Top 10 Montclair Residents the Spies Should Have Befriended

This week, federal prosecutors accused 11 people of being part of a Russian espionage ring, living under phony names as they tried to blend into life in suburbia while seeking to infiltrate American policy making circles. Two of the alleged spies, Richard and Cynthia Murphy, lived on Marquette Road in Montclair. The New York Daily News has a good story today on people who befriended the Murphys, but had no idea they were spies. According to intercepted communications, the pair tried to get to know people with access to the White House and other important places. It's not clear how much luck they had. But here's a list of 10 people in Montclair the two should have tried to befriend.

1) Without a doubt, Stephen Colbert. America's most daring pundit. With World Cup fever sweeping the nation, the spies, too, could have learned that nothing is more infectiously thrilling than an inconclusive draw.

2) Bobbi Brown, makeup artist extraordinaire. Certainly a deep-cover Russian spy could benefit from a lesson in applying concealer.

3) Jim Axelrod, national correspondent with CBS News. As the first TV reporter to broadcast live from Saddam International Airport after its takeover by American forces, this guy should know a few things about foreign policy.

4) Andrew Rosenthal, editorial page editor at The New York Times. He apparently spares little vitriol when discussing Republican politicians.

5) Jonathan Alter, senior editor and acclaimed political columnist at Newsweek. As the author of The Promise, a book on President Obama's first year in office, he should definitely be privvy to the inside scoop.

6) Kathleen Carroll, the Associated Press' executive editor. At the helm of the world's largest and oldest newsgathering organization, this woman is surely in the know.

7) Frankie Faison, an actor who starred in The Silence of the Lambs, just because it'd be fun.

8) Pamela Satran, maven of MEWS and author of books on what to name your kid. Slip something in her drink and suggest that Vladimir and Olga are the hip new monikers for the younger set.

9) Paul Fishman, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey. Playing it close to the vest with the leader of so many federal prosecutors would have to be great practice for any good spy.

10) Finally, Yogi Berra, one of baseball's greatest legends. Surely the Russians are Yankees fans. It ain't over till it's over...

Do you have your own additions to the list? We want to hear them!

AND: Another of the alleged spies was a student at nearby Seton Hall in South Orange.