MANITOU SPRINGS, CO -- Hair Consultant candidate Phil McWilliams received a major boast to his campaign today when Ex-Manitou Springs Mayor Bud Ford (see adjacent picture) threw his public support to the young, 23-year-old who frequently "hangs out" in the historic downtown area.

While strumming a guitar behind a beautiful backdrop of hand-crafted dulcimers, Ford said, "I like Phil ... Vote for Phil. With all his cars, he'll be the fastest Hair Consultant ever."

The ex-politician and Jerry Garcia look alike regularly visits this web site and while supporting the local candidate, Ford had conciliatory words towards Phil's principle opponent, Laura "Laloo" Johnson. "I don't know Laloo, (but) I know Phil. I always think it's interesting that you have beautiful women as your Hair Consultants. Why not just date one of them?" said Ford.

Although polling data is sketchy, Phil's campaign to serve as Hair Consultant (i.e. the chief encourager and leader to help Steve grow his hair as long as possible) appears to be gaining momentum. In the past week, he blasted Laura Johnson as a "fluff candidate" and a "phony." To show the "softer side" of himself, photos of his cute dog and himself were also displayed in a pictorial on the front page. Other supporters of Phil are former U.S. Marine Adam Brouillard (whom Steve is playing a 7-year chess match with) and "Desert Bon", an Arizona woman who regularly visits the Friendship Board.

The latest poll indicated Laloo as the front runner with 45% of the vote, Phil with 30% Chris with 2% and 23% were undecided.

With all the positive publicity Phil has enjoyed in the past week, and Laloo's absence from the message forums (because she is visiting her family in Arizona), Laloo has not responded with any formal campaign statements to counterattack Phil's momentum.

To add insult to injury, local Manitou Springs resident and Phil supporter Mark O'Shea (who's 1978 Chevy Truck is photographed on this web site), had sharp words about Laloo.

"I'm sure she's a nice person, but what the hell does she know about Colorado? It's a little sickening to see all those ladies gushing over Laloo on the forums. They're everywhere." he said.