Pageant News Bureau - Kate Michael

A few months ago, Kate Michael was a high-powered beauty queen working in a very high-powered place. As a staffer in the U.S. Senate, she represented the District of Columbia in the Miss America Pageant.

Now this long-legged lady is moving on in a major way. In early summer 2007, she finishes her reign as Miss D.C., freeing her to do more modeling -- and perhaps compete in other contests. But that's not all. To our shock, she has left her job on Capitol Hill.

What could tempt a beautiful girl to toss out a promising future in the corridors of democracy? Madness, perhaps? Absolutely. Ms. Michael has caught the writing bug.

"I'm a blogger," she says, naming the occupation that has eclipsed "lobbyist" as the most feared in Washington.

She works for an online magazine, dcstylemag.com, doing a "fashion and events blog."

"Events" are everywhere in Washington -- balls, premieres, charity auctions. And decisions are made whenever the mighty mingle, so the D.C. social circuit is part of the power game.

Bloggers who put their own spin on what happens at these gatherings have become so influential that important people tremble at the sight of them.

Ms. Michael is one of the gentler bloggers, but we tremble at the sight of her, too. She makes our knees weak.

Kate Michael has "mixed emotions" about finishing her reign, but she has high hopes for the future of the Miss America system.

Kate's new clout