The Donald believes in 2nd chances, Tara Conner is a keeper!

My thoughts exactly, an enthusiastic YES!
Seriously, Vanessa Williams already went the Penthouse route, we need a classy Miss USA who'd rather work for another six-months and then maybe consider posing for Hef's magazine instead. Congrats to my girl Tara! Thanks again Donald!

Miss America 2006 Finalists

Just a glimpse of the rest of the talent that Miss Kentucky, Tara Conner beat to earn her tiara and title as Miss USA 2006!

U-S-A...U-S-A, everybody now!

Please keep Tara Mr. Trump! She's not bad, she's just drawn that way! The Bushido is pulling for you Tara!

The Fab Five...Miss America Finalists

If (and that is a big if) Donald Trump says to Tara, "You are fired!" Then the runner-up Miss California Tamiko Nash will take her place as Miss USA.

Happy Birthday Miss America Tara Conner

Ironically with all of the hub-bub about Miss USA's nights on the town, playing kissy-face with Miss Teen USA, failing drug tests and underage drinking threatening the status of her crown (title), today is Miss USA's 21st birthday! Happy Birthday Tara!

Granted all of these sordid allegations (if your famous read: good publicity) will put a damper on Miss Conner celebrating the time-old tradition of getting “housed” on one’s 21st birthday, but the publicity is doing wonders for the Donald and the Miss USA franchise. Think about it, most people (outside of Kentucky and the pageant world) did not know who Miss Conner was until TMZ.com broke the story of alleged lesbian kisses, bar-hoping and cocaine use forcing Tara to turn in her tiara. I only knew of Ms. Conner because of an article I wrote back in November (comparing CofC grad and former Miss USA, Lu Parker against Tara) for the CofC Sports Fan before the CofC v UK basketball game.

Gratuitous plug: please check out the CofC Sports Fan for my attempt at keeping CofC fans and grads in the loop as well as polishing my paltry sports writing skills. (Editor’s Note: I mistakenly wrote that Tara Conner attended the University of Kentucky; she did not, she attended Somerset Community College.)

Tara (pronounced TAR-uh, that’s how they pronounce it in Russell Springs, KY) Conner is a former Miss Young Russell County, former Miss Kentucky Teen USA, the reigning Miss Kentucky and reigning Miss USA. Finally, Tara was fourth in the Miss Universe pageant this past July.Tara, Happy Birthday, and I just want you to know, “the morning I wake-up, and before you put on your make-up…I say a little prayer for you!” I hope you keep the tiara Tara.