I am reporting live from the Commonwealth Park Suites- Room 401. I've already launched 2 investigations towards Corrupt Room 204, but the door is shut. However, the cigar smoke is so heavy I can smell it in the hall. More coming later.
UPDATE: I think I was being watched through the peephole because it got very quiet without the cigar smell after I went back to my room for a few minutes. Looks like they totally emptied out.
Don't think this is the last time you will be under the microscope Room 204.
UPDATE #2- The only room in the hotel I can see with three newspapers (Richmond Times-Dispatch, USA Today, and Financial Times) outside the door- Room 204.
Dear god! You lost your virginity???
Posted by: | February 27, 2008 at 04:52 PM
a baby on the way?
Posted by: | February 27, 2008 at 05:03 PM
You're going to have the surgery?
Posted by: dems4dems | February 27, 2008 at 05:15 PM
Jennison and Connolly are secret lovers, but there's strain?
Yea, that's what they are. But they can't let go...because what they feel...is all so real...
...Until James came along...
Posted by: Idiot | February 27, 2008 at 05:24 PM
You pee sitting down!?
Posted by: | February 27, 2008 at 05:49 PM
YOUR GOING TO LINK TO MY STORY ABOUT VA HOUSE DEMOCRATS SUPPORTING GENOCIDE?
Posted by: PWConservative | February 27, 2008 at 06:06 PM
Hillary quitting campaign, leaving Bill?
Posted by: | February 27, 2008 at 06:27 PM
obama endorsement?
Posted by: | February 27, 2008 at 06:33 PM
Is it that you have been mocking Hillary this whole time?
I KNEW IT!!!!!!
Posted by: phriendlyjaime | February 27, 2008 at 06:37 PM
There was a little birdie who informed me that an Obama endorsement is on its way!
Posted by: Crystal Clear Conservative | February 27, 2008 at 06:49 PM
you've decided to abandon Hillary in her time of need?
Posted by: PWConservative | February 27, 2008 at 07:14 PM
its night already
Posted by: PWConservative | February 27, 2008 at 07:15 PM
your supporting nader?
Posted by: PWConservative | February 27, 2008 at 07:16 PM
You're moving out of the basement?
Posted by: | February 27, 2008 at 07:22 PM
Thinking of changing your endorsement? Just want to remind you of your words earlier this month: "I will continue to be a Hillary supporter until she officially drops out"
I come here because you are standing tall on this one. Don't cave in.
Posted by: | February 27, 2008 at 07:29 PM
You finally found a laxative that works?
Posted by: FrankenFurter | February 27, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Christ, Ben, stop being such a tease and PUT OUT already.
Posted by: | February 27, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Oh....I cannot take the suspense...
Posted by: Bwana | February 27, 2008 at 07:55 PM
Ben, ignore anon. 07:29. It is time to unite behind Senator Obama and defeat the Republicans in November. That's what good Democrats do when a tough fight for a nomination is over. And this one is clearly over.
Having been on both the winning and losing side of these things, I understand it isn't easy. The stakes are high though. It is important and it is time. Come on over. And welcome.
Posted by: Dan | February 27, 2008 at 08:08 PM
It is time to unite behind Senator Clinton and defeat the Republicans in November. That's what good Democrats do when a tough fight for a nomination is over. And after Tuesday it will be close to over.
Having been on both the winning and losing side of these things, I understand it isn't easy. The stakes are high though. It is important and it is time. Come on over Obama folks. And welcome.
Posted by: Demo | February 27, 2008 at 08:14 PM
Demo,
Dammit-- you beat me too it!
Posted by: | February 27, 2008 at 08:17 PM
Dan,
Thanks for letting us read you jerking off.
Posted by: Idiot | February 27, 2008 at 08:20 PM
My house has many rooms, my son.
Posted by: Not Senator Obama | February 27, 2008 at 08:28 PM
Clearly this is an Obama endorsement..Duh!
Posted by: Not Huey Long | February 27, 2008 at 08:30 PM
After Obama wins both Texas and Ohio on Tuesday will you die hards finally admit the obvious. And after losing eleven straight contests by crushing margins it is indeed obvious.
I notice that the Clinton campaign is now spinning the firewall out to include Pennsylvania. The geniuses running her campaign didn't even bother to file full slates of delegates throughout the state.
Posted by: Dan | February 27, 2008 at 08:36 PM
You're quitting your blog? Probably not, but I can dare to dream!
Posted by: Dan Kachur | February 27, 2008 at 08:47 PM
Ben has been very tolerant of me in the past, so I will skip all the low-hanging fruit here. My only observation is that it is now 9pm and we don't have his announcement. I'm getting impatient....
Posted by: Interested Observer | February 27, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Yeah, well if we don't get it soon, I'm going to sleep. There's only so much excitement we older folks can take in one day and I think I've already had my share :)
Posted by: Anonymous Is A Woman | February 27, 2008 at 09:23 PM
You've become a Republican?
Posted by: Not Dick Saslaw | February 27, 2008 at 09:30 PM
Coming soon!!!!
Posted by: Not Larry Sabato | February 27, 2008 at 09:32 PM
Is soon > 10 minutes?
Posted by: | February 27, 2008 at 09:42 PM
Obviously not.
Posted by: Dan Kachur | February 27, 2008 at 09:54 PM
Sorry, anon 9:42. I forgot math for a second.
Obviously.
Posted by: Dan Kachur | February 27, 2008 at 09:55 PM
Sorry, anon 9:42. I forgot math for a second.
Obviously.
Posted by: Dan Kachur | February 27, 2008 at 09:57 PM
Sorry, anon 9:42. I forgot math for a second.
Obviously.
Posted by: Dan Kachur | February 27, 2008 at 09:57 PM
Browser hiccup. Sorry.
Posted by: Dan Kachur | February 27, 2008 at 09:57 PM
you are f'ing kidding me. we waited for that??
Posted by: | February 27, 2008 at 09:58 PM
you are f'ing kidding me. we waited for that??
Posted by: | February 27, 2008 at 09:59 PM
go ben!!!
Posted by: | February 27, 2008 at 10:00 PM
http://pwconservative.blogspot.com/2008/02/hillarys-best-speech-yet.html
Posted by: PWConservative | February 27, 2008 at 10:00 PM
i think your blog broke
Posted by: Dan Kachur | February 27, 2008 at 10:00 PM
NLS, the cigar stalker. LOL
Posted by: Not Dick Saslaw | February 27, 2008 at 10:01 PM
WOW, THIS IS AS HUGE AS LAWMAKERS SUPPORTING GENOCIDE
Oh wait, Its not
Posted by: PWConservative | February 27, 2008 at 10:10 PM
You should pretend you're from Dominion. Act like you belong. What can you lose?
Posted by: Ben | February 27, 2008 at 10:14 PM
maybe you shouldn't have posted that... you may have given away your cover
Posted by: | February 27, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Is Tom Davis in there threatening US Postal workers?
Posted by: Interested Observer | February 27, 2008 at 10:17 PM
I got it - it's a game of CLUE!
Ben
With the candlestick
In Corrupt Room 204!
Is Mrs. Peacock there too?
Posted by: | February 27, 2008 at 10:30 PM
So is there going to be a party in room 401 later tonight?
Posted by: Bryan J. Scrafford | February 27, 2008 at 10:40 PM
so what exactly is going on in this room?
Posted by: PWConservative | February 27, 2008 at 10:42 PM
is it an orgy pit?
Posted by: PWConservative | February 27, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Haha wait, how is the smoke coming two floors up?? I think that's called a FIRE not cigar smoke
Posted by: | February 27, 2008 at 10:46 PM
This is great. This is why I rea this blog. Serious. Love it!
Posted by: I Heart Howard Beale | February 27, 2008 at 10:53 PM
The room is next to the exersize room, so I have monitored from the bike!!
Posted by: Not Larry Sabato | February 27, 2008 at 10:58 PM
its open this late?
Posted by: PWConservative | February 27, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Oh my God, this is hilarious.... Go Ben!
Posted by: Sam | February 27, 2008 at 11:25 PM
You should pass them notes under the door.
"Will you let me in? Circle Yes, No or Maybe"
"Are there fist dildos (dildi?, dildoes?)involved in there?"
Posted by: Not in Virginia Anymore. | February 27, 2008 at 11:41 PM
Ben:
You should knock and ask if you can have a cigar, too.
Posted by: | February 27, 2008 at 11:50 PM
Bang on the door saying "security!"
When they open, say that the Speaker and his Boy Clarke are being too loud. If they keep it up, you are going to have them thrown out and the lobbyist footing the bill will not get a refund.
Posted by: | February 27, 2008 at 11:54 PM
Or you could bang on the door and say "Domino's!"
Posted by: | February 27, 2008 at 11:55 PM
Are you and Mrs. Peacock fooling around? Is that why this is taking so long. Take your ride after your report to us!
Posted by: | February 27, 2008 at 11:56 PM
what is mrs PeaCock doing with that cigar?...
ahhh Mrs PeaCock...
now what a tasty smoke, if I can get the damn thing lit
Posted by: | February 28, 2008 at 12:34 AM
I just want to make one thing perfectly clear...
I did not have sexual relations with that woman... Mrs. PeaCock.
Posted by: | February 28, 2008 at 12:35 AM
crawl out the window and down the balconies....
Posted by: | February 28, 2008 at 12:41 AM
It is most disconcerting, during this holy time of Lent, to learn of the debaucheries of Room 204.
Posted by: t | February 28, 2008 at 02:17 AM
We haven't heard anything from him in a while... maybe he got whacked.
Posted by: Ben | February 28, 2008 at 05:38 AM
Ben -
You obviously have a lot of time on your hands. You must be single!
Given you concerns about ethics, you ARE going to disclose to VPAP the source of YOUR financial support aren't you? The public has a right to know.... who's paying for YOUR room??
Posted by: BigDog | February 28, 2008 at 06:23 AM
Ben, this is all quite amusing, but regarding your post of 2258 I shudder to think what is going on in the "exersize" room.
Posted by: Bwana | February 28, 2008 at 06:40 AM
Ben wasn't with Mrs. Peacock or Col. Mustard. He was with "Private Twinkie."
This would be the perfect opportunity for a posting from "Dem Legislator in search of a clue."
Posted by: | February 28, 2008 at 08:12 AM
That makes sense. The USA Today is for Hogan since he cannot handle anything heavier. The RTD was for the others who use the reom. Based on some of the stuff they hve done, it is clear the Financial Times was simply delivered to the wrong room.
Posted by: | February 28, 2008 at 08:41 AM
You know, if there was nothing wrong with Clarke and his buddies hanging out in their He-Man Women Hater's Clubhouse, the smart play would have been to invite you in if they knew you were there.
The stupidest move you can make is to act like you are doing something wrong if, in fact, you are NOT actually doing anything wrong. Well perhaps the only thing dumber that that is Clarke thinking he could actually help Jankowski sneak $5 mil to Honeywell.
Posted by: | February 28, 2008 at 08:45 AM
Dude....are you mad that they won't let you in or are you mad that they're smoking?
Do you know which party started all this stuff?...I can tell you don't. I guess you've never been to Del. Vic Thomas' poker game in the Holiday Inn.
Also, I wouldn't try to get into the basement of the Commonwealth Club if I were you....they'll bounce you out onto Franklin Street.
There are probably 10 more of these kinds of "illegal" gatherings you can't get invited to.
Posted by: | February 28, 2008 at 09:07 AM
Ben, I knocked on your door an hour ago and you didn't answer. I can confirm the newspapers in front of Room 204.
Posted by: NLSgroupie | February 28, 2008 at 09:47 AM
Go on in, Ben, maybe they'll show you the "Monica Treatment."
Posted by: | February 28, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Groupie, I was in the shower. Now I am over in House Room 2 for Bloggers Day.
Posted by: Not Larry Sabato | February 28, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Be sure to ask any legislators if they party in 204!
Posted by: | February 28, 2008 at 10:30 AM
I thought you had a job now...
I wonder if my boss will give me hours off to go hang out in a hotel in richmond...
Posted by: Alex P Keaton | February 28, 2008 at 10:32 AM
The obvious solution was to get a camera, pull the fire alarm, and record whoever came out. Sheesh, do I have to do everything?
Posted by: Timothy Watson | February 28, 2008 at 11:05 AM
You should check Gail Parker's shin-dig in room 420.
Posted by: | February 28, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Someone explain to me how delegates smoking cigars in a lobbyist-provided hotel room is "corrupt."
Every night of the session, a different firm, interest group or trade association provides some sort of alcohol, food and tobacco-related shindig.
Posted by: | February 28, 2008 at 01:29 PM
Knock on the door and tell them you have a candy-gram for the speaker. When they open the door they will see you in a shark costume and you holding a tape recorder playing the theme to "Jaws."
Then EAT THEM!!
Posted by: PhaedrusMack | February 28, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Maybe it’s a serious poker game going on with some big money…Or the cigars could be a cover for the smell of shit from the speaker when he looses the majority in 2009!
Posted by: | February 28, 2008 at 09:55 PM
Let's see if his caucus gets a clue to his utter incompetence and rises up to dump him before '09.
Doing so would be an act of serf-preservation that his sorely lacking in the House GOP.
Posted by: | February 28, 2008 at 11:19 PM