The Wall Street Journal’s Washington Wire has an excellent piece up about a leaked unofficial document entitled “The 2111: An Intern’s Survival Guide” that was authored by interns of scandal-plagued GOP Rep. Don Young in 2007. The whole thing is worth a read if only to get a sense of what it’s like to work with the cantankerous Young and his wife.
One juicy detail is the so-called “A Team” — a group of lobbyists that interns are instructed to give unrestricted access to anyone in the office they like:
The A Team: Rick Alcalde, Colin Chapman, Randy DeLay, Billy Lee Evans, Jack Ferguson, Mike Henry, Duncan Smith, C.J. Zane, and Jay Dickey. These people can talk to whomever they want, normally Mike or Sara. Tell them who it is and transfer over unless they say otherwise. I recommend looking up who they are.
A good recommendation — one that the WSJ followed up on:
Some, like Alcalde, are tied to an ongoing investigation into a $10 million earmark Young secured for Coconut Road in Florida. Alcalde, a transportation lobbyist, worked for a real estate developer who sought the earmark and was a major financial contributor to Young’s campaign. DeLay is the Houston-based lobbyist brother of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, Ferguson is a former chief of staff to Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, who is also under federal investigation. Evans and Dickey are former congressmen, and Henry, Smith, Zane, and Chapman are former Young staffers.
When not bending over backwards for Young’s lobbyist pals, the congressman’s interns work hard to accommodate their boss’ personality quirks:
When he calls put him straight through. If whoever he wants is not her [sic] give it to Mike, if Mike is not here: Sara. You will not get this right, there is no way to. He does not introduce himself, should you realize who he is you will find another way to get it wrong. Rise above it. Does not like facial piercings. Keep your hands out of your pockets. Expects you to open doors for him (particularly tricky when he does not specify where he is going, make a guess)
And Mrs. Young:
Wants Pumpkin Seeds when she says sunflower seeds Don’t stand in her way-don’t stand anywhere I would suggest. Sit down or hide in the broom cupboard. Does not tolerate noise from the computers. Does not like Cologne Eat what she tells you to eat. If you sneeze it’s always allergies or pressure changes; stick strong to your case.
Wild.
that’s really funny. That’s how you know a person has had too much power, for too long. I love the Mrs. Young stuff though. No, I’m not sick, its just an allergic reaction to pressure changes! lol
You know, there’s a judge in Orange County who has that rule for lawyers in his courtroom. I saw one guy get reamed out for breaking the rule. The judge told him it was an “obscene gesture.”
I really think Young’s going to lose his primary, sadly.
Methinks these people have been in Washington wayyyyy too long. They need a nice long vacation and retirement.
Josh Marshall probably has a bit more of this document. This could get fun….
What’s with Alaska and computers?
“Does not tolerate noise from the computers.”
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
“Sit down or hide in the broom cupboard.”
AHAHAHAHAHHAHA!!!