top2.gif - 6.71 K

www.cybersocket.com

lettertop.gif - 16.22 K Pen Points
Letters to
Gay Today


Denying Bush the Nomination

gwbushsmile.jpg - 7.00 K Gov. George W. Bush is wondering what's happening to his sure-thing campaign Senator John McCain's overwhelming victories in the Arizona and Michigan primaries yesterday, narrows to 61/60 the delegate gap between the upstart Republican presidential candidate and radical right standard bearer George W. Bush. As was the case in the earlier New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries, McCain's strong showing on February 22 has been almost universally credited by election watchers and Bush campaign strategists to party switching by traditionally Democratic voters, and strong support for McCain by Independent and first time voters.

When, on January 26, NationalGayLobby.Org issued its call for a "gay and lesbian led migration of Democratic and independent voters to the Republican Party in time to vote in key primaries," we said that the "only sure way to prevent a Bush presidency is to deny him the Republican nomination." At that time, we also said that the only way to deny Bush his party's nomination, "is by registering as Republicans and voting for John McCain in the primaries." We believe that the results of primary elections held to date validate our strategy, and are an indication that huge numbers of voters from our community and from among our traditional allies -- labor, the African-American community, Libertarians, and younger voters -- heeded our call.

On February 29, Virginia will award its 56 convention delegates in an "open" Republican primary. The religious and radical right and social conservatives are pulling out all the stops in an effort to bolster George W. Bush's faltering campaign. While a McCain win in the Virginia primary is doubtful, we believe that it is possible for our community and our friends to deprive Bush of the overwhelming victory he desperately needs in Virginia.

On March 7, "Super Tuesday," the Republican Party will assign 337 convention delegates in "open" and "semi-open" primaries in ten states. All registered voters, regardless of part affiliation, will be eligible to vote in the six "open" primaries -- Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Vermont and Washington. Republican and Independent voters may vote in the "semi-open" Republican primaries in Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

We urge our members and all gay and lesbian voters to contact family members and friends in states which will hold primaries on February 29 and March 7, and urge them to, if possible, vote for John McCain in the Republican primary in their state.

California will also hold its Republican primary on March 7. While all registered voters may cast a vote in this election, only votes case by registered Republicans will count toward the assignment of convention delegates. Many analysts are predicting that John McCain may win the popular vote by a big margin in California, while Bush walks away with the states 162 delegates.

Related Stories from the GayToday Archive:
George W. Bush, Jr. Caught Projecting a Phony Image

Republican Leadership Kills Hate Crimes Prevention Act

Just What Do You Like to Do in Bed?

Related Sites:
National Gay Lobby

George W. Bush for President
GayToday does not endorse related sites.

In his analysis of the Michigan primary published today, Salon.com columnist Joe Conason wrote, "Michigan's rejection of George W. Bush is an ominous sign for the Republican Party. For the party's anointed candidate to lose in an open-primary state where the GOP is usually competitive suggests serious trouble next fall."

It is up to each of us do her or his part to make what Conason sees as a suggestion of trouble for the Republicans a political reality.

Michael Romanello
www.NationalGayLobby.Org


Bald is Beautiful

baldman.jpg - 8.23 K One thing that has always puzzled me is why males put such a high premium on a full head of hair.

Now, I'm not one to tote out Yul Brenner (sp?), the totally bald star of musicals in the 50s & 60s, as the ultimate male beauty standard. However, I've often thought that moderate baldness was actually very enhancing to many males. Partial baldness can be very masculine, very handsome.

I always found those "Hair Club for Men" ads on TV to be most annoying. At times, I've even been known to scribble graffiti on lighted signs on the bus stop ads outside my shop's door which touted "cures" for baldness with messages like "Bald is Beautiful!"

I've ridden in elevators with men wearing hair pieces, Sam Donaldson style, which made me say to myself, "Doesn't that look ridiculous?"

I had a good friend who had a father, quite handsome but lacking hair on the top of his head, who once went out shopping for hair pieces.

The story went that everyone broke out into uncontrollable laughter each time another "wig" went on. He never wore a hair piece and looked all the better for it.

However, I suggest that folks should watch out for rip-offs and not "internalize" the much promoted "if-you-are-bald-you-are-ugly" mindset.

It's not what's on top of year head that's important, it's what is between your ears and in your heart that really matters.

Randolfe Wicker



bannerbot.gif - 8.68 K
© 1997-2000 BEI