In the future, while conducting future “admin-bashing” conversations with journalists, Hayden should look to more anonymous, out-of-the-way locations than the mid-week, mid-afternoon Acela train from Washington to New York—locations such as . . .

The Smith & Wollensky in northwest D.C.
Michael’s in New York
The Harvard Club
A Des Moines–Dulles flight during the Iowa caucuses
The Dean & DeLuca underneath The New York Times offices
The Condé Nast cafeteria
Off The Record, the bar at the Hay-Adams Hotel
The Four Seasons in New York
The green room at MSNBC studios
The German chancellor’s office (ka-pow!)