Austin 11? - Back in 2000, D.C. council member David Catania, who is openly gay and Republican - took part in a symbolic raprochement between the Bush campaign and conservative homosexuals. He was one of twelve GOP homos to travel to Texas and meet with the governor in a high profile visit that highlighted W's "compassionate" credentials. Among other things, the so-called Austin 12 claim to have obtained Bush's promise not to repeal a Clinton executive order banning anti-gay discrimination in the Federal civilian workplace.

That was then, this is now. In the months since Bush publicly endorsed the Federal Marriage Amendment, Councilman Catania has become more and more outspoken in his opposition to the President. Last week he discovered the limits to tolerance for such behavior in the party. When Catanaia openly opposed Bush's re-election in November, he lost his seat as a delegate to the GOP convention, and now has quit the local party organization.

Meanwhile, the Washington Blade all but outs unmarried Bush campaign manager Ken Mehlman.