The American Spectator

p> SENATE QUEEN br> The Boeing Corporation evidently has little use for the Republican Party. Last night, Linda Daschle , who works as a lobbyist for Boeing, was one of the hosts of a “Boeing Salutes the Senate Democratic Caucus” in a Washington, D.C. theater space. Mrs. Daschle makes a point of telling reporters that, to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest, she limits her lobbying efforts on behalf of the airplane manufacturer and defense contractor exclusively to the House side of Congress. But she was front and center with her Senate Majority Leader hubby on Tuesday night. /p>

Boeing has no plans for a similar Republican event, in part, one Democratic Senate leadership aide says, because word on the Hill has it that the firm’s Washington lobbyists (not including Mrs. D.) advised against it. “It wasn’t seen as necessary,” says the leadership source. “On the Senate side, we’re the ones they have to deal with first, not the Republicans. It would be a slap in our face.”

Boeing isn’t above slapping some faces, though. Not only were Republicans not invited, but the media were barred from the event too.

p> DEMOCRATS IN FULL RETREAT br> Retreats are the new political “in” thing. Al Gore is planning one, and just last week, House Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt let it be known that he is planning a retreat for later this summer to discuss racial issues. The weekend event will be open to members of the House Democratic Caucus, but interestingly, it won’t be co-hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus. “They can do their own thing,” says a Gephardt staffer. “This is Mr. Gephardt’s idea, his funding, his program.” So take that,