SENDING THE ANCIENT MARINER AN ALBATROSS :

GOP sends Bowles a message via Tammy Wynette (Charlotte News and Observer, August 12, 2002)

In a bit of political theater, the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee in Washington last week shipped a copy of Tammy Wynette's album, "Stand By Your Man," to Erskine Bowles, a Democratic Senate candidate in North Carolina. The 1968 album contains the hit single by the same name.

The gesture followed news reports that Bowles, a former White House chief of staff, had been embracing the economic achievements of the Clinton administration on the campaign trail. Bowles has avoided mentioning his former boss in most other contexts.

Of course, Mr. Clinton is more famous, or infamous, for crooning another Tammy Wynette hit. Supposedly--I think it's in First in His Class by David Maraniss--back when they were all in still in Arkansas, he sang "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" in front of Hillary and a young Chelsea at some holiday function. Posted by Orrin Judd at August 12, 2002 9:44 PM