Posted on 08/15/2006 1:36:40 PM PDT by pissant
When it comes to style, most of the 535 members of Congress wear conservative suits that reflect the power on Capitol Hill.
For some of their fresh-faced interns, however, skimpy tank tops, jeans, short skirts and flip-flops are the "underdressed" norm.
"In what I'm wearing, you can see a lot of skin, and I've seen a lot of girls walk around maybe not buttoned up," said Erica Matson, a congressional intern. "These girls wear tight pants, too, and they think maybe they're not pushing the limit, but they are."
With hopes of one day entering the political work force, as many as 20,000 interns begin that summer climb on Capitol Hill. Many will arrive at the most-popular address — the White House — with their tongues wagging.
"These kids all come out, and they're still wearing tank tops and flip-flops, and that's where the action is," said Alex Pareene, editor of Wonkette.com, a political Web site.
The site sponsors a "Hotties on the Hill" contest, highlighting the sexiest interns on Capitol Hill.
"The easiest way to stand out is to not dress conservatively, and maybe if you can get noticed, you might get a full-time position," Pareene said.
The intern "skin" debate, however, isn't limited to the nation's capital.
"Gen Y — or millenials, as they are often called — don't have the same sense of respect for hierarchy or authority as older generations do," said Tory Johnson, founder and CEO of Women for Hire. "What is often happening in that case is, we are leaving an impression of young and sexy instead of young, smart, sophisticated and savvy."
Nicole Williams coaches young women entering the work force, and says while some interns are calculating, others are just clueless about real-world business attire.
"This isn't a frat party. This isn't about who's the hottest chick out there. You are working for someone," Williams said.
Not all interns are on the same fashion page about what's hot and what's not.
"We're here with some very important people," said congressional intern Billy Williams. "This is a privilege to be working here."
Still, some interns say looking hot is their ticket to a better job.
"You've got the summer to prove 'I can work here' or 'I can't work here,' so to get noticed, why not?" Matson said.
We all remember what happened to Monica Lewinsky, who just wanted to be noticed.
These "skinterns" need to be reminded that Bill isn't President (thank God) any more.
Congress is still Congress.
These are way better than Clintoons intern WAY BETTER.
Slut#2 looks pretty good.
Their parents must be so proud......
Simple solution is to apply a dress code. If the Interns don't adhere to it - send them home. They do that in the corporate world - why not here?
Not that there isn't enough rampant skankiness to use them in every other rank of politics. Seriously, anyone who would let his daughter be a politician's concubine, err, intern may as well pimp her out.
Wonder if the one in the middle can bend over just a little bit more.... /sarc
"This isn't about the hottest chick out there. You are working for someone."
Who says? It seems that they are getting hired!
Exactly. Congress Critters and Senators are not known for their fidelity.
Exactly. Who the heck hired them? I'm sure they got their jobs dressing like that. It's like Hollywood and the casting couch.
Monica wanabees.
Jeez... just like Monica!
"These "skinterns" need to be reminded that Bill isn't President (thank God) any more."
I suddenly have a desire for a cigar.
Perhaps I don't know what it's like when you don't have to justify your expenses, but I wouldn't put up with Miss July in a string bikini if she couldn't do the work.
And if she could, I'd ask her to put on some clothes so the guys could concentrate. With the possible exception of casual Friday.
Shalom.
One can only imagine how Barney Frank's interns are dressed.
Need we ask what Bawny Fwanks interns look like??
Sorry, number three is smokin' hot.
I bet you can get into more than one position...
I love a poster who knows the "rules"!
Back in the '70s, when I got my Associate Degree, we were given a book with one chapter devoted to how to dress for the office. Times have really changed. I'm amazed when I go into a business at how the women are dressed.
Birds do it,
Bees do it,
Even interns on their knees do it...
I bet their names are: Jasmine, Amber and Britney
I recently heard politics described as "Hollywood for the Ugly."
Those democrats are "pretty"! Pretty ugly!
I can here the Slickster now .... "YEEEEEEEE HAWWW!"
HOT?
Did someone say....HOT?
Helen Thomas must have been the comparison model.
I've seen HOT. HOT is a desire of mine. And these girls aren't HOT.
Isn't it lovely out Tax Dollars help Congress view skin instead of actually worrying about job performance.
But one institution at a time. At least the House Bank and Post Office of the Tip and Jim Wright eras is over. Maybe some day we can insert a provision that each Congressional office must sport a Helen Thomas at the Beach wall photo. That would put most Congress people off their intern-skin cravings.
And being both is even better.
You know better than to ask that question....
I'm confused now.
My vote is number 3. My guess, a corn-fed midwesterner. Good sturdy Iowa stock.
This is a made-up controversy. The way these "interns" dress is the way a lot of girls dress at that age, in this day. Nothing to be surprised about, just ABC laying the groundwork (everybody does it) for Bill Clinton to be America's First Black First Lady.
Having done a fair amount of low-profile lobbying, I can tell you this: legislative assistants on the hill mostly look about as hot as CMT singers. YOUCH! Oddly, this holds true whether the office-holder is male or female, young or old, liberal or conservative, although my tastes usually tend for the type who work in conservative offices. My theory is that elective office in high school is usually held by the most popular girls, who then figure they'll be great in Washington.
Wow, both Barbra Streisand (in profile) and Helen Thomas (frontal shot) really remind me of Yasser Arafat.
bump (ok, perhaps I should use a different word on this thread)
You are right. Looks come and go, but good ethics, work habits, intelligence, and loyalty are hard to find.
Andrea Dworkin kicked the bucket
And sometimes they are murdered, as Chandra Levy was.
Slut? Please.
I believe "Skank" is the proper term.
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