And the favorite son is ... Bono?

The Rocky

Published July 8, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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PLAYING FAVORITES

We used to hear about "favorite son" candidates at the conventions. What were they, and why don't we have them any more? - M.H.

Favorite son is a term sometimes used to honor any political hero, but in the political convention sense, it refers to a candidate who has the support of a state delegation or of a region but no real shot at winning the nomination. In the old days, when we didn't know who the nominee would be before the convention, a favorite son could use his control of a block of delegates to try to broker a deal, maybe for a nominee or for a plank in the party platform, said Metropolitan State College political science professor Norman Provizer.

Former Colorado Sen. Gordon Allott was a favorite son at the 1964 GOP convention in San Francisco that nominated Barry Goldwater, Provizer said.

* Have questions about the big party here in August? Send them to rudeenm@ rockymountainnews. com.

Mike Rudeen

PENNY'S 2 CENTS

Barolo is ready for Bono. The famed U2 lead singer, left, is rumored to be showing up for the Democratic National Convention Aug. 25-28 here (but no confirmation yet), and if he does, don't be surprised if his famous sun-glassed face shows up for dinner at Barolo Grill. He's dined there twice before - in 1997 and 2001.

"If Bono calls? We'll say, 'Whatever you want.' The chef would cook for him standing on his head. That's a no- brainer," said owner Blair Taylor.

While he's waiting for the call from Ireland, Taylor says he's sold out the restaurant on Aug. 25 (a Monday, when Barolo's usually is closed) to a "political influence group" that asked for televisions in the private room so they could catch the DNC action. Will he break the no-TV tradition? "Are you kidding? Yes, I'm a merchant."

Penny Parker

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