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Political Circus: McCain vs. Seacrest

By Ed Hornick, CNN
Meghan McCain recently criticized President Obama for going on Ryan Seacrest's radio show.
Meghan McCain recently criticized President Obama for going on Ryan Seacrest's radio show.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Delaware Senate rivals bury the hatchet -- literally
  • Will New York governor-elect Andrew Cuomo's girlfriend become first lady?
  • Secretary of State Hillary Clinton shares a rather unique greeting in New Zealand
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Washington (CNN) -- Politics is serious business -- but not all of the time. From the halls of Congress to the campaign trail, there's always something that gets a laugh. Here are some of the things you might have missed.

Fightin' words

Radio host/jack-of-all-trades Ryan Seacrest lashed out on his website at Meghan McCain after she criticized President Obama's decision to appear on Seacrest's show before Tuesday's election.

Seacrest fought back on his nationally syndicated radio show. "She thinks ["On Air with Ryan Seacrest"] is just lowbrow," he said. "I just want to be clear -- it is the lowbrow show she wanted to be on twice to come promote her stuff."

As he says on "American Idol" -- Seacrest out.

Like a scene from 'Gone with the Wind'

From Friday's White House pool report from political website The Daily Caller: "At 9:48 POTUS and FLOTUS exited the south Portico and boarded Marine One. POTUS wore no coat over his suit, but FLOTUS wore a fashionable tan or light brown coat. POTUS put his hand on FLOTUS' back as they walked and looked over at her, appearing to say something. And with that, the first couple was off for southeast Asia." (The abbreviations stand for "president of the United States" and "first lady of the United States.")

Watch where you put that hatchet

Former Delaware Senate rivals Chris Coons and Christine O'Donnell took part Thursday in a time-honored tradition in the state by burying the hatchet -- literally, The Delaware News Journal reports.

Time to make the coffee

The New York Daily News reports on former President George W. Bush's daily ritual since leaving the White House, saying his "internal alarm clock" makes him wake up before 5 a.m. And he's taken on a more domestic role by making coffee for his wife, Laura. When outside, it's all adventure: "He hits dirt-bike trails around Dallas regularly."

First chef of New York?

New York governor-elect Andrew Cuomo's girlfriend -- cooking sensation Sandra Lee -- won't be taking on the title of first lady or any official duties, the Daily News reports. Cuomo's staff says Lee "would never expect any taxpayer dollar to support the contributions she makes nor would she want to burden the state in any way."

Notable quotable

"Tuesday night, voters completely rejected the efforts of a charismatic African-American. ... Rick Fox is off 'Dancing with the Stars.'" -- NBC's Jay Leno

The picture you need to see

From Getty Images: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton receives a Hongi (Maori greeting) during a welcome ceremony at New Zealand's Parliament on Thursday.

Headline of the day

From Reuters:"Putin to Bush: My dog bigger than yours"

Late-night laughs

David Letterman: "[Sarah Palin] says she wants limited government. ... Does she mean fewer elected officials? Or few elected officials who will resign in the middle of their term? I think limited government will be perfect for her limited abilities."

Jon Stewart mocking the White House press corps: "Uh, Mr. President, Tom Patterson, UPI. Do you suck? Quick follow-up: do you suck so bad you don't even know how sucky you are? I would like your answer in the form of 'you suck.'"

Jimmy Fallon: "In his new book, George W. Bush says he considered dropping Dick Cheney from the 2004 ticket because he wanted to demonstrate he was in charge -- not Cheney. But then Cheney nixed the idea, so it went back to normal. He didn't do it."