Fox News' Brit Hume delivered the retraction on previous reports that the cookies were done and Teresa Heinz Kerry's Pumpkin Spice Cookies had crumbled. Not so. According to the magazine, the winner will not be announced until the November issue. "Hope is on the way."

For those of you who don't take First Lady cookie contests seriously, you should. "So far, the cookie contest has predicted the winner in the last three presidential elections", says Susan Ungaro, Editor-in-Chief of Family Circle. According to Ungaro, Hillary Clinton remarking about her career in which she said, "I could have stayed at home and baked cookies and had teas." became the impetus for the contest. Clinton went on to win with her chocolate chip cookies despite the remark and show downed then first lady Barbara Bush and later in 1996 left Elizabeth Dole in a sticky situation with her pecan rolls.

I just love baking cookies and just love cookie contests and suppose that First Lady Laura Bush and aspiring First Lady Teresa Heinz Kerry just love cookie contests too. After all, what better way to find out what these two well educated and professional women can accomplish than having them participate in a cookie contest? It's exhilarating.

Here are some remarks by the First Lady at Media Availability in Des Moines Bland Children's Hospital recently:

Q There will be a presidential debate. There will likely be a vice presidential debate. Do you think there should be a First Lady -- MRS. BUSH: No, I don't. (Laughter.) Thank you very much for mentioning it. I just don't think that's actually necessary. Right now, we have a contest. It's the Family Circle cookie contest going on. So I'm glad we don't have to debate.

As for the spicy Mrs. Heinz-Kerry, we hear that her cookie recipe was so gross that she let her staff take the blame for sending it.

According to an article by Marian Burros, Food Critic for the New York Times, "Mrs. Heinz Kerry had originally submitted a recipe called Yummy Wonders, but, according to Family Circle, its test kitchen said the recipe did not work. When the magazine called her press office and asked if there had been a mistake, the press office sent the pumpkin cookie recipe without consulting her, said her press secretary, Marla Romash." So much for having all that dough.

I don't know about you, but I'd welcome a George W. and John F. duke out in a studio kitchen. Just imagine the possibilities: John Kerry's Swift Boat Cookie Rounds vs. I'm George Dubya Bush and I Approve This Cookie.

I seriously doubt that the Founding Fathers sat around in sweaty wigs and bibs so that Bo Derek, Tom Selleck, Kelsey Grammer, Robert Duvall, Dennis Miller, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Brittany Spears and Bruce Willis would have to zip it.

When comedian Dennis Miller started toying with the idea of running against California democrat Barbara Boxer, Boxer's press secretary had this to say as reported in the LA Times: "The Republican party has gone through a desperate search to find someone who is remotely credible; they've looked at everybody and everything and they couldn't find anybody, so they're looking at bringing in the circus," Behr said. "I think the public has always registered how they feel about Dennis Miller, and that's why he got booted off 'Monday Night Football.": Just to be "fair and balanced", the Democrats just welcomed talkmeister Jerry Springer into their fold as a delegate from Ohio at the recent Democratic Convention. Go figure.

With the Republican Convention on the horizon, I decided to find out for myself what it was like to be young, famous and Republican in Hollywood by chatting with Barret Swatek who plays the role of Cheryl in the weekly WB hit series "7th Heaven".

Q: Why is there so much animosity toward conservatives in Hollywood and is there pressure to reverse course? A: Well, I feel the number one reason for animosity towards conservatives in Hollywood at the moment is simply because conservatives are in power. Hollywood is, unfortunately, a very concentrated example of the percentage of the country that hates Bush. It's just amplified because it's Hollywood. But I don't blame Hollywood Liberals for hesitation among Hollywood Conservatives to express their views. I blame my fellow conservatives. You've got to stand-up to a bully or you'll never get the right of passage - Follow our President's motto.

Q: What were the politics in your house growing up and how has that influenced you? A: I grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. My entire family are conservative Republicans. My brother Dax Swatek happens to be a political strategist for Republican politicians such as Congressman Mike Rogers and Governor Bob Riley. But my family has always encouraged us (both my brothers and myself) to form our own opinions based on the values they instilled in us growing up. We did, and we are all strong Republicans (guess speaks quite well of our values:)

Q: When did you become a Republican and how personally difficult is that for you in LA? A: I've been a registered Republican since I was eighteen I believe. It's not difficult for me in LA. People don't like my views - I don't care. It is nice to have a boyfriend who happens to be a republican, less arguments.

Q: Why are you a Republican? Why do you support George W. Bush? A: I am a Republican because I believe in limited government, lower taxes, and a strong military. I support President Bush because he is a strong leader whether you agree with him or or not (I happen to agree). He doesn't waver. The decisions he makes are firm, sound, and with the American people's interests at heart.

Q: Have you ever been harassed because of your views? A: Yes. I have had my Bush/Cheney bumper sticker ripped off my car twice. I have had my car vandalized because of my bumper sticker. And I have been called a (sorry folks, you'll have to use your imagination.... let's just say that the f-ing part runs the alphabet from a-s and hope that Barret doesn't mind my leaving out her personal favorites) by fellow drivers all over LA.

Q: Are you aligned with all of the Cabinet Members? Please refer to pros and cons. A: Yes I am. And being from the south, I am so pleased to finally see more women and minorities in this Cabinet than any other in history. Especially National Security Adviser Condeleeza Rice who is also a Birmingham native.

Q: Were you for or against the Iraq War? Do you have friends over there? A: I feel the war in Iraq was essential. I am aware Hussein had nothing to do with 9/11 BUT in a post 9/11 world we CANNOT take chances. I don't want a President in power who does frankly. I had a family friend in Iraq - John Ryan Nader. he's back home now.

Q: A lot of young people are afraid of the possibility of reinstating the draft. How do you feel about it and is this a subject of conversation amongst your peers? A: This administration has repeatedly said they cannot imagine a draft being possible. That being said, I suppose it is a tool that must be used but only in extremely severe circumstances. The draft never seems to come up in conversation with any of my peers conservative or liberal.

Q: Will you be participating in the RNC convention in NYC and if so, how were you approached and by whom? What role will you play? A: I am thrilled to be participating. The details are still being worked out. But I plan to be there, helping in whatever capacity I can, with bells on. NYC happens to be my favorite city in the world (besides Birmingham).

So take that all you wimpy conservative Hollywood scaredy-cats! And all this time I was faulting the Dems.

Well, gotta go now........ don't have to worry about Freedom of Speech in Hollywood after all! So that's all folks!