Research scouts for Arnold Schwarzenegger’s upcoming film , Collateral Damage, are checking out underground tunnels in Washington and — surprise, surprise — they’ve found them in abundance. D.C. has an intricate series of underground passageways that form a web linking Washington’s key buildings — The White House, Treasury Department, and the various House and Senate Office Buildings to the Capitol. But it looks as if our allies to the north will get the business — Arnold will shoot the film in Canada.
When it comes to electing their nominee, delegates from states with less clout have reason to gripe. For starters, they’ll have quite a commute at both political conventions. Rule of thumb: the less powerful, the more distant. In Los Angeles, those from Indiana, Pennsylvania and Colorado lucked out because Democratic National Committee leaders hail from those parts. They won’t have to shuttle far since they’ll be staying in downtown L.A. close to candidate Al Gore, Tennesseans and the Staples Center. It appears as though the Bush contingent doesn’t want Sen. John McCain and fellow-Arizonans in Philadelphia at all. They’ve been assigned a hotel in Wilmington, Delaware.
Don’t be surprised if candidate Al Gore announces an important policy initiative during the GOP convention. Democratic strategists think that may put a halt to Dubya’s convention bounce. . . a bounce Governor Bush wants to ensure. His plans include a dramatic midweek entrance at the convention on the evening that he will be officially nominated.
The Clintons are forgoing their usual summer vacation this year to campaign and fund raise for the Democrats and especially one New York Senate candidate — who can that be? A glitzy Beverly Hills farewell tribute (and of course, fundraiser) is on the calendar pre-Democratic Convention weekend.
Not to be outdone, the Republicans have lined up Brooks & Dunn to entertain at a Salute to “W” and House Majority Whip Tom DeLay is sponsoring a Blues Traveler concert. And to top them all, at least for the Baby Boomers in attendance, will be an “American Bandstand” reunion of sorts. Congressman Mike Oxley, whose wife, Pat, was a regular on the popular TV dance show, is having a bash at “Bandstand’s” original location in Philly. Dick Clark, Chubby Checker, Frankie Avalon, and Bobby Rydel have promised to be on hand.
Star Treatment from a VIP: Actors Kristin Chenowith and Barry Bostwick were thrilled when Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott’s offered a personal tour of the Capitol after their Fourth of July performance on the West Lawn.
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright who canceled a trip to Japan for G8 this week, got in the spirit of the Mid East peace talks with dinner at Neyla, Georgetown’s new Mediterranean restaurant, Monday evening.