Odds/Ends: Catching Up With Mary Carmichael & Gary Condit

'Odds/Ends' is our least popular regular feature. I mix in random facts with housekeeping announcements and updates on current and former _flossers. Enjoy!

I know many of you have been clamoring for a "Where Is He Now? Gary Condit" article. Tucked away in the last paragraph of a New York Times story this weekend was the answer:

"After losing the primary election in 2002 to a former aide, Mr. Condit moved to Arizona. In 2005, he set up an ice cream franchise for Baskin-Robbins and sued several journalists over their coverage of the case."
*

My predecessor and fellow Duke '01 alum Mary Carmichael has gone on to bigger and better things at Newsweek, including writing last week's cover story: "Stress Could Save Your Life (Or At Least It's Better For You Than You Think)." Speaking of bigger and better, she's also very pregnant. Congrats all around, Mary!

*
Last night the Republicans sent out Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal to respond to President Obama's address. According to Senate.gov, here are some of the other politicians who gave the opposing party's response to major speeches to Congress, in case you were wondering (OK, I know you weren't wondering):

In 1966, Senator Everett Dirksen (R-IL) and Rep. Gerald Ford (R-MI) offered a reaction to President Johnson's State of the Union Message, the first organized and televised response to the annual message. Many years, a prerecorded television program created by the opposing party would appear after the President's speech.

The response to President Clinton included speeches by New Jersey Governor Christie Todd Whitman (R, 1995), Senator Bob Dole (R-KS, 1994 & 1996), Rep. J.C. Watts (R-OK, 1997) and Senator Trent Lott (R-MS, 1998). Former Seattle Seahawk & member of Congress Steve Largent (R-OK, pictured) gave a joint response with Rep. Jennifer Dunn (R-WA) in 1999.

Responding to Bush were a number of Democrats, including Rep. Dick Gebhardt (D-MO, 2002), Virginia Governor Tim Kaine (D, 2006), Senator Jim Webb (D-VA, 2007) and Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D, 2008). Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) did the honors in 2004, while Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) joined Pelosi in 2005.
*
I'll end with a random video. Via TVTattle, Phil Hartman's 1986 audition for Saturday Night Live:

This concludes the afternoon announcements. Thanks and have a great day!