Inside the Beltway

OBAMA SWEEPSTAKES

It’s the new version of the old Lincoln Bedroom method. Democrats are not shy about converting the gravitas of the presidency into star-spangled fund-raising power. Behold the “Dinner with President Obama and Senator Boxer sweepstakes,” courtesy of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

“How would you like to have dinner with President Obama and Sen. Barbara Boxer? Mark May 25 on your calendar. Because that day, you and a friend could be in beautiful San Francisco, sharing a meal with two of our all-time favorite Democrats, as our guests.…You’ll even get your photo taken with President Obama as a memento of an unforgettable evening,” says committee executive director J.B. Poersch in a new public outreach.

“Now more than ever, we need to work together to protect Democrats like Sen. Boxer from the right-wing onslaught,” Mr. Poersch continues.

The total value of the prize, which includes round-trip airfare and a night in a hotel, is $4,950. The winner will be announced next week. And lest we anger the gods, we mention this in all fairness: While there are big red “contribute” notices plastered upon Mr. Poersch’s plea, it also advises loyal Democrats that “no purchase, payment or financial contribution of any kind is necessary to enter or win this promotion.”

BREWER’S REVENGE

Despite shrill news reports to the contrary, most Americans are not at odds with Arizona’s immigration law. The public “broadly supports” the state’s new legislation to manage illegal immigration, says a new survey from the Pew Research Center. There are some partisan divides, of course. Fully 73 percent of the respondents say they approve of requiring people to produce documents verifying their legal status should police ask for them. Among Republicans, the number was 86 percent; among Democrats, 65 percent.

Two-thirds overall also approve of allowing police to detain those who can’t verify their legal status; 81 percent of Republicans agree, compared with 55 percent of Democrats. Sixty-two percent approve of allowing police to question people they think are in the country illegally; the number was 79 percent among Republicans and 50 percent among Democrats.

Overall, six out of 10 Americans ultimately support “SB1070,” signed into law by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer on April 23. And the party split? Eighty-two percent of Republicans agree, compared with 46 percent of Democrats. President Obama got only tepid reviews, meanwhile, for his immigration policy. Overall, just 25 percent approved of it (8 percent of Republicans, 37 percent of Democrats). The poll of 994 adults was conducted May 6-9.

DATES OF INTEREST

Part 1: Arriving in the nation’s capital on Friday: Sarah Palin, for the sold-out Susan B. Anthony List “Celebration of Life Breakfast” at the Ronald Reagan Building.

Part 2: It’s already that time again. The date: Aug. 27, 2012. The place? Florida. The Republican National Committee has recommended Tampa-St. Petersburg to host the 2012 Republican National Convention — pending all those pesky negotiations. The also-rans: Phoenix and Salt Lake City.

“I look forward to attending as Florida’s newly elected U.S. senator,” says hopeful Marco Rubio, currently running for the aforementioned office as a conservative Republican.

GOOD POINT

“America is a nation, not a planet, so it’s a fantasy to pretend that restricting our carbon dioxide emissions will improve the environment if China, India and other large and rapidly industrializing nations don’t adopt the same restrictions. Carbon dioxide doesn’t stop at national borders.”

— Greg Scott, executive vice president and general counsel of the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association, reacting to the American Power Act, proposed by Sens. John Kerry, Massachusetts Democrat, and Joe Lieberman, Connecticut independent.

JUST SO YOU KNOW

Even the top-10 “workplace pet peeves” list has been affected by the lousy economy. The worst sin of the office is “people with poor time-management skills,” followed by gossip, messiness in communal places, loud noises, potent scents, overuse of personal electronic devices, misuse of e-mail and use of social-media websites.

“The economic occurrences of the past 18-plus months seem to have impacted what annoys people at work,” says Eileen Habelow, a spokeswoman for Randstad, a staffing placement company that made these determinations.

“Employees are looking for ways to increase their value at work, so it would only make sense they would be a bit bothered by co-workers who they believe are having an impact on their time and, possibly, company productivity,” she adds.

GETTING WAISTED

He’s got the resolute curve of the lip, the shock of graying hair and he’s an age-appropriate 56. But actor Dennis Quaid also had to put on 35 pounds to play former President Bill Clinton in HBO’s “The Special Relationship,” a docudrama tracing Mr. Clinton’s “unique friendship” with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, to air on May 29. Mr. Quaid also adopted a few of Mr. Clinton’s more ancient habits.

“I could have worn a suit to enhance my weight, but I didn’t want to go that route,” he says. “I did it the way he did: I went to McDonald’s every day.”

POLL DU JOUR

• 40 percent of Americans say President Obama’s choice of Elena Kagan for Supreme Court justice is “excellent or good.”

• 63 percent of Democrats and 18 percent of Republicans agree.

• 36 percent overall say the choice is “only fair” or poor.

• 17 percent of Democrats and 62 percent of Republicans agree.

• 24 percent overall have “no opinion” about the choice.

• 19 percent of Democrats and 20 percent of Republicans have no opinion.

Source: A Gallup poll of 1,004 adults conducted May 10.

• Squeaks, leaks and gibberish to jharper@washingtontimes.com