And now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine...
On Heat
Colorado Democratic State Representative Joe Salazar is taking heat for telling women they do not need to pack it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STATE REP. JOE SALAZAR, D – CO: It's why we have call boxes. It's why we have safe zones. That's why we have the whistles, because you just don't know who you're going to be shooting at. And you don't know if you feel like you're going to be raped, or if you feel like someone's been following you around or if you feel like you're in trouble and when you may actually not be, that you pop out that gun and you pop -- pop a round at somebody.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
One blogger said this is the real war on women.
Quote -- "I've talked about the progressive insistence that women disarm. Women, according to Rep. Salazar, are hysterical things which shoot indiscriminately at any and every thing."
Salazar issued a statement today, saying he was sorry if he offended anyone. The Colorado House GOP is still not satisfied with that apology.
Shut It Down
Two businesses President Obama visited have closed in recent days.
He went to Ray's Hell Burger outside D.C. three years ago with Russian President Medvedev. It has since closed due to a landlord-tenant dispute.
And the Weekly Standard reports Dubuque, Iowa's Star Brewery -- which the president patronized in August -- now has a sign on its door reading "permanently closed."
Ski Bunny
Finally, New Hampshire's House is voting this week whether lawmakers should get free ski passes for Cannon Mountain.
A local TV station reports, opponents say using the perk a half-dozen times would be worth four times the lawmakers' salaries.
Supporters argue lawmakers should have open access to state parks which promotes awareness of the locations.
The majority of the Legislative Action Committee has recommended killing the bill.
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