FLIPPING OUT. Democrats once used a person in a chicken costume to stalk former President George Bush during the 1992 campaign. Now, Pennsylvania Republicans are using someone in a dolphin costume to go after presumptive Democrat presidential nominee John Kerry.
The Capitolwire.com Internet site reported last week that Flipper made his first appearance during a recent Kerry rally at the University of Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania GOP Committee Chairman Alan Novak promises Flipper will show up regularly at Kerry's Pennsylvania visits.
"John Kerry has flip-flopped his way through this campaign," Novak said. "He has a bad habit of saying one thing and then changing his opinion to appease one particular group or another. America needs a leader, not someone who lacks the conviction to take firm positions on the critical issues facing our nation."
One possible attendee at the Kerry speech is Flipper, a man dressed in a dolphin costume who accuses Kerry of being a "flip-flopper" on the issues. CBS News’ Steve Chaggaris notes that Flipper made an appearance during a Kerry event in Harrisburg, Pa., on Thursday. "Interestingly, Flipper, who first made an appearance in Palm Beach County on April 19, has his own press folks who sent out a release on his behalf Thursday. 'Flipper to Join Kerry at Harrisburg Visit,'" read the release adding, "(Pennsylvania) Republican State Committee Chairman Alan Novak warned residents of Central Pennsylvania to be on the lookout for a flip-flopping Presidential candidate from Massachusetts,'" Chaggaris reports.