From The Hotline Latest Edition for Wednesday, May 14,2008

CONVOS

Thank God They're Bringing Back Zubaz

Wed. May 14, 2008


What would prompt Bloomington Mayor Gene Winstead (R) to "vogue down a Mall of America runway" modeling a t-shirt and Zubaz? Nothing short of the unveiling of the official line of RNC clothing, which took place at the mall's rotunda on 5/13. The clothes "sport plenty of fashion don'ts," but in a restrained way - "almost too restrained." One sky-blue t-shirt's screenprint is a colorful drawing of the St. Paul skyline with a little airplane "toting a 'MSP 2008' sign." The merch includes many such nonpartisan and bipartisan items; even the partisan products "are dubbed 'official logo items.'" The merch will be sold at several locations, including a flagship store at the CivicFest building. Item costs range from $110 for a waterproof jacket to $8 for a shot glass (Tillotson, Minneapolis Star Tribune, 5/13).

Keepin' It Wheel

1K bicycles will be available for a free exchange program during the DNC to "help folks get around," and officials "hope to continue to offer" some version of the program after the convo. Boulder's Bikes Belong has joined with the city's convo host cmte and Humana to offer the program during the convo week (Denver Post, 5/14).

The Alliance for Marriage Foundation and the Catholic Assn of Latino Leaders announced today that they will "host a rally in support of traditional marriage and family" during the DNC. The Catholic Latino assn's exec. board "is working with prominent leaders" to "encourage the Democratic Party 'to stand up for marriage.'" Rev. Samuel Rodriguez Jr.: "When mom and dad are in the home it is the primary antidote to the Latino dropout rate, proliferation of gang activity, drugs and a number of social ills." Rodriguez said the Dem candidates "are expected to receive" a greater percentage of Latino votes than in past recent elections. He said it "could be" more than 60%. Rodriguez said the rally "would encourage Latino voters to urge leaders" to protect marriage (Draper, Denver Post, 5/13).