Etheridge throws support to Dean in presidential race

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Etheridge throws support to Dean in presidential race

Melissa Etheridge, dually known for her music and openly gay lifestyle, is supporting Democratic candidate Howard Dean in the presidential race.

By Scott Rank
Daily Staff Writer
November 14, 2003

Howard Dean's support rallies have been slowly metamorphosing into rock concerts. With an army of roadies, a strong stage performance and thousands of screaming fans, he has all the right trappings for a rock star. Now Dean can round out his political rallies/concerts with the necessary ingredient: an opening act.

The opener? Melissa Etheridge.

The Grammy award-winning pop artist has cast her support behind the Dean campaign. Etheridge will perform for Dean's political events, and her first rally will occur in Des Moines prior to the Iowa Democratic Party's Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner Saturday.

This isn't Etheridge's inaugural run as a presidential supporter. Her first gig as an opening act was for Bill Clinton in 1992. She then went on tour with U.S Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and U.S. Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.). She recently opened for California Gov. Gray Davis.

Etheridge says she supports Dean because his assertiveness and experience make him the most qualified Democrat to challenge Bush for the White House.

She says after speaking with the man, she realized she had never met somebody so up-front who would answer her completely.

"I was overwhelmed by that," Etheridge says.

(more)

http://www.iowastatedaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/11/14/3fb440953e52f




Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean makes his entrance at the Iowa Democratic Party's Jefferson Jackson Dinner in Des Moines, Iowa, November 15, 2003. Dean is one of several candidates vying for his party's presidential nomination.

REUTERS/John Gress

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. Clinton, Boxer, Feinstein. What's the commonality?

They all won.

Maybe it's somethin'. Maybe it's nothin'.