A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

Dozens of Little Havana residents in Miami are using a weapon they would not have had in their native Cuba – the ballot box – to protest the federal removal of Elian Gonzalez from his relatives' home. On Monday, angry Cuban-Americans vented their frustration at the Clinton administration by severing ties to the Democratic Party and changing their voter status to either Republican or independent. Though the GOP is already the party preference for many Cuban-Americans, the Democrats have been making inroads in the voting bloc. President Clinton took 40 percent of the Hispanic vote in Miami-Dade County in 1996.

"As we prepare to commit social rape on an unwilling citizenry, my Lady of Liberty weeps." Vermont state Rep. Neil Randall (R), wearing a red, white and blue Statue of Liberty tie, denouncing the House vote to approve a landmark gay-rights bill in Vermont. (The Washington Post, April 26)

• Cubans Move to Snub Dems
(Miami Herald, April 25)
• Some Cuban-Americans Retaliating at Elections Office
(Tampa Tribune, April 26)
• Cuban Vote in Florida, Often Crucial, Is Likely to Opt for Bush
(The Boston Globe, April 25)

U.S. Sen. Bob Graham (D-Fla.), often mentioned as a possible running mate for Vice President Gore and a common ally of the Clinton administration, said the president did not follow through on personal assurances he made to Graham on how the Elian Gonzalez issue would be handled.
• Graham: Clinton Ignores Cuba Issues
(Miami Herald, April 25)

In a Tuesday news conference, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) broke three days of virtual silence on the Miami raid, joining the state House speaker in harshly condemning the Clinton administration and U.S. Justice Department. Florida Democratic leaders quickly responded, accusing Bush of "pouring salt on the wounds" instead of going to Miami to help steady the situation.
• Gov. Bush Condemns Seizure of Elian
(Sun-Sentinel.com, April 26)

Vermont Civil Unions Vote Expected to Reverberate With Voters
With Vermont's civil unions bill passing its final legislative hurdle Tuesday, Gov. Howard Dean (D) is expected to sign into law as early as Thursday the nation's first legislation that extends marriage benefits and protections to homosexual couples. Yet the close 79 to 68 signifies a broad divide in ideology that will play an integral role in the state's fall elections.
• Vote Leaves Political Fallout
(The Rutland Herald, April 26)
• House Approves Civil Unions
(The Rutland Herald, April 26)
• Vermont Legislature Clears Bill Allowing Civil Unions
(The Washington Post, April 26)

Two state representatives switched their votes from "no" the first time the House addressed the civil unions bill to "yes" for Tuesday's final approval. Though their reasons were different, their indecision reflected the struggle many lawmakers faced.
• Two House Members Switch Sides
(The Rutland Herald, April 26)

In the state of Washington, proposal similar to Vermont's bill has stalled budget negotiations after Republicans insisted the provision be written into the budget agreement.
• Legislature May Stall Over Gay Partners Issue
(Seattle Post-Intelligencer, April 25)