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Politics : Right Wing Extremist Thread -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: sandintoes who wrote (39967)	1/12/2004 6:55:01 AM
From: Glenn Petersen	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 59480

Ex-Miss America a delegate to GOP convention suntimes.com January 12, 2004 BY LESLIE GRIFFY Former Miss America Erika Harold has a lot in common with conservative columnist Ann Coulter and Florida's Republican Representative Katherine Harris. All three women will speak at the American Conservative Union's conference this month. And they've each been named "Republican Babe of the Week" by a New Jersey-based Web site geared toward young, conservative men. Harold, of Downstate Urbana, may appear on a ballot soon, too. Wednesday she became an Illinois delegate to the Republican National Convention, a move that could mark the start of a political career for the Harvard Law student. "I do find the idea of running for political office appealing," she said. But she's coy about where she'd like to serve, "I want to wait and see what Harvard Law sends my way," she said. Liberal groups have been keeping an eye on the 24-year-old beauty queen as she meets with conservative groups nationwide. "She's been very up front about her political aspirations. ... She is among the who's who of right-wing advocates," said Peter Montgomery of the liberal group People for the American Way. The University of Illinois graduate studied political science before winning her crown. She has already worked on Republican campaigns, including former state Sen. Patrick J. O'Malley's unsuccessful 2002 gubernatorial bid. "I hope she runs," said Libby Gray, who worked with Harold at Project Reality, a Downstate abstinence education program. "She would be a great public servant." As Miss America, Harold raised the ire of pageant officials when she strayed from her platform against bullying and youth violence to talk about the more politically charged issue of abstinence. But she earned respect from conservative activists, and liberals took notice. Harold is one of the youngest people on Right Wing Watch, a list maintained by People for the American Way. Officials shouldn't have been surprised when she brought up abstinence. She worked on the issue for four years before becoming Miss America, Gray said. "She had a difficult background -- was harassed for being multiracial -- and made this very different choice [in favor of abstinence]. People were really drawn to that," Gray said. Harold, who lives at home with her parents, said her belief that "it is incumbent upon each person to be involved in the democratic process and to be an agent for change" pushed her interest in politics. Julia Algya, of the conservative Eagle Forum, says Harold is a leader, calling her "very gracious and humble and very passionate about the issues." Now this leader appears destined for a trip to New York with the Republicans. She hasn't met President Bush, yet. But Harold had high praise for his education policy and the direction Bush is taking the party. "I really appreciate the principles of the Republican Party," she said. "Especially ... the outreach being done to appeal to young women and minority voters." State Republicans are thrilled to have her, too. "She's going to add a lot of youthful enthusiasm to the process," said Jason Gerwig of the Illinois Republican Party. Party officials said they hope the former beauty queen is more than just the convention's babe of the week. "She's someone we're excited to have in the party. I am not sure what her future plans may be, but we'd certainly love to have her stay involved," Gerwig said.