, AOL founder Jim Kimsey and, oh yes, even her busy husband, Chris, showed up to celebrate Matthews.

The same video, featuring highlights from her broadcast career and the lowlights of her Marriott training (like learning to scrub rooms) played at the Ritz and at WJLA’s studios in Rosslyn for her reverential and sometimes teary going away on Tuesday.

The guest list couldn’t quite match that of the Ritz bash, except for retired Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who drew smiles when he said that “people all over are in love with Kathleen.”