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Did She Let Him Lead?

Although Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) have had their differences, you wouldn’t have known it Tuesday night, when the Democratic-leading duo kicked up their heels in an impromptu jitterbug. [IMGCAP(1)]

Their Fred-and-Ginger moment came during the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s fundraiser/celebration at 101 Constitution Ave. NW. The B Street Band, a popular Bruce Springsteen cover band, was playing, and Hoyer and Pelosi were onstage.

Rep. Dennis Moore (D-Kan.) had joined the band in an apparently rousing rendition of Buddy Holly’s “Oh Boy.” Moore’s musical stylings proved irresistible to Hoyer, and the Majority Leader’s enthusiasm quickly propelled his swayings into full-on dance moves.

And although he’s the No. 2 guy in the House, he had no qualms about taking the lead, our spies said. “He was really twirling Pelosi around,” a witness tells HOH of Hoyer’s leadership skills. (That’s “leading” as in dancing, not legislating.)

The event turned into a Democratic talent show of sorts. In addition to the Hoyer-Pelosi hoofing act and Moore’s guitar-playing, the evening also featured guitar gods Rep. Paul Hodes (D-N.H.) performing “Call Me the Breeze” by J.J. Cales, Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) doing Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman,” and Rep. Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.).

HOH hears that the strumming Dems’ performance during last month’s Democratic retreat was so well-received (where Crowley and Rep. John Hall of New York entertained colleagues), the guitar players in the Caucus were asked to perform at the DCCC.

And he not only plays like a rock star, he parties like one, too: Crowley was spotted enjoying a post-party drink at nearby watering hole Charlie Palmer Steak.

Tee Time. Golf banter abounded on Wednesday when super-golfer Tiger Woods yukked it up at a photo op with star-struck lawmakers. House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), an avid golfer, scored a spot next to Woods, and Pelosi informed Woods that Boehner “is a man who knows his way around a golf course.” To which a maybe-impressed Tiger responded, “So I’ve heard, so I’ve heard.”

Hoyer then dissed his own game. “I’m the one most in need of your services,” he implored the guest. The PGA phenom’s appearance, ostensibly to promote his kiddie charity, the Tiger Woods Foundation, awed not only the lawmakers but the unusually large gaggle of journos gathered, most of whom showed up just to ogle Woods.

Although they were told no questions would be allowed, the press types, of course, lobbed a few (wait, that’s tennis, not golf). Tiger was asked if his D.C. visit was a sign that he was becoming more politically active. “My plate’s pretty full right now,” he demurred, citing the demands of his golf schedule and a baby on the way.

Calling All Stand-Up Staffers. HOH does not believe that Congressional staffers aren’t as funny as their executive branch brethren. I mean, have you heard the one about the appropriator, the priest and the supplemental? Hi-lar-ious.

But Naomi Johnson, producer for the Funniest Fed competition, at which federal employees try their hand at stand-up comedy, says submissions among Hill types have been a little light. As in one.

Only one application has come in from the Hill versus bunches from Treasury, Commerce, Health and Human Services and the like, she reports.

The deadline to apply for the competition, sponsored by WTOP’s Federal News Radio and benefiting Meals on Wheels, is March 30.

C’mon, what about those checks and balances, Hill staff?

Comedy (Right of) Central. And speaking of funny, HOH hears GOP staffers are pulling for the new Fox News comedy show “The Half-Hour News Show,” currently on a test run and looking like it will become a permanent fixture, to succeed. They hope the show, modeled after laffy Comedy Central juggernauts “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report” — which are considered lib-leaning —will provide a friendlier interviewing venue for GOP members.

While Fox isn’t talking yet about the show’s fate, early buzz has already begun on the Hill. “I’d love to get my boss on it,” one GOPer mused.

Lei-ed Up. Anyone on the Hill missing a certain burly Hawaiian? Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D) has been MIA this week, missing votes and even sending in a sub to chair an Armed Services subcommittee hearing he was supposed to gavel.

But before you jump to the conclusion that Washington, D.C.’s foul weather had scared away the Aloha State lawmaker, his spokesman informs us that the Congressman is recovering from a little back injury. He slipped on the stairs of his Honolulu home Sunday night, the spokesman tells HOH. After a trip to the hospital to make sure the injury wasn’t serious (it wasn’t), Abercrombie is recovering and should be back on his feet today.

Don’t forget your snow boots, Congressman.

Please send your hot tips, juicy gossip or comments to hoh@rollcall.com.

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