D.C. ponders identities of ‘Real Housewives’

For example, the competitive ritual of holiday cards in the political world. "We all try to come up with better and more elaborate ones, and to get ours out sooner," she says.

Or, the show could focus on the life of a political fundraiser — giving significant air time to the chosen woman's cause, of course. Or how about the art of political gift-giving — "a very big deal in Washington, all the way down the food chain," Rogers says.

Whether she joins the cast or not, Rogers hopes it will display the changes in Washington over the last decade or so. "There used to be very few good restaurants — now there's one opening every week," she says. "There are high-end retail stores, and lots of nightclubs. Ten years ago you couldn't find a place to go dancing."

Many, of course, attribute the new allure of Washington to the incoming Obama administration. "There's a freshness with a new president, and less baggage," says Bravo's Cohen. "Plus, the president and first lady's youth brings a new energy to the city."

But longtime Washingtonians like Williams, the publisher, say that energy's been percolating for years. "The city itself has been changing for a decade," she says. "The world just hasn't seen it."

Justin Long, 21, doesn't know much about "Real Housewives," but he does know about D.C. arts, culture and urban development, which he blogs about on ReadySetDC.com. "A lot more younger people are coming into the city, and it's kicked things into higher gear," says Long. "More eyes are definitely on D.C."

And clearly Bravo hopes those eyes will gravitate to "The Real Housewives of D.C." — potential launch date unknown.

Juleanna Glover Weiss, a Washington lobbyist and frequent hostess, will not be among the housewives, though she's given producers advice.

"I'm the sole supporter of three children. My margin of error is pretty small," she jokes. "Maybe they should try for some diplomatic wives — women who can get out of Dodge quickly if they need to!"

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