Lisa De Pasquale (pronounced Pahsquawllee) is the proud author of Finding Mr. Righteous, a pretty revealing chic lit look at her dating experiences, politics and evolving religious beliefs. The book hit the shelves today. So we took the opportunity to press her on everything from how her ex’s feel about her book to where she’d like to have sex in D.C. (thank you Bill Press) as well as the most annoying habit she can recall about an editor (or boss). Among her claims to fame: Last year she won FishbowlDC’s “Best Bangs” summer superlative (and I’m referring to her hair). De Pasquale seems to have had fun with this interview. As she put it to me some six hours ago, “So, I spent the morning thinking about where in D.C. I would have sex and women I would have sex with. Now I must shower so I can go speak at The Heritage Foundation.#ThisTown.” And pssst….she’s still looking. So if you want to date her, write me at Betsy@DailyCaller.com and I can connect you (if you’re not in prison or otherwise dangerous).
Let’s get started.
Bona Fides
Hometown: Tallahassee, Florida
Age: 36
Named for: Not sure, but Lisa was a popular name in the 70s because of Elvis’s daughter
First job ever: “Teen Movie Critic” for the “Tallahassee Democrat” at age 14
Current employment: Author of “Finding Mr. Righteous” and contributor to Breitbart’s The Conversation and Townhall.com
If someone wants to get on your good side, what candy or liquor should they ply you with? Candy: Butter Crunch Almond Toffee from Li-Lac Chocolates in New York
Most exotic place you’ve ever visited: I suppose it was the Bahamas when I was a kid. I haven’t traveled much outside the U.S.!
Why do you think Washington is so polarized? And please consider your answer in terms of boring us. I think D.C. is so polarized because so many people’s livelihood depends on being argumentative or the vocal minority.
Who is your celebrity crush? Bruce Campbell. Whenever I’m bored I do a Google image search and just scroll and scroll.
A thought that makes you want to cry: The day my dog, Buster Brown, passed away.
Weirdest habit you’ve observed in a newsroom (workplace) setting? At one job the kitchen sink was broken, which everyone knew. It didn’t stop them from just piling their dirty coffee cups and dishes in the sink. Finally, I loaded up all the dirty dishes in a box, took them to the bathroom sink and washed them with dish soap I brought from home. Unfortunately, it was too small an office to leave a passive-aggressive note on the sink.
If you had to kiss a politician who would it be? Rep. Michael Grimm, the guy who said he’d throw the reporter off the balcony. That was kind of hot.
What’s next for you? What would you do with your life if absolutely nothing could stop you? I’m working on my next book, which will be a little more fun and less of an airing of dirty laundry and dating grievances. If I could do anything, it would be to write that book and many more from a house with a pool and private beach.
Pick one: House of Cards, Homeland or Veep: Veep
Pick one: CNN’s New Day, Morning Joe, GMA or the TODAY Show: Today Show, the hour with Hoda and Kathie Lee and wine.
If you had to have a U.S. senator or congressman as your father who would it be? Former Congressbum Thad McCotter.
Since this is The Mirror Questionnaire, what would you change about yourself physically if you could? If you read my book, there’s no surprise what that would be. On my face, it would be the size of my nose.
And your personality? I would stop obsessing over things I can’t control. Like Amazon rankings.
Preferred beach: Palm Beach
Guilty pleasure TV show: Burn Notice (starring Bruce Campbell, of course)
On a scale of 1 to 10, how self-obsessed are you? (10 being you can’t tear yourself away from your own daily Google search and 1 meaning you often spend time in the country away from your computer and don’t give a crap about your Klout score.) Does anyone ever answer this question honestly? Given that I have a memoir out, I guess I’d have to say I’m a solid 8.
Workout regimen: I do a three-mile walk 4-5 times a week and free weights twice a week. I also try to do whatever activity The Sweet Life with Ericka blog is promoting. Right now it’s core exercises.
Pick one – flabby thighs, cankles or love handles? Love handles
Choose: Beautiful eyes, best personality or perfect legs? Beautiful eyes
A thought that brings you great joy: Snuggling with Auggie, a Dachshund I dogsit from time to time.
A regret (of any kind): All the time I spent with an ex-boyfriend instead of with my dog, Buster.
Any brushes with death? If so, please describe. In high school I was in a car accident. There’s one death and several injuries in the other car. We all went to the same high school.
Just a preference Q: Bo or Sunny? Bo.
Most annoying thing your editor (boss) does: An old boss had an annoying habit of only answering the least pressing question in an email. So, if I wrote “Want anything for lunch? Also, do you want me to invite so-and-so as the closing speaker?” He would respond, “Just a coffee.”
Rank how hairy your butt is: 1 to 10? Uh, 2?
Go for a stroll in the park with one of the following and explain the reason for your choice. 1. Andrew Sullivan, of The Daily Dish. 2. The Washington Post’s Jonathan Capehart. 3. NewCo’s Glenn Greenwald. Andrew Sullivan because I suspect I would have the most in common with him and we could probably talk about things we both care about deeply, like reality shows on Bravo and LOGO.
Questions about the book…
1. Will you let your family, your parents read your book? I’ve told my dad he’s not allowed to read it. He said he doesn’t see any point in buying it then. The others I’ve sort of warned, but I think they’ll probably read it anyway.
2. Did the men you wrote about know you were writing a book or did you decide to write it later? Did you have to get permission from them? Do they realize they’re in your book? Have they had reactions to it? If so, what? Some know, some don’t. I didn’t feel the need to get permission because I changed the names and occupations. I’m not trying to expose anyone or ruin anyone’s life. I just wanted to tell this story and at the end of the book I’m the most exposed. One ex-boyfriend has read and enjoyed it.
3. Describe the best date you’ve ever been on. It was Valentine’s Day. We went to Dave and Buster’s. Like a gentleman, he gave me all his prize tickets.
4. How has your faith evolved? How were you raised and where are you now religion-wise? I was raised Southern Baptist until 10, then just started to fall away. I was an atheist/agnostic for many years, which I talk about in “Finding Mr. Righteous.” Two years ago I became a Christian. It was a rough journey.
5. You’re close to Ann Coulter. What does she tell you or advise you about love and looking for it? I don’t want to get into the specific advice because it’s literally the ending of my book. I’ll just say that Ann Coulter was right. About everything.
6. Was your surgery painful, helpful? Please describe. Seeing myself standing next to Rush Limbaugh on every major news network and realizing I may have been slightly larger was more painful than the actual surgery. Getting lap-band surgery was helpful, but isn’t a magic cure. I still have to work out several times a week and be conscious of what I’m eating.
7. So are you still looking for Mr. Righteous and what’s he like lookswise and otherwise? Yes, I’m still looking. Ideally, he would be a combination of the looks and attitude of Sam Axe (played by Bruce Campbell) and have the skills and view of the government as Ron Swanson (played by Nick Offerman).
When was the last time you were, if ever, naked outside? My friend Abby’s family has a house in Rehoboth Beach. There’s an outside shower that’s private, but open on top. I used it once and then realized I was surrounded by two story houses.
From The Sunday Times’ Toby Harnden: If you could tell one person to their face that they’re full of shit, with no consequences, who would it be? I think I have to say the President.
From Al Jazeera’s David Shuster: If you had to watch or read a news report in a language you didn’t understand, what language would it be and why? Italian. It’s aggressively sexy. Or sexily aggressive.
From lefty radio host Bill Press: Where’s the one place in Washington you’d love to have sex, but can’t? Doesn’t everyone say the top of the U.S. Capitol? I don’t really get the thrill of sex outside.
From former Rep. Weiner’s ex-phone sex partner Sydney Elaine Leathers: Who is the worst journalist on your favorite news channel? Todd Starnes on Fox News Channel. It’s not an “exclusive” when you tweet information from a press release.
From Washington Free Beacon’s Lachlan Markay: Which universally acclaimed piece of literature, art, film, or music can you simply not stand? The TV show “The Big Bang Theory.” Unwatchable. The characters are so annoying and whiney.
From SiriusXM’s Julie Mason: What is the lie you always tell about yourself? That I look just like my best selfies.
From freelancer and journalism prof Steve Friess: If you were the opposite of your sexual orientation, name three people you’d sleep with? Christina Hendricks, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lawrence.
Please provide a question for the next lucky victim of The Mirror Questionnaire. Make it good. What’s the best piece of advice your parents gave you?