Inside the Beltway

BITTER MEMORIES

Over time, cavalier asides can turn rancid, a phenomenon that the White House may revisit Tuesday as the primary bout between Republican Tim Burns and Democratic foe Mark Critz unfolds like a morality play in the hills of Pennsylvania.

“President Obama’s deep disdain for Pennsylvania has been a matter of record for some time. At a wine and cheese party among Nancy Pelosi’s San Francisco neighbors during the last election, Obama revealed exactly what he thinks of small town Pennsylvanians when he labeled them, ’bitter,’ and asserted that they needed to ’cling to their guns and religion,’ ” recalls Scott Wheeler, director of the National Republican Trust PAC.

“During this special election to fill the late Jack Murtha’s seat, it’s been less than surprising to see the mainstream media failing to remind Pennsylvanians just how disdainful is their president towards them, even as he has avoided traveling to the region, lest he sink Mark Critz’s campaign ship with his own ballast-filled approval rating. As a service to Western Pennsylvanians - and to encourage the excellent candidacy of Tim Burns - we thought we’d educate the voters about the real issues,” Mr. Wheeler continues.

The long-memoried Republicans have retaliated with “bitter clinger” radio spots that can be sampled here: www.nationalrepublicantrust.com.

A LITTLE SANITIZING

“There was some rich irony at the White House today. President Obama signed the Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act, and then promptly refused to take any questions,” says CBS News White House correspondent Chip Reid.

“The new law expands the State Department’s annual human rights reports to include a description of press freedoms in each country. It seemed a good opportunity to showcase press freedom in this country,” Mr. Reid observes.

Commentary Magazine’s Jennifer Rubin also was vexed by the signing ceremony to honor the slain Wall Street Journal writer for a different reason, noting, “It is ironic and shameful that President Obama could not bring himself to identify the killers who beheaded the man who fearlessly reported on the jihadist terrorists.”

And completely unrelated: Coming clean? Detailed financial disclosure statements (Bo the dog cost $1,600) for the president, as well as Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. can be seen here: www.whitehouse.gov/ blog/2010/05/17/president-vice-presidents-financial- disclosure-forms

THAT WAS QUICK

2:20 p.m. on Monday: The American Civil Liberties Union and a coalition of eight civil rights groups file a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Arizona challenging the constitutionality of the state’s “extreme” new immigration law.

3:07 p.m.: “The Arizona immigration law is a sound and constitutional approach to addressing illegal immigration. We are planning to file an amicus brief - representing concerned Americans - in support of Arizona’s defense of its law in the ACLU suit.”

(An announcement from Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice)

CLEAR TEA

Critics who contend that “tea party” events are simply opportunities for profiteers to prey upon the good nature of grass-roots support may have to hold their tongues this time. With a presidential straw poll, a conservative film festival and myriad speakers, the National Tea Party Unity Convention - scheduled for July 15 to 17 in Las Vegas - is a biggie. But it’s also going nonprofit. Organizers have formed “Free America,” a nonprofit 501c4, to transact all financial and business activities of the convention.

“This approach will allow for transparent financial reporting of the convention and overcomes any ethics objections to the attendance of sitting office holders,” Tea Party Nation founder Judson Philips tells Inside the Beltway. “The approach also allows us to separate any convention expenses and contracts from the Tea Party Nation and provides for clarity in disbursement of any funds.”

CLOUDY TEA

They know a good grass-roots resource when they see it. The Progressive Democrats of America, CodePINK, Healthcare Now and eight other liberal activist groups have cast a longing gaze upon the “tea party.” The peacenik coalition will rally in 109 congressional districts around the nation on Wednesday, protesting congressional legislation that would provide $33.5 billion for the war in Afghanistan.

“Invited to participate are tea party activists and anyone else who objects to unjustifiable government spending,” says organizer Tim Carpenter.

JUST SO YOU KNOW

As thousands of college graduates stroll toward the workplace, the nations employers must brace for a new crop of “entitlement-minded workers,” says Paul Harvey, assistant professor of management at the University of New Hampshire.

“Managers have reported a lot of problems associated with this. … Basically, entitlement involves having an inflated view of oneself, and managers are finding that younger employees are often very resistant to anything that doesnt involve praise and rewards,” he says.

It’s going to get complicated. Yes, employers must now inquire about drug use, felonies or credit problems. Now Mr. Harvey is recommending they “screen for entitlement levels.”

POLL DU JOUR

82 percent of U.S. voters are following news coverage about the Arizona immigration law.

78 percent say immigration issues will influence their vote.

69 percent believe a police officer should be able to check immigration status.

55 percent favor passage of an immigration law in their state similar to the Arizona legislation.

55 percent have some concerns that tougher immigration laws could violate civil rights of some U.S. citizens, 43 percent are not concerned.

Source: A Rasmussen Reports survey of 1,000 likely voters conducted May 14 and 15.

c Asides, murmurs, genuine ballyhoo to jharper@washington times.com.