The Beltway Ballyhoo

The week began with solemn vows on C-SPAN 2, A subcommittee meeting for me and for you. A bill was read, a point was made with great bombastic flair, While half the room was scrolling phones without a single care. A talking head on cable news proclaimed the world would end, Based on a quote from someone's aide's imaginary friend. Oh, what a number! What a show! Did we rehearse this? We don't know!

We're singing from a script that feels completely improvised! With plot twists even we could not have possibly devised! The lights are bright, the orchestra swells with majesty, For this week's unbelievable political tragedy-slash-comedy! A hearing started, tempers flared, the gavel slammed in vain, Someone yelled about the budget in the pouring rain. A press release was issued, full of fire and of sound, Then quietly retracted when new polling came around.

A gaffe went viral, then a spin, a dance of pure distraction, We're meant to play this straight, but what is our honest reaction? Oh, what a number! What a show! Did we rehearse this? We don't know! We're singing from a script that feels completely improvised! With plot twists even we could not have possibly devised! The lights are bright, the orchestra swells with majesty, For this week's unbelievable political tragedy-slash-comedy!

Is there a writer? Is there a plan? This can't be how the story ran! It feels like scenes all taped together, Through stormy, then dramatic weather! The stage directions just say 'Fret!' This is the craziest script yet! So let's build the set! Oh, what a number! What a show! (WHAT A SHOW!) Did we rehearse this? We don't know! (WE DON'T KNOW!)

We're singing from a script that feels completely improvised! With plot twists even we could not have possibly devised! The lights are bright, the orchestra swells with majesty, For this week's unbelievable political tragedy-slash-comedy!