The Sleuth - Mary Ann Akers ... behind the scenes in Washington - August 10, 2008

Party Time '08: Add Tony Bennett and James Taylor to the Mix

We have a strange feeling Tony Bennett will be serenading House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) with his classic "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" in Denver later this month. The Grammy-award winning crooner is among the big names in music lending their talent to the behind-the-scenes partying at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Bennett, along with James Taylor and rising star John Legend,...

Walter Jones, From Freedom Fries to Anti-Bush Tomes

Question: Which southern conservative Republican congressman who voted to authorize war with Iraq recently is a big fan of Vincent Bugliosi's provocative new book, "The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder," on tape? Hint: The guy from the Carolinas who, during the lead-up to the war in 2003, renamed French fries "freedom fries" in House eateries but who later concluded the president took the...

Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick Hopes to be Untethered to Attend Dem Convention

UPDATE: The Obama campaign has made it perfectly clear they don't want Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick showing up at the convention and embarrassing Democrats further. "The focus of our convention to people back in Michigan should be on Barack Obama and how the party intends to get America back on track, not a distraction involving the troubles of one individual," says Brent Colburn, the Obama...

Party Time '08 Update: Kayne, Daughtry, Scotch and Cigars

The lineup for the recording industry lobby's biggest bashes at both political conventions is official: it'll be hip-hop king Kanye West in Denver and boyish-looking -- but not boy band -- Daughtry in Minnesota's twin cities for the Republicans to enjoy. (Chris Daughtry, of American Idol fame, is getting rave reviews despite his quasi boy-band look.) The Recording Industry Association of America, known for it's...

It's Raining Cats and Dogs in Hotly Contested Ohio Race

One of the most high profile House races in the country has literally gone to the dogs. (And the cats.) Setting a new standard in campaign gimmicks, Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy in Ohio's hotly contested 15th district is touting endorsements from -- get this -- area pets. Her campaign issued a press release Monday that at first blush looked fake. "The Congressional campaign of Mary...

The Sleuth: August 10, 2008 - August 16, 2008

Party Time '08: Add Tony Bennett and James Taylor to the Mix

Walter Jones, From Freedom Fries to Anti-Bush Tomes

Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick Hopes to be Untethered to Attend Dem Convention

Party Time '08 Update: Kayne, Daughtry, Scotch and Cigars

It's Raining Cats and Dogs in Hotly Contested Ohio Race