A Last Laugh at 2011

Since its beginnings at a Senate office Christmas party in 1981, The Capitol Steps has produced political satire that even makes lampooned politicians laugh at themselves. The group's 2011 wrap-up is no exception, drawing on a cornucopia of gaffes and ludicrous moments in an otherwise forgettable year.

The musical troupe satirizes Herman Cain's womanizing to the tune of Love Potion No. 9 and spoofs Congress (the opposite of progress) in a take-off of the Mary Poppins' favorite, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. A hilarious reprise of Bob Dole's character returns as the more experienced running mate for John McCain's late-arriving 2012 presidential bid.

Hardly anyone gets a pass in this hour-long special, not even the female U.S. Supreme Court justices, who, while waiting in line at the high court's one-hole women's restroom, coo about their secret lust for fellow justice and conservative hunk Antonin Scalia.

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First District Race a Yawner

Oregon's First Congressional District special election next month has failed to capture national attention as expected. In fact, former Congressman David Wu has attracted more press notice by showing up on Capitol Hill to attend congressional hearings.

Wu's resignation this fall amid a sex scandal involving an under-age woman, which Wu continues to deny, seemingly set the stage for national political theater, akin to what happened in the wake of New York Congressman Andrew Weiner's resignation following a sexting scandal. But it hasn't happened here, at least so far.

To be sure, some national campaign money has flowed in for ads for and against Democrat Suzanne Bonamici and Republican Rob Cornilles. But neither has been hounded by a horde of reporters from national media. Both are running generally positive ads about themselves and the values they offer. The race as a result has been rather ho-hum.

One leading public opinion poll suggests Bonamici is leading Cornilles by a 52-41 margin, which could account for the lack of interest. If Cornilles was leading, the race would be touted by GOP leaders as a further sign of voter rejection of President Obama and Congressional Democrats. Fox News would be all over the story.

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