Cantwell to Hire Governor's Daughter

We've got it on very good authority that Sen. Maria Cantwell is close to hiring (if she hasn't already inked a deal with) Courtney Gregoire as her legislative director. If this transpires  -- and we hear Court's supposed to start her new gig on Feb. 26 -- the 27-year-old Governor's daughter, a Harvard Law grad and ex-Cantwell intern with no other Capitol Hill experience (sure to thrill veteran Cantwell minions), would hold the second highest ranking post on the mercurial junior senator's staff. From ex-Cantwell staffers everywhere: Courtney, be prepared to drill down and get crisp. And regarding that requested Senate proclamation declaring June 27 "Aerospace Workers Appreciation Day" on the Hill, always remember to address this question: "What's...THE MESSAGE???!!!"