HEY, SMIRKING RIGHTIES, THERE'VE BEEN RODENTS AT THE WHITE HOUSE FOR YEARS

Well, it's a nothing story, though it leads Drudge right now (OBAMA DOESN'T TAKE QUESTIONS FROM THE RAT, EITHER), so I guess that means it's The Most Important Story In America -- a rat ran by as the president made a statement to the press about the financial overhaul bill. (Cue the mouth-breathers saying Har har har, now there are two rats in the White House!!!)

Well, there were reports of rodents in the White House press room during the W. years, when the room was refurbished. Also in W.'s tenure, a rat ran past the White House during a live shot by ABC's Martha Raddatz. A Knight-Ridder story from early in Clinton's tenure took note of rats on the White House grounds and noted that "The rat problem is not new with the Democratic administration. Barbara Bush was unnerved by an 'enormous' one sharing the outdoor pool with her. Another one nipped her dog, Millie." And this goes way back -- legend has it that Teddy Roosevelt's rat terrier rid the White House of many rats (the breed is now named for TR).

Yeah, I wasted precious moments of my life Googling all that. The sacrifices I make for you.