Arrivederci, Ivey

Perhaps the only thing more unusual than the sudden, vague fashion in which Prince George's County State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey announced he would not be running for Congress Tuesday was the setting where he chose to break the news:

On a cold, black night, off Route 202, high on a hilltop next to a Howard Johnson's, inside the dining room of an Italian restaurant named "Fratelli."

Around 6:20, still ten minutes early, the scene was roughly thus: Three tables full of customers dispersed throughout a large room, combined with about as many news camera tripods being set up a few yards from the entrance.

Asked why the event was being held here, one of the wait staff responded, "He comes here a lot."

A few minutes later, in walks Ivey with his aide, both bundled in winter coats. There was some initial confusion about whether the event would be held inside or out, but given the freezing temperatures, Ivey--and the restaurant staff--took some pity on the local press corps and stayed put.

Citing "personal reasons" and a desire for a "vacation" from elective politics, Ivey shied away from specifics on why he was stepping aside, just a month after he grabbed headlines by saying he was weighing a challenge to Edwards.

"I didn't have the appetite for another political campaign right now," he said.

The appetite of one of the cameramen was not as diminished. He took the opportunity to wolf down a plate of spaghetti marinara before the night was through.

When in Rome...