Inside the Beltway

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By John McCaslin

EXPLAIN THIS ONE

Peggy Cusack, chief of staff of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, wrote a rather intriguing e-mail to her staff Tuesday summing up day one of the Denver proceedings, which included speeches by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and Michelle Obama.

"Great job guys! One down, three to go!" she begins, then makes these points, among others:

"1. Morning coordination meeting, we probably don't need one today, unless anyone thinks we still might have outstanding convention issues that haven't been addressed yet?

"2. I think that congressional staffer made a career move when she 'lost' her boss's parking pass.

"3. I just spit coffee.

"4. Who do you want to bet cries first?

"5. No, sir, we actually do not provide food for protesters.

"6. Does anyone know where Mark Squier is? I just found his USSS ID — in the women's restroom."

A convention producer, Mr. Squier is a media consultant and strategic adviser to numerous Democratic candidates, having co-founded Squier/Eskew Communications in 1991. A filmmaker, he produced the Emmy and Academy Award-winning film "The Blue Men."