“Shh... surprise my dad, Rick Santorum”

Down in the polls, Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) is getting fundraising assistance from his 13-year-old son.

In honor of Santorum’s 48th birthday today, his son, John, has sent out a fundraising letter on his dad’s behalf. In it, he asks voters to “help him win reelection by making a special birthday donation of $48.”

Later in the e-mail with the subject line “Shh...surprise my dad, Rick Santorum,” he adds, “Give my dad a special birthday surprise by supporting his campaign right away.”

Larry Smar, spokesman for Democrat Bob Casey Jr., Santorum’s likely opponent this fall, declined to comment on the letter. Santorum campaign spokeswoman Virginia Davis said: “John has been getting more and more involved with the campaign and went door to door with him on Saturday in Mechanicsburg.”

Davis says all of Santorum’s six children are eager to help with Dad’s campaign. For example, his eldest, Elizabeth, 15, did a 60-second education ad for his campaign website. In addition, Santorum’s wife, Karen, has a blog on her husband’s website called “Karen’s Corner,” in which she wrote an Easter message as well as expressions of gratitude for St. Patrick’s Day and St. Valentine’s Day.

“Obviously the family is very involved with the campaign,” Davis said.

To see the fundraising letter as well as a photograph of 13-year-old John with the rest of the Santorum clan, visit www.santorumforsenate.com. 

Kennedy Center 35th turns out celebs in fancy frocks

But where are the Kennedys?

Sunday night’s extravagant black-tie affair at the Kennedy Center attracted hoards of high-level Washingtonians — Secretary of State Condi Rice; top President Bush aides Karl Rove, Josh Bolten and former Chief of Staff Andy Card; and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Peter Pace among them. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell sat next to National Intelligence Director John Negroponte during dinner on the rooftop terrace.

Rice wore a long form-fitting red gown by Oscar de la Renta. “I remember coming here when I was little girl,” she said. “I just loved it.”

Bo Derek, who serves as a trustee of the Kennedy Center, was also there, wearing a white Bill Blass pantsuit.

“This is my fourth year, and I just love it,” Derek said, adding that she comes to D.C. often. Asked if she is still close with Rep. David Dreier (R-Calif.), with whom she has been romantically linked, she remarked, “Yes, he is a very good friend.”

Those from Capitol Hill included House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and lobbyist wife Abigail, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and wife Joan, Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) and husband Sidney, Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) and lobbyist wife Linda.

Decidedly absent from the gala was a significant presence from Camelot. The only Kennedy spotted in the house was U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Jean Kennedy Smith, the mother of William Kennedy Smith.

Also in attendance was Sen. Craig Thomas (R-Wyo.) and wife Susan, who wore a black gown with a bright pink wrap. She talked about how good former Rep. Rick Lazio (R-N.Y.) looked and spoke of the physical toll that politics can take.

“It really jerks you around,” she said. At which point her husband made a face that said, “Including me?”

“He really looks good,” Susan continued of Lazio. He’s “not as tired or stressed.”

Prima ballerina Suzanne Farrell (trained by George Balanchine), a recent Kennedy Center honoree, was also in attendance. “It’s fun to see how these corridors take on this kind of look,” she said, gazing at the glorious red-tinted room with red-rose centerpieces and candles.

John McLaughlin of “The McLaughlin Group” was also there. Asked if the typically loud talk-show host had gotten into any arguments during dinner, McLaughlin replied, “My dinner partner was the former chief of staff for [former Sen.] George Mitchell [D-Maine]. We had an enriching exchange of views, which is characteristic of my professional life as well.”

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) is watching his waistline.

Last week when a reporter offered him a baby Nestle Crunch bar in a Senate elevator, he declined, saying that he was on a diet. As he got on his cell phone, he said, “I need [to be on a diet].”

Israel Klein, Schumer’s spokesman, did not return calls on the matter.

Ratgate: Sen. Obama takes on street animal

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) was having a conversation with a small group of tourists on the Senate subway between the Capitol and the Hart Building last week when the subject of the feared tiger mosquito came up. The mosquito is an urban pest that can breed in a bottle cap filled with water — this means it’s tough to eliminate, and it’s reportedly coming to D.C. (Think “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.”)

The conversation gave way for Obama to bring up another pest on his mind — namely, the dead rat he found on a curb in front of his Capitol Hill apartment building. Obama turned to his aide and asked, “Did you take care of that rat yet?” Of course, Obama wasn’t expecting his aide to deal with the rat personally — that’s the job of the D.C. city government, which apparently has a 48-hour window on removing dead animals.

Rat infestation has been a problem on the senator’s block. “This one in particular more closely resembled a large possum,” said Obama.

Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor explained, “Staffers for Senator Obama saw the animal and fearing it might be a large cat or small dog called the authorities to see if someone could resuscitate it. Tragically it was too late and the rat was pronounced dead.”

Blunt shows newly adopted son the political ropes

House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) brought his blond-haired, blue-eyed, newly adopted Russian son, Charlie, to the House floor for the first time Thursday. Asked whether Charlie might return someday with a member pin, Blunt said, “We hope not.” Blunt was accompanied by his wife, Abigail, who waited outside the chamber.

Apparently Rep. Lacy Clay (D-Mo.) is taking a page from Rep. Albert Wynn’s (D-Md.) playbook for straightening his teeth. Wynn, as previously reported in ITK, wears a retainer on his top teeth and braces on his bottom set.

Clay explained that he had his clear braces put on his teeth two months ago. The idea sprouted when he took his 12-year-old daughter, who also has braces, to the dentist six months ago and the doctor noticed that the congressman’s teeth could use some straightening. Hence the braces.

Clay says his mother is having a good laugh at his expense. “She offered me braces 35 years ago, and I said no.” At the time, he says, she allowed him to make some of his own decisions. Clay plans to have his braces removed in December, at which point he could be a prime candidate for a retainer.

The congressman says he’s still adjusting to the braces, saying he has to put wax on his teeth to keep them from cutting him.

Wynn can feel his pain. When dentist tightens the retainer or braces, he says, things are not pleasant.

Moran refers to himself as the ‘biggest loser’

Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.), who weighed in at 280 pounds last Friday, says he plans to lose 50 pounds by Labor Day.

If any of his Falls Church constituents loses more than him, the congressman promises to pay the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce a dollar a pound. “I have to be the biggest loser,” he says, referring to the television reality show “The Biggest Loser,” in which overweight people are cast to lose weight. He jokes, “Some people think I am already.”

Moran undertook a weight-loss challenge last year and lost 30 pounds. He swears, “This is the last time.”

Lobbyist, wife welcome birth of daughter

Robb Watters of the Madison Group and his wife, Blair, are pleased to announce the April 27 arrival of their first child, Marin Hudson Leigh Watters, who graced the couple with her presence at 2:01 p.m., weighing 6 pounds, 14.6 ounces, at the George Washington University Hospital. 

“In true Watters fashion, she was vocal on her entrance and graciously greeted all in the room,” Watters wrote in an e-mail. “After a brief [feeding], she decided to bathe and dress before greeting her admirers. As such festivities left her tired, she withdrew from company and opted for a nap. The ever-lovely Blair Watters, who was tirelessly hosting the event, is radiant and resting. She extended an invitation to Miss Marin to join her for a quiet brunch later in the day.”

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Jonathan Allen contributed to this report.