In an effort to distinguish himself in a crowded field of nine hopefuls before the September 13 primary, openly gay Manhattan Borough President candidate Brian Ellner has produced an ad getting attention for both its graphic depiction of George Bush as an emperor with no clothes, and for the appearance of Ellner’s partner Simon Holloway.
Ellner told the NYT, “Just like everybody from Speaker Miller to President Bush to everybody else in between, I wanted to introduce the person I share my life with,” he said. (The president and Gifford Miller, the City Council speaker, have appeared with their wives in political advertisements.) I think it’s important to break down this barrier as we continue to break down other barriers.”
Ellner’s ad spot has perhaps little to do with the day-to-day responsibilities of an acting borough president which include serving as advocate for Manhattan in the city’s budgeting process, reviewing private and public land use proposals, introducing legislation to the City Council, and making several appointments on city-related boards.
It does, however, stand out to the liberal and gay constituency which Ellner is courting heavily in his campaign. And for other groups, I think it can only be enlightening for them to see the naked truth.
