Oh ho ho ho, big victory for banal reactionary Mad Lib The POLITICO, as executive editor Jim VandeHei was just elected to serve on the Pulitzer Board. He is the first person from the Internet to ever do such a thing! Reports… the POLITICO, cynically: “‘In many ways, the Pulitzer Board is on the same mission as POLITICO: to embrace new media while fighting to protect the highest standards for writing, reporting and accuracy. I am honored to be a part of this effort,’ VandeHei said.” Ten Pulitzers in the category of fiction for Jim VandeHei. [The POLITICO]

Today’s big story from local acid rain compound Politico: the U.S. Chamber of Commerce declares itself immune to attacks from the liberal Apple Company and its “White House.” And just when we were expecting CoC President Tom Donohue to declare “We are not worthy” and close his shop down permanently! MORE »

This screengrab comes from the current front page of The Politico’s website. The Politico, as you know, is revolutionizing journalism and media. They are doing this by presenting two photo galleries made up mostly of Politico staffers. On the far left, three Politico staffers yuk it up at The Politico’s Politico Party. On the far right, Politico editor Jim VandeHei inexplicably ends up in a photo of James Clyburn, and another Politico writer. The middle picture is either Will Smith or Mike Allen, we can’t be sure. MORE »

* Heard on the Hill: Rep. Linda Sánchez judged a “best package” contest at Cobalt last week… Sex-starved middle-aged Washington women swooned over Richard Gere at the Old Ebbitt Grill… HoH columnist Mary Ann Akers is moving to Washingtonpost.com. [Roll Call]
* Reliable Source: Reliable Source readers vote Cynthia McKinney’s Cap Police beatdown the best Washington Gossip of ‘06. [WP]
* Yeas and Nays: Congressional offices all pretending they’re not betting like fiends on today’s Florida/OSU game, though Deborah Pryce and Adam Putnam have some sort of “betting for little kids” candy-vs.-pie thing going on… 300 old people protested AEI… Nancy Pelosi washes own hair at Salon! [Examiner]
* Washington Whispers: Former Post-ites turned Politico anchors John Harris and Jim VandHei smoke lots and lots of weed while discussing future of journalism… Arnold Schwarzenegger is eying Barbara Boxer’s seat, if you know what we mean. [USN&WR]

When the hell did Jim VandeHei start drinking the Internet Kool-Aid? The former Post political reporter comes off crazier and dumber than the Allbritton hack in the New York Observer today, raving about how his new infotainment YouTubing Google-blogging Series of Tubes venture will revolutionize everything ever. He insists that his new incredibly expensive LiveJournal “multi-platform project” — tied to a tabloid newspaper that hasn’t launched yet — will be a hit. Pull quotes: MORE »

Top political reporters Jim VandeHei and John Harris are leaving the Washington Post to act as accomplices in yet another new media bullshit show. This one’s some sort of website that will revolutionize political reporting — with VIDEO and shit. Their writing will also appear in the dead tree Capitol Leader, the upcoming daily Roll Call-but-not-quite newspaper whose launch keeps being delayed while they bleed dry The Hill (and Cap File and now the Post). MORE »

Scotty McClellan is going out, as he came in, dealing with tough questions from our top-notch press corps. From today’s gaggle: MORE »