An eagle-eyed Capitol Hill visitor spotted the vanity-plated Benz belonging to former Sen. Gordon H. Smith, R-Ore. — now head of the National Association of Broadcasters — cold-chilling in front of the Hart Senate Office Building on Wednesday.

While one of our colleagues pointed out that the lobbying curbs adopted by the 110th Congress pulled the plug on certain alumni parking privileges, a Senate aide told HOH there are exceptions to the rule.

“I do know that a ‘former senator permit’ does exist,” the aide said of the courtesy extended to former pols.

Must be nice …