• Lloyd Grove’s Lowdown: Karl Rove has been suffering with kidney stones for weeks. . . Terry McAuliffe is writing a memoir. [NYDN]
• Names & Faces: Paul Wolfowitz, Queen Noor, Karl Rove join the Bush family on Washington’s “most invited” list. [WP]
• Page Six: Scenes from the Christopher Hitchens-George Galloway debate. Galloway: “What you have witnessed is a phenomenon, the first metamorphosis in natural history of a butterfly back into a slug… and the one thing a slug leaves behind it is a trail of slime.”. . . Joke circulating on the internet: “Q: What is George W. Bush’s position on Roe vs. Wade? A: He really doesn’t care how people get out of New Orleans.”. . . Bill Maher: “Michael Brown, the head of FEMA has been relieved of his command. He has been asked to return to Washington immediately. He is expected to arrive in about a week.” [NYP, NYP]
• Rush & Molloy: Tony Blair and posse dined at SoHo House in New York. [NYDN]

• Washington Whispers: George W. envisions a “Bush Institute” policy group and a library-museum that features an IMAX theater. . . John Thune could lead the GOP Senatorial Committee or be tapped as vice presidential candidate. . . Judith Miller’s hand is tired from responding to letters. . . The Washington Times may sponsor the Pentagon’s Freedom Walk. . . Margaret Spellings is addicted to Sudoku. [USN&WR]
• Page Six: Barbara Bush –the white-haired one– was spotted “guzzling numerous vodka sodas at East Side Company Bar with a gal pal.” [NYP]
• Inside Politics: John McCain distinguishes Vietnam from Iraq. . . British politician George Galloway will join Jane Fonda’s anti-war bus tour. [WT]
• Rush & Molloy: John Roberts talked golf over grilled halibut with three other men in a private section of McCormick & Schmick in Bethesda. . . Bill O’Reilly compares the director of “Outfoxed” to Islamic suicide bombers and Third Reich fanatics; filmmaker wants real debate, Fox News wants his “extinction.” [NYDN]