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Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan (D) is trying to get the upper hand on education in his campaign to unseat incumbent Sen. John Ashcroft (R).

The two-term governor on Monday unveiled a $50 billion initiative that would use surplus funds to dramatically increase federal education spending but would give local school districts some flexibility in using the money. Carnahan argued his proposal, which he said he would pitch in the Senate if elected, does not allow as many spending freedoms as a plan supported by Ashcroft but would still allow funds to be earmarked where there is need.
• Carnahan Wants $50 Billion for Nation's Schools (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 09/19/00)
• Carnahan Proposes $50 Billion of Nation's Budget Surplus for Local Schools (Kansas City Star, 09/19/00)
• Profiles: Gov. Mel Carnahan | Sen. John Ashcroft
• More Coverage: Mo. Senate Race

N.J. Senate: Corzine Discloses Donations; Electorate Undecided

Even as N.J. Senate candidate Jon Corzine (D) relented Monday and made public his charitable donations over the past two years, opponent Bob Franks (R) and other Republicans continued to hammer Corzine on his refusal to release personal tax records and his holdings.
• Corzine Discloses Donations (Trenton Times, 09/19/00)
• Corzine's Charity List Includes the Politically Helpful (Newark Star-Ledger, 09/19/00)

Latest survey numbers show Corzine holding a wide, but shaky, 15-point lead over Franks, with 21 percent of New Jersey's electorate still undecided.
• Poll finds Corzine's Lead Less Than Solid (Newark Star-Ledger, 09/17/00)
• More Coverage: N.J. Senate Race

Neb. 2nd District: Gore Within Range

George W. Bush holds a comfortable lead in Nebraska, but state Democrats are buoyed by recent poll numbers. In Nebraska, as well as Maine, electoral votes are awarded to the winner in each congressional district.
• A Margin of Hope for Gore in Nebraska (Omaha World-Herald, 09/19/00)
• Poll: Gore Could Take 2nd District (Lincoln Journal Star, 09/19/00)
• Profile: Mo. 2nd District

Michigan: Voters, Democrats Gaining Confidence

Confidence in the economy is among a number of factors giving Michigan Democrats more reason to think Gore can carry the critical swing state — a thought that seemed far-fetched not so long ago.
• No Worries on Economy, Michiganders Say in Poll (Detroit Free Press, 09/18/00)
• Democrats Cautiously Optimistic as Race Heats Up (Associated Press, 09/14/00)
• More Coverage: Michigan at a Glance

California: GOP Stops Playing Nice With Gov. Davis

California's only statewide-elected Republican, Secretary of State Bill Jones, signaled the possible end of the GOP's soft handling of Gov. Gray Davis (D) over the weekend when he hit the governor on leadership and integrity issues.
• Romance Dies in the Honeymoon of GOP and Davis (Los Angeles Times, 09/18/00)
• Profile: Gov. Gray Davis

"After a year on the campaign trail, George W. Bush does not have a single major policy position that survived Labor Day." – Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), sparring with Michigan Gov. John Engler (R) on "Meet the Press" over policy differences between Bush and Gore.
• Engler Criticizes Gore
(Detroit Free Press, 09/18/00)

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