Mark Penn, again knee-high in controversy… [not it] News that Hillary Clinton’s chief strategist, Mark Penn, took a meeting with Columbian officials to talk about ways to advance a free trade deal is at once not surprising, given Penn’s refusal to step down from his position as CEO of Burson-Marsteller. …

Rep. John Boehner has to wear shades. [find out why]

New Kids on the Block reunite [pushing 40] WSJ to dominate Capitol Hill [fishbowlDC] This is why you lost [Aggies] Perez Hilton at the WH Correspondents’ Dinner [Yeas and Nays] Senate reaches compromise on Housing bill [floor tomorrow]

UPDATE: We were duped, notice the date of the post.  Nicely done, Act Blue, nicely done.  Act Blue has apparently given up on America and the American dollar. [dollar gets rolled]. “Noting this trend, we turned a discerning eye on monetary units and realized that by converting your dollars into euros, we …

Capitol Hill staffers aren’t voted into office -nor should they be treated like elected politicians. Most move to Washington because they are true public servants, who actually enjoy the legislative process.  It’s also no mystery that these Capitol Hill staffers make much less than their private sector counterparts. But that hasn’t stopped …

Happy Birthday to…. Politico’s Jonathan Martin Hot Air’s Captain Ed

Give a political operative a blog and rarely do they articulate a message digestible to political newcomers who reside outside the beltway – until now. Stuart Roy, [important guy at important company] is the latest political wonk to try his hand at blogging – and if I do say so myself – …

Taking metal detectors too far [Is that in Longworth?] Ever wondered why reporters are so grouchy? [Angry Journalist] Our message is freedom of speech and freedom of religion [pastafarians] Dinner in the sky [wow] Nationals Open House [Friday and Saturday]

Politico introduces THE HUDDLE From the inaugural edition (Tuesday): Welcome to the first edition of THE HUDDLE – a BlackBerry-friendly, early-morning timesaver distilling what Hulse and David Rogers have filed, what Daly and Stewie are cooking up, and what Roll Call and Politico are breaking. Also today, Politico is launching …

Redskins owner, Dan Synder, known for his outstanding patience and primo coach-picking ability, is telling the media he’s a matured adult. [no really, he is] Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder says, however, that despite the seemingly radical departures from past practices, he hasn’t really changed, only matured. Matured men apparently …

Suite Talk Joann Donnellan leaves WH to start JD Media Vance Taylor (Homeland Security) to Olive, Edwards & Cooper Comcast promotes Kerry Knott and Joseph Waz, Jr. Annette Puente joins Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz

Why IT hates the iPhone [apples and oranges] NFL counter-programs McCain [JoMa] NRCC debt ($18M) paid in full [damn] Pentagon staffer guilty of handing secrets to China agent [public hanging?] Arenas: Show me the pay cut! [STAY IN DC] Want to work for the Washington Wizards? [Potomac Flacks] Afternoon Read …

Here’s summary of some of the April Fools’ shenanigans going on via the internet machine. Mike Allen’s Playbook Good Tuesday morning. John McCain is expected to announce today that he has selected Condoleezza Rice as his running mate, sources say. If that got you awake, then it’s not too early …