Federal File: Singing for his supper; Most charitable; Another try?

Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander called on his musical skills last week when he was chosen to be the Republican Party's designated comedian at the annual dinner of the Gridiron Club, an organization of Washington journalists.

The high-profile affair, attended by lawmakers, executive-branch officials, and journalists, traditionally includes a satirical skit put on by members of each party, "responses'' by spokesmen for each side, and a comic turn by the President himself.

Speakers are expected to lampoon members of both parties, and Mr. Alexander, who is said to be an accomplished pianist, ribbed President Bush with a song, to the tune of "You...