WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Capital Comment -- News notes, political rumors, and important events that shape politics and public policy in Washington and the world from United Press International.
The next step? -- Could Maryland Gov. Parris Glendening have his eye on political office in Washington? Glendening, a Democrat, bewildered members of the Maryland legislature this week when he delivered the final State-of-the-State of his term -- and spent more time on national and global issues than on his own state. Apparently Maryland has a budget crisis on the horizon and its traffic problems are getting worse every year, but not a word on either issue.
Pretzel logic -- Efforts on Friday by the White House Press Corps to extract the brand name of the presidential pretzels that caused President Bush to faint were fruitless. Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said a decision had been made early on not to release the name of the company that made the twisted snack.
Is blood thicker than ideology? -- Next to President Bush, former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani is the most popular Republican in America. Giuliani is supposed to be the anchor of the party's socially liberal (read pro-abortion rights) Eastern wing but a series of high-profile endorsements have a number of people scratching their heads.
His latest "thumbs up" went to California GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon, a Catholic and abortion opponent. Simon, son of Ford administration Treasury Secretary William Simon, received Giuliani's endorsement, along with that of the California Organization of Police and Sheriffs, at a news conference in Los Angeles last week.
"Of all the candidates seeking the Republican nomination for governor, Bill Simon is the one who has demonstrated the leadership California needs," Giuliani said. "Bill Simon and I worked together as federal prosecutors in the Reagan administration. I have personally witnessed his leadership abilities and determination in difficult situations. I've also greatly admired his success in business and his dedication to his fellow man as a leader in so many charitable and community activities."
Giuliani's repeated willingness to embrace "the big tent" in party primary politics has a number of people wondering if a presidential run is in Rudy's future.
And the award goes to ... -- The National Press Foundation has announced the winners of its 2001 awards. Bob Schieffer, chief Washington correspondent for CBS News, will receive the Taishoff Broadcaster of the Year Award. Paul E. Steiger, managing editor of the Wall Street Journal, will receive the George Beveridge Editor of the Year Award. Katharine Graham, the late publisher of the Washington Post, will posthumously receive the W.M. Kiplinger Distinguished Contributions to Journalism Award. Rex Babin, editorial cartoonist of the Sacramento Bee, will receive the Berryman Cartoonist of the Year award.
The Everett McKinley Dirksen Awards for Distinguished Coverage of Congress will be given to Jonathan Karl of CNN, and Jill Zuckman, chief Congressional correspondent for the Chicago Tribune. The Chairman's Citation for Overall Excellence in Journalism will be given to The New York Times for its coverage of the events on and after Sept.11. The foundation's second annual award for Online Journalism will be presented to VillageVoice.Com.
School of hard luck -- Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno's campaign for Florida governor took a big hit last week when the Florida Education Association, the union for the state's teachers, endorsed Tampa Attorney Bill McBride for the Democrat nomination. Teachers are generally a key constituency for Democrat candidates, so the FEA endorsement gives McBride a major boost. Reno continues to lead in pre-primary polls but the FEA push means McBride must now be taken as a serious threat to Reno's status as the frontrunner.
Udall in the family -- Democrat Steve Udall has resigned as Apache County, Ariz., attorney to launch a bid to join his cousins, Reps. Mark, D-Colo., and Tom Udall, D-N.M., in Congress. The 59-year-old Udall has already drawn the support of Steve Owens, who twice challenged Rep. J.D. Hayworth, R-Ariz., and was expected to run for the new seat this year. Steve Udall's father, Sherwood, is a first cousin of the late Rep. Mo Udall, D-Ariz., and former Rep. Stewart Udall, D-N.M., who also served as U.S. Secretary of the Interior in the 1960s.
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