Ron Paul, Rahm Emanuel: 'Capitol Hunks'

by Mark Silva

Because, as the nay-sayers are wont to say, Washington is the Hollywood for ugly people, there may be some dubious distinction in making the list of beauties in the beastly assessment that Politico has made of "the hunks" of Washington.

How else to explain a list that includes Ron Paul, Republican Texas congressman and thorn in the side of his own party, Peter Orszag, director of the Office of Management and Budget, and Rahm Emanuel, White House chief of staff?

Beauty, as Tammy Haddad reminds us in this rather selective essay, is "the people who make things work in our town because they're able to move and motivate masses of people, which is really extraordinary.... They are powerful, dependable and completely engaged in your conversation with them, which is, in any world and any time, the most charming thing in the world."

The Politico-worthy "dreamboats'' here:

Peter Orszag, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget.

"Nothing gets the ladies here blushing like a guy talking Medicare service utilization patterns in a nasally countertenor.''

Grover Norquist, anti-tax crusader.

"He may be the man many love to hate, but this notorious anti-tax lobbyist is so engaging -- with a lightning-quick wit and overwhelming self-confidence -- that even his dissenters often find it impossible to ''

Christopher Hitchens, author and Vanity Fair columnist "

There's just something about that British accent. And few folks wield it like Washington's resident bad boy -- the chain-smoking, whiskey-drinking, God-denying, Iraq-war-supporting Hitchens. ''

Chuck Todd, NBC White House correspondent.

"Justin Timberlake may have brought sexy back, but Chuckie T brought the goatee back .''

Rahm Emanuel, White House chief of staff

"He's got the reputation of a bulldog and the mouth of a pirate -- and he's not ashamed of either, even in the proper confines of the White House. He's shorter than average, but he has an intimidating mien about him -- the West Wing version of Joe Pesci's character in "Goodfellas."

Rep. Eric Cantor, House minority whip

"A diamond in the rough who's still relatively unknown outside the conservative huddle, the Virginia Republican is more an ear than a mouthpiece at social functions, where he's rarely heard touting his own accomplishments. ''

Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas)

"He's a proud Texan doctor with a charming Southern smile, but it's his tireless defense of the Constitution that makes the ladies fawn over "Dr. No."