Election ends Repubs "boozy block party" fund-raiser

[ProSense]

On the Town

Party On, Democrats

By KATE ZERNIKE
Published: November 14, 2006

For real evidence that the party’s over, look no further than the 100 block of D Street in Washington, just behind the office buildings on the House side of the Capitol, where for several years running, four party-loving Republican members of Congress have held a boozy block party fund-raiser each spring.

To anyone willing to pay $1,000, there was a different drink at each town house.

But now, all are out.

Mark Foley (No. 137 — wine tasting) resigned in September after it was revealed he had sent sexually explicit electronic messages to teenaged male Congressional pages.

The three others lost their races last week: Nancy L. Johnson of Connecticut (No. 129 — martinis); E. Clay Shaw Jr. of Florida (No. 131 — bourbon); and Chris Chocola of Indiana (No. 135 — margaritas). A fifth, Jim Ryun of Kansas, who served coffee and dessert at No. 132, also lost.

So far, local real estate agents say the only house on the market on that block is number No. 123, owned by Porter J. Goss, the former Florida congressman who resigned as C.I.A. director in May.

Then there is No. 127, the frat, er, town house that is home to four fun-loving guys from the other side: Representatives George Miller of California and Bill Delahunt of Massachusetts, and Senators Charles E. Schumer of New York and Richard J. Durbin of Illinois.

Their party, of course, is just beginning.

[KingFlorez]

1. LOL