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Though political partisans may lament the fact that this year's presidential race is blurring traditional party boundaries, observers can look to Minnesota's Senate race for some old-fashioned hard-line stands.

Neither Republican incumbent Rod Grams nor Democratic challenger Mark Dayton will be spending too much time campaigning in the political center. Both adhere to traditional party lines on hot-button issues, and both are gathering core support in anticipation of a bruising election fight.
• DFLers Unite Behind Dayton's Candidacy (Star Tribune, 09/17/00)
• Minnesota Will Get Classic Political Showdown With Grams vs. Dayton (St. Paul Pioneer Press, 09/17/00)
• Grams Showcases Country Campaign Pitch (Star Tribune, 09/17/00)
• More Coverage: Minn. Senate Race

N.Y. Senate: Lazio Continues Soft Money Stand

Rep. Rick Lazio (R) is continuing his highly public push to ban soft money donations in the New York Senate race, though the campaign of opponent Hillary Rodham Clinton (D) warns that Lazio's words are "empty rhetoric."
• Rivals Battle Over Soft Money and Hard Ads (The New York Times, 09/18/00)
• Fight Continues Over Soft Money (Albany Times Union, 09/18/00)
• More Coverage: N.Y. Senate Race

New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani hit the streets over the weekend, marching alongside Lazio in an annual city parade just one day after a receiving treatment for prostate cancer. Doctors say the mayor's outlook is "excellent."
• Giuliani Parades Support for Lazio (Bergen Record, 09/17/00)
• Giuliani Marches On, One Day Out of Hospital (New York Daily News, 09/17/00)

Calif. Senate: Underdog Campbell Takes a New Path

Lacking in funds, poll numbers and statewide name recognition in his fight to unseat incumbent Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D), Rep. Tom Campbell (R) embarked last week on an aggressive and risky campaign strategy that ignores traditional party lines in favor of taking maverick stands on issues that generate attention.
• Campbell Plays Underdog in Senate Bid (The Sacramento Bee, 09/13/00)
• Less Traveled Path Takes Campbell on Uphill Climb (Los Angeles Times, 09/12/00)
• More Coverage: Calif. Senate Race

N.J. 3rd District: Third-Party Longshots Keep the Faith

As in most House races across the country, the two major-party candidates dominate the scene in New Jersey's third congressional district. But a trio of third-party hopefuls are staying in the race to give voters an option over eight-term incumbent Rep. Jim Saxon (R) and well-funded challenger Susan Bass Levin (D).
• Fringe Candidates Spice Up Race (Trenton Times, 09/17/00)
• More Coverage: N.J. 3rd District Race

Indiana: Bayh Gives A Little Help to His Friends

Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh (D) is not up for reelection this year, but he's not sitting on the sidelines, either. Doing his part to help the Democrats in their bid to win majority status, Bayh is funneling campaign funds to Democratic candidates running for Senate.
• Bayh Helps Bankroll Party's Takeover Bid (The Indianapolis Star, 09/17/00)
• Profile: Sen. Evan Bayh

"I've made mistakes." – N.J. Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, addressing a state NAACP meeting — her first appearance before the group since the public release of a controversial photograph which showed her frisking a black youth.
• Whitman to NAACP: 'I've Made Mistakes'
(Newark Star-Ledger, 09/17/00)

Jason Thompson can be reached at jason.thompson@washingtonpost.com. Early Returns runs Monday-Thursday.