The GOP's favorite "Democrat"

Mild-mannered southern gentleman Zell Miller, given a high-profile speaking slot at the Republican National Convention last year, is much loved by Republicans for his consistent record of voting with Bush. After retiring from the senate, he was even given a job at Fox News. But Zelly-boy has more in common with Republicans than they might have guessed:

Miller has been caught with his hand in the taxpayers' cookie jar - sort of.

When this nationally famous figure left the governor's office in 1999, he pocketed more than $60,000 in taxpayer funds earmarked for entertainment and other expenses at the Governor's Mansion, WSB-TV investigative reporter Dale Cardwell revealed last week.

Miller also picked up a check for more than $20,000 for "unused leave"-a sum to which he was not entitled as a constitutional officer, Cardwell also reported. . . .

Never mind that every other living governor from Jimmy Carter to Sonny Perdue told reporter Caldwell [sic] that they did not consider the mansion money theirs-and that they would not have taken it. The cash was meant for use at the mansion, not for lining the occupants' pockets, they said.

Yes, he's right at home under the Republican big top.