Washington is all ablaze with gossip today about the potential impact of the "DC Madam," whose high-end escort service evidently kept many well-known Washingtonians entertained. Alleged madam Deborah Palfrey turned over her phone records to ABC News, which plans to air a special report on the revelations later this week.

One high-level Bush administration figure has already resigned and many are waiting for more shoes (and names) to drop this week as ABC News continues its investigation. 

But one thing that's missing in all the coverage is just how common these set-ups are in Washington, which like any major city has a trove of escort services and less-than-legitimate massage parlors. In a Fall 2005 article, the Washingtonian's Chris Vogel investigated the "X-rated Washington" and found that more than 130 escort services openly advertise in the Yellow Pages and that at least eight massage parlors exist within 10 blocks of the White House.

Randall Tobias, the former State Department official who resigned on Friday, is just the latest Washington figure to be embarrassed by run-ins with an escort service. In 2002, Democratic strategist Bob Beckel ended up going to the police when he found himself being blackmailed after having an escort come to his house.

Could Palfrey's service just be the tip of the iceberg?

In politics, one of the most damaging aspects of a campaign can be a negative “meta-narrative” that continually roars back up to undermine a candidate. Howard Dean being “angry” was one, as was John Kerry being a flip-flopper. Today’s edition of “8 on ’08” examines eight such meta-narratives, both good and bad, at play this week in the presidential campaign.

1) John McCain is battling a meta-narrative that his campaign is stumbling, based on the ongoing complications in Iraq, his weak first fundraising quarter, and a lackluster response to his campaign from Republican voters. He took four major steps this week to combat that: He officially “announced” his presidential bid, appeared on The Daily Show, reshuffled some finance staff, and made a major speech on energy issues. At the end of the week, the campaign appears to have some of its momentum back, but not nearly as much as it should have. As Jon Stewart cautioned McCain, this isn’t the preseason. These games count. Whether McCain can overcome the stumbles of recent weeks is still an open question—there’s plenty of time in the race ahead—but there’s much more disarray in the GOP field than there has been in decades.

2) The Democratic presidential field met for the first time last night in a South Carolina debate notable for its relative calm. It’s too early in the race for real knock-down, drag-out fights, so the top-tier candidates played it relatively safe. Barack Obama faced a tough night as “they”—meaning the average voter as imagined by the press—questioned whether he has the substance to back up his style. By most accounts, he passed the test last night, but it’ll be an ongoing question for the rest of the spring.

3) John Edwards appears to be struggling with a growing meta-narrative that the “working man’s candidate” (itself a meta-narrative) is actually a rich, out-of-touch elitist. First there were the $400 haircuts, and now there’s a Washington Post story about his close (and lucrative) relationship with hedge funds. If Edwards is to run the campaign he appears to want to run, he’ll have to bury this meta-narrative quickly.

4) Joe Biden and Chris Dodd, two of the most experienced statesmen in the country, are both battling meta-narratives that they’re not candidates to be taken seriously. Along with Bill Richardson, who arguably is in a stronger position, they make up the “second tier” of the Democratic field. Stages like the debate last night give them all a much-needed opportunity to stand with Edwards, Obama, and Clinton. None of them burst forth last night; Biden had perhaps the strongest night of the three, but then he needed it the worst. His verbal slips have been a constant concern on the trail.

At Monday's White House celebration of the Indianapolis Colts’ NFL title, President Bush and Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning looked like the best of friends—with good reason.

Federal Election Commission records show that Manning gave $2,000, the maximum allowed donation, to Bush’s re-election campaign in 2004. The former University of Tennessee star also gave $4,200 to Bob Corker to help him win his Senate seat from the Volunteer State in November.

What: The 15th Annual Stage Benefit

When: Monday, April 23, 2007, 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Where: The Mandarin Oriental on the Southwest Waterfront

Who: Good-natured local notables willing to embarrass themselves for a good cause, including Sheila Johnson, Jesse Jackson, Jr., Eleanor Holmes Norton, Joe Lieberman, Mark Plotkin, Bob Schieffer, Andrea Roane, Jack Evans, Tommy Wells, and David Broder.

Food: An ambitious dinner of duck with bok choi, followed by a gooey and difficult-to-eat "s'more" dessert.

Drink: Gallo Sonoma Reserve wine.

Scene: The benefit's centerpiece was the one-act play "Camp Wannabeapolitiki," where a half-dozen congressmen, one senator, local media celebrities, and local politicians teamed up to raise money for the Arena Stage's community engagement programs. The skit, which tested the embarrassment quotient of the audience, featured the script-reading celebs acting out a play about saving a summer camp.

The evening's best fashion statement was made by Judge William T. Newman, the chief judge for Arlington circuit court and husband of billionaire BET founder Sheila Johnson, who onstage wore his yellow Camp Wannabeapolitiki t-shirt over his two-tone french cuff dress shirt.

A very vocal Mark Plotkin kept chattering and ad libbing away, heckling in good fun, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton. When Norton was presented with an award early in the evening, he yelled from his table, "She should have a vote." Then, on stage, he declared "Throw them in the pool—especially Eleanor Holmes Norton." Standing nearby, she shot back, "That wasn't in the script!" Plotkin replied, "I know," and the show moved on.

Lieberman made several comments about his come-from-behind victory in last year's senate race, including one declaration: "Take it from me: It ain't over till it's over!"

Congressman Paul Hodes, a freshman Democrat from New Hampshire, would have won the night's most passionate actor award because, although his acting talent left something to be desired, he threw his heart into the performance—singing, dancing, and aping for the crowd. Although it's an open question whether his Granite State constituents would have been "proud," he certainly had put in effort learning the script.

Top Five Most Embarassing Moments of the Evening:

1) Jesse Jackson Jr. performing tae kwon do in pleated khakis
2) Joe Lieberman parading around stage wearing a leather jacket with his t-shirt tucked into his stone-washed jeans.
3) Mark Plotkin declaring, "I'm not sure I'm ready for Harriet Miers in the wet t-shirt contest."
4) Nina Totenberg interrupting, to pundit Charlie Cook, when she lost her place in the script, "Where the hell are we, Charlie?"
5) Jack Evans' fake audition for the camp's version of "American Idol."

Ratings:
Bold Face Names: 3 (out of 5)
Swankiness: 3 (out of 5)
Food/Drink: 3 (out of 5)
Exclusivity: 3 (out of 5)

Total Score: 12 (out of 20)

More photos, including Lieberman as "the Fonz," and the s'more dessert, below.  

What: Brunch hosted by John McLaughlin

Where: The rooftop of the Hay-Adams, overlooking the White House and monuments beyond.

When: Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Who: Washington's older socialite set, and primarily people who didn't stay up all night partying.

Food: A tasty buffet spread heavy on muffins, danishes, and other carbs perfect for a morning-after meal.

Drink: Mimosas and champagne.

Scene: The final event of the three-day long weekend drew a crowd of over a hundred to the rooftop and its glorious and inspiring view. The host himself rolled in about an hour late to mingle with folks ranging from Desperate Housewives' James Denton to Morgan Fairchild to AOL founder James Kimsey (who did spend a late night out among the parties), columnist Margaret Carlson, Fox's stylish Chris Wallace, and even MSNBC's Tammy Haddad, who like the Energizer Bunny still somehow had a reserve of energy at the end of the weekend's lengthy festivities.

Ratings:
Bold Face Names: 3 (out of 5)
Swankiness: 3 (out of 5)
Food/Drink: 3 (out of 5)
Exclusivity: 4 (out of 5)

Total Score: 13 (out of 20)

More photos below. 

What: Bloomberg's After-Party

Where: The Costa Rican embassy in Kalorama.

When: Late night, April 21st.

Who: Everyone who is anyone (and a few sneaky interlopers who weren't anyone).

Food: Lots of snacks.

Drink: Numerous bars, fancy drinks, and a bathtub filled with mini-bottles of champagne.

Scene: This event, year after year, is one of Washington's few truly A-List events, combining Bloomberg's deep pockets with a truly hard-to-get invite. The line to get in stretched down the block, while limos, town cars, and motorcades with lights flashing continually pulled up to disgorge bold face guests. Guests had to show photo ID to get in, and rumors swept the crowd that even Matthew Cooper and Mandy Grunwald had been turned away. With security details in tow, Michael Chertoff and Paul Wolfowitz wandered through, the latter walking from the nearby Washington Hilton along a path lit by Bloomberg logos and baton-holding black-clad ushers. Hollywood and sports stars mingled with beat reporters and famous-for-DC celebs.  Arianna Huffington skipped the event only because David Geffen promised her a bed on his private jet back to LA from Dulles.

While the rooms inside were packed (a bit too packed actually) and a bit harshly lit as the massive lighting cycled through its color wheel of blues, pinks, and whites, everyone inside was just glad to be there. Outside a gaggle of New York Times executives, including managing editor Jill Abramson and Rick Berke, the assistant managing editor, cooled their heels while top political writer Adam Nagourney furiously worked his Blackberry to get them in. As their wait stretched past an hour, one of the Times-men joked, "Doesn't Mayor Bloomberg have a big speech tomorrow? Not gonna be in the New York Times!"

Gift Bag: An odd assortment of a light bulb, playing cards, and boutique chocolates from Burdick's in Boston. Oh, plus slippers.

Ratings:
Bold Face Names: 4 (out of 5)
Swankiness: 5 (out of 5)
Food/Drink: 4 (out of 5)
Exclusivity: 5 (out of 5)

Total Score: 18 (out of 20)

More photos below.