‘94 postscripts: In two debates with challenger Mitt Romney, Sen. Ted Kennedy insisted on extra-wide lectern to hide “girth,” as press delicately put it . . . “An embarrassment of riches” was how Don Gorton of the Greater Boston Gay-Lesbian Political Alliance described group’s dilemma in choosing between gubernatorial challenger Mark Roosevelt—Democratic state legislator who fought for homosexual-rights bills—and incumbent Republican William Weld, whom Boston militants call “the most pro-gay governor in the country.” . . . N.Y. Gov. Mario Cuomo had his bizarre moments during final weeks as he lamented he was not writing his own TV ads, asked Madonna at a Clinton fundraiser to tell wife he was a sex symbol (Clinton also asked singer for autograph for daughter Chelsea), and had two stormy exchanges with N.Y. Daily News owner Mort Zuckerman, which led to News’s endorsement of opponent, George Pataki . . . Best discarded name for Senate political committee: Women for Huffington decided against calling selves “California Babes for the Stud-Muffin.” . . . Best quote: Senate candidate Rep. Jon Kyl (R., Ariz.) said voters “don’t believe the government can do anything right including give away money.” . . . Breakthrough for GOP: It has 17 black candidates running for Congress . . . The Day newspaper in New London, Conn., quotes sources saying state’s Mashantucket Pequot Indians, who run only gambling casino in New England, were so concerned about GOP gains they were planning making first contribution to Republicans . . . One possible target of GOP forces in Congress may be anti-smoking crusader FDA chief David Kessler, whose agency started silicone-breast-implant scare two years ago. Two large studies released in October confirmed results of earlier but smaller studies showing no tie between connective-tissue disease and implants.
‘96 presidential speculation already under way. Likely GOP entrant Jack Kemp clearly helped himself by racking up lOUs with state GOP parties and drawing heavy coverage in final weeks campaigning for Pataki in N.Y. and Jeb Bush in Florida. But did Kemp’s opposition (with Empower America colleague Bill Bennett) to Proposition 187 in California help or hurt chances? Surprise stand by Kemp and Bennett split conservative columnists. Strongly approving: New York Times’s Bill Safire, Wall Street Journal’s Paul Gigot. Strongly critical: Washington Post’s Bob Novak, Washington Times’s Sam Francis . . . Implications for Clinton from camapign were clearly ominous. Rep. Paul McHale (D., Pa.) made opposition to Prez on 15 issues a centerpiece of campaign; Sen. Kent Conrad (D., N.D.) ran TV ads boasting he voted more often with Minority Leader Bob Dole than with Administration.
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