Political Grapevine: 4/23

" And now some fresh pickings from the political grapevine. There's been another apparent public relations mishap by Homeland Security secretary -- apology on out. Today she tried to recover from an earlier statement that the 9/11 attackers came over the Canadian border which she now calls mistake -- She may have ruffled more feathers when she said quote. There are very real differences between what Canada allows in their country and who is allowed in the United States. She acknowledged that the Canadian media quote. We're not happy with me. That was made evident by -- Canadian newspaper editorial titled. The border for dummies the national post asks can someone please tell us how the -- Tonto got her job she appears to be about as knowledgeable about border issues as a late night radio call in Yahoo!. She was also asked today about Republicans who say her apology to veterans. For a report saying they were vulnerable to recruitment for domestic terrorism was not sufficient she responded. That's what they're going to get. To mark Earth Day President Obama traveled to Iowa Wednesday to visit -- plant that manufactures the towers for wind turbines. Mr. Obama touted the need for energy independence and warned. All of us will have to use energy more wisely. But a reporter with CBS calculated that the president's flights on Air Force One and marine one consumed at least 9116. Gallons of fuel. Which he could have saved by giving his Earth -- speech at the white house of course there aren't any wind turbines at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has chosen the striking roster of candidates to give his party new faces for the European Parliament elections in June. And those new faces he chose also happen to be quite beautiful. Among those picked to become politicians. To actress' former Big Brother reality show competitor. And -- miss Italy contestant. Although none has any known political experience the London times reports the ladies were given a crash course in European history and current affairs. The paper also reports that at least one of the ladies has been photographed hand in hand with Berlusconi and sitting on his -- At the time the prime minister insisted. He was being hospitable. And finally Jordan's King Abdullah the Second visited the US this week to meet with President Obama and vice president Biden at the White House. And a local newspaper reports the king also stop for launch in Wilmington Delaware he and his entourage blew in on motorcycles and went. To TGI Friday's. Restaurant manager Charles Trott said of the un inspected customer. I was like blown away because who comes to TGI -- Not putting us down but I mean -- king. That was a while feeling we have NASCAR drivers come in. But not anyone like that."