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Molinari story goes to pot

NEW YORK

Days before she is to give the keynote address at the Republican National Convention, Rep. Susan Molinari’s pot-smoking story went up in smoke.

The GOP’s rising star recently admitted experimenting with marijuana while in college and said, “It was the wrong thing to do.”

But during a 1992 Staten Island Cable TV interview, the New York congresswoman stoutly denied ever smoking pot.

Around the time President Clinton was being ridiculed for admitting that he had tried it but hadn’t inhaled, a straight-faced Molinari told an interviewer that she didn’t want to embarrass her dad, longtime Staten Island GOP political leader Guy Molinari, according to a videotape obtained by New York 1 TV.

“No,” Molinari declared when asked point-blank if she’d tried marijuana. “You have to understand … I was born and raised Guy Molinari’s daughter.”

But just last month, Molinari, 38, joined the growing list of politicians who have admitted puffing pot, which also includes House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., and White House spokesman Mike McCurry.

Wednesday night, Molinari admitted she had goofed in 1992. “I guess I panicked. It was an initial panic to a question that I believe every person in America dreads.”

Molinari said lying “was a stupid thing to do.”

Molinari’s admission came after the New York Observer had published a profile of “Mustang Susan,” in which college pals said Molinari went to Bruce Springsteen concerts and smoked “the occasional joint.”

A card from Ross

DENVER

Dick Lamm’s shoestring presidential campaign ran into the Ross Perot steamroller again Thursday, this time a nationwide mailing from the Reform Party office urging members to watch Sunday’s first-ever convention.

The problem?

The postcard features a picture of Texas billionaire Perot, the guiding force behind the party, twice using his name and urging members to “cast an informed vote for your presidential candidate!” Nowhere did the party’s mailing mention its other candidate, Lamm.

“Here we are three days out from the convention and this hits the streets,” said Tom D’Amore, Lamm’s senior campaign adviser.

Seeking rescue from nunchucks

SAN DIEGO

Anti-abortion activists from Operation Rescue confronted Mayor Susan Golding at City Hall on Thursday, demanding a ban on a controversial police control technique against protesters during the Republican National Convention.

Golding emerged from her office and spoke with them about nunchucks, modified martial arts weapons used to force activists to move without having to be dragged.

Jeff White, California director of Operation Rescue, said they want Golding to ban the use of nunchucks, which consist of two plastic rods connected by a braided nylon cord. It is legal only for police to possess them.

When applied to the wrist or arm with a twist, a nunchuck can cause intense pain, intended to force protesters to move.

Barry to attend GOP fest

SAN DIEGO

Some delegates to the Republican National Convention here are facing a social dilemma Sunday night: whether to attend the Salute to (House Speaker) Newt Gingrich at Sea World or the reception being held by Marion Barry, the Democratic mayor of Washington.

Barry - whose city is a poster child for Republican crusaders against bureaucracy, crime, Democrats and, for that matter, Washington - has invited delegates and other officials to his own Republican party at a gallery here.

“He’s in the wrong city at the wrong time,” said Bunny Chambers, a delegate from Oklahoma City.

But Raymone K. Bain, Barry’s spokeswoman, said the mayor’s party has two purposes: “to promote the city and dispel the rumors that Washington is a dirty place, an unsafe place” and to “meet with and greet the heads of the committees that are making the major decisions affecting the city.”