Charlie,
I’d like to see if we can set up a time to chat about this story.
Once again the winds of change will be hitting Washington, D.C. this week. But change will be felt in places beyond the Halls of Congress, as legislative staff come and go in addition to the Democrats that have filled the seats. Everything from popular hangouts and dress code to even the cars that people drive will soon take a major shift, in a ritual of change that has come to be a regular every two years in the Capitol District.
I’ve put together a few examples you may ponder for a story:
1) Car lease trading website LeaseTrader.com expects a noticeable shift in the types of cars on the D.C. roads. According to company Vice President John Sternal, locals will see fewer hybrid vehicles and more cars driven by Republicans like the Lincoln Town Car, Lexus and Porsche. According to Sternal the company saw a noticeable trend (28% more hybrids) during the Obama inauguration two years ago and expects a reversing shift this time around, in spite of the increasing gas prices.
2) Casual Friday is out and the Seersucker Suit and traditional styles are back. Basically, if John Boehner is wearing it, so is most of Washington D.C. Christopher Kim has been dressing Washington’s finest for 33 years and he’s lived through plenty of style changes following elections. He anticipates a similar shift in style that compares to when Jimmy Carter’s cardigan sweaters gave way to the very traditional suits of the Reagan Administration.
3) Sushi and salad are out, and the two-martini lunch will be back in vogue. "U Street" establishments will no longer be the "it" hangouts while places like the Capitol Lounge expect to see an influx of activity after the new year. Adam Manson, owner of the Capitol Lounge says that by nature there’s more of a conservative crowd in the lounge, and with the Heritage Foundation next door he anticipates an increase in attendance following the elections.
4) Smoking may even become popular again as newly-elected Republican lawmakers harken back to the days of smoking in the Capitol offices. John Sullivan, owner of JR Cigars, says he’s noticed fewer lawmakers in his store since the 2008 election and believes that trend will reverse in a big way now that Republicans and their staff will be the majority on Capitol Hill.
All four sources have agreed to speak with a reporter for a story on the expected shift that will take place in Washington, D.C. Let me know if I can coordinate interviews for you.
