Kitty Felde
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Endangered species: married couples
Married couples are on the verge of becoming a minority. A Pew Research Center study released today shows that just over half, 51% of those over 18 are married. A decade ago, the number was 57%. College graduates are more likely to marry. Nearly two thirds have tied the knot.
So I'm doing my part. Twenty years ago today, I marched down that aisle in way too many ruffles and bows (it was the Princess Di influence) and said "I do" to a nice guy from Chicago named Tad Daley and have lived happily ever after. More or less. I highly recommend it.
Fear the beard?
Washington has earned its reputation as one of the dullest fashion spots on the planet, so I always appreciate the California delegation's willingness to break out out of the usual charcoal/navy suit routine for the gentlemen and finding alternatives to the Nancy Pelosi suit on the feminine side.
Republican Congressman John Campbell has taken several fashion risks over the years, including a navy pinstripe suit that would have let him play Nathan Detroit in the Little Theatre of Alexandria's production of "Guys and Dolls." But I applaud the effort to break out of the dull of the rigid Washington dress code.
However, the Republican from Irvine is now sporting facial hair and is soliciting opinions about whether it's a good look or not. Distinguished or makes him seem like his evil twin from an alternative universe? It's not the scary Brian Wilson of the San Francisco Giants beard, but it's a statement.
So we have the Beard Poll. Weigh in now. Yeah or nay.
Angry Democrats
The news conference featured more than a dozen California Democrats mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. The target of their ire: not their GOP colleagues. They were furious with the man at the top of their own party: President Obama.
One in three Californians owes more than their house is worth. Members of Congress say they're hearing from those constituents.
Congressman Dennis Cardoza of Modesto accused the administration of not doing "a darned thing" to help homeowners floundering in the housing crisis, saying the Obama administration has "not gotten it right over and over and over."
Jackie Speier of San Mateo demanded, "Do something real, Mr. President!"
Jim Costa of Fresno said he doesn't want "to hear about tweaks" to federal rescue programs. He's looking for the White House plan to solve the housing crisis.
Anna Eshoo of Palo Alto said she'd met recently with the President's housing chief Edward DeMarco, and found him "tepid and defensive."
John Garamendi of Walnut Creek complained about numerous meetings with members of the Obama administration, the "highest of high officials to no good end and no good result." He referred to the protests out on the streets, saying, "Listen up, listen to the sound of the street, listen to the sound of the people." He said their "frustration is well placed."
It's the most passionate I've seen Democrats in months. Whether it will hurts or helps President Obama remains to be seen.
There were 14 California Democrats at that news conference, but only two from Southern California: Laura Richardson of Long Beach and Judy Chu of El Monte. Three, if you count Susan Davis of San Diego. The rest were from central and northern California.
The letter they sent to the President was signed by all but two of the 34 California House Democrats.
Missing? Nancy Pelosi, who doesn't sign such things because she's Minority Leader - and Maxine Waters. There has been no comment from Waters' office about why her signature is missing.
The letter to President Obama demanding help for homeowners had no Republican signatures. They weren't asked to sign, but as Irvine Congressman John Campbell put it when describing the Democratic letter: "I agree with their sentiments, but not their solutions."
Democrats want all Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages to qualify for refinancing. Campbell and fellow Republican Gary Miller of Diamond Bar prefer scrapping Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and creating a new agency to handle home mortgages.
Construction has stalled in California. So have home sales. The state's 53 House members - the biggest delegation on Capitol Hill - agree that something must be done. They just can't agree on what "something" is.
Years ago, members of the Texas delegation bragged to me about how well they work together, statewide, even across party lines. It's something the Californians haven't mastered.
Protest of the week: mimes on Capitol Hill
It's a lousy radio story. But here's my vote for the most creative protest this week.
The press release from Consumer Watchdog promises "a troupe of mimes – dressed in white “Google Track Team” suits and wearing Google “Wi-Spy” glasses – will follow people around Dirksen Senate Office Building where the Judiciary hearing will be held. They will dramatize how Google is recording everything consumers do on the Internet."
Will post pictures when I spot them.
Security heavy in DC
They've really cranked up the security here on Capitol Hill as a result of the vague Al Qaeda threat made public just before 9-11. The short metal fences that block cars from getting close to the Capitol are up. I've seen two bomb-sniffing dogs this morning - one outside the office of House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy. And there were security personnel of all stripes waiting outside the Congressional meeting room where US mayors were meeting with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Bag checks are thorough. Haven't spotted any of the submachine guns I saw the night President Obama came to address Congress. Yet.
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