Inside the Beltway

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By John McCaslin

Political gimmicks

Between now and midnight Monday, anybody who makes a contribution to Sen. John McCain's White House bid qualifies to ride for an entire day with the Republican candidate aboard his campaign bus the Straight Talk Express.

"You will be entered to ride the bus with me by making a donation of any amount," Mr. McCain offers.

Not to be outraised, presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama is promising a car magnet, of all gadgets, to supporters who send him at least $15 by Monday night.

Food for thought

That would be the lead singer of the Smithereens, Pat DiNizio, providing entertainment in the courtyard of the House Rayburn Office Building on Capitol Hill Thursday evening.

Hosting a barbecue with chicken (price up about 6 cents per pound), pork (up 2 percent) and beer (there's always Milwaukee's Best), FoodPriceTruth.org argues that the rising price of oil is what's taking a bite out of America's grocery budget.

Worse yet, the group says "major food companies like Kraft, Kellogg and General Mills are profiting from the recent hike in food prices, at your expense."

Perhaps the best news: the food, beer and entertainment, on Capitol Hill at least, are all free.

Don't sweat it