WASHINGTON INSIGHT

HAPPY HOUR: A Washington hotel is hoping to fill its bar stools with a cocktail named in honor of the White House sex saga. Called the “X-Tern,” the spicy cocktail is “guaranteed to heat up even the coolest of hearts and to make the most reserved blush,” says Diana T. Kaiser of the Loews L’Enfant Plaza Hotel. The hotel bills it as a shot of 21-year-old Scotch, a splash of Arkansas sparkle, a dash of bitters and a tart lemon twist. Or as the bartender put it: “It’s basically a Scotch and soda for people obsessed with this case.”

*

HE AIN’T HEAVY: Has the war of words over President Clinton’s character turned brother against brother? In the case of the Brothers Bennett of Washington, it would seem so. As Clinton’s personal attorney, Robert S. Bennett has spent much of the last 3 1/2 years representing the president in the sexual-harassment lawsuit brought by Paula Corbin Jones. He is also Clinton’s lead legal defender in the White House sex-and-lies saga. Robert’s younger brother is William J. Bennett, secretary of Education during the Reagan administration, author of the best-selling “Book of Virtues,” ubiquitous conservative commentator and all-around purveyor of GOP-style “family values.” While Robert Bennett has counseled Clinton to keep a low profile on the Monica S. Lewinsky matter, on Sunday, the younger Bennett pronounced the president guilty of having a “sordid” relationship with a young former intern, urging her to lie about it and bringing us to what is perhaps “the trashiest moment in American presidential history.” Asked about a possible strain in his fraternal relationship, William Bennett sought to defuse speculation of a family feud over the matter. “We’re fine,” he said. “We have maybe a somewhat different perspective. But the question I’m interested in is not precisely the one he’s interested in.”

*

NOT TEED OFF: When Lanny J. Davis gave up his lucrative law practice a year ago to become a White House spinmeister, he asked only one favor of Bill Clinton in return: a presidential round of golf. His day on the links was scheduled for last March 17--until Clinton tore a tendon in his right knee three days earlier while staying at pro golfer Greg Norman’s estate in Hobe Sound, Fla. This week Davis, a golf fanatic and 10-handicap, left his administration post without having played his dream round with the First Hacker. At last report, he was still hoping but not holding his breath.

*

SPIN CITY: Illustrating the revolving door that spins between government and business, attorney Michael J. Madigan has finished directing the Senate’s investigation into campaign fund-raising abuses and returned to his former law firm, Akin & Gump. For ethical reasons, Madigan resigned to become chief counsel for the inquiry led by friend and panel chairman Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.). If Thompson decides to make a run at the GOP presidential nomination next year, don’t be surprised if Madigan once again appears at his side. The two men directed the Republican minority staff of the Senate Watergate Committee 25 years ago.

*

CRISIS CULTURE: Even the Washington nightclub scene, such as it is, is hip to the current capital city news. The Truth Groove, a jazzy rock group that has been known to play for defense contractors and their lobbyists (really), has won raves for its original ditty, “Wag the Dog,” says lead singer Laurance Rassin. Lyrics include, “Did you do it, Bill Bill, did you do it?,” and, “Conjunction junction, Bill, what’s your function?”