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If you've got to spend the weekend prepping for a presidential debate, why not do it in a comfortable climate — and in a state crucial to winning the White House?

With media scrutiny sure to be tight as the candidates prepare for Tuesday night's face-off, Vice President Gore will spend a long weekend in sunny, voter-rich Florida, honing his game plan in a picturesque state full of crucial voters. "Florida is a great place to be this time of year," said Gore spokeswoman Liz Lubow.
• Gore to Combine Debate Practice With a 3-Day Weekend in Sarasota
(Orlando Sentinel, 09/28/00)
• Gore Picks Florida as Place to Prepare for Bush Debate
(Miami Herald, 09/28/00)

Fla. Senate: Nelson Spends Week Wooing

Democratic Senate candidate Ben Nelson (D) spent three days this week trying to win over votes in Florida's notoriously Republican-leaning Panhandle, an area in which he's trailing rival Rep. Bill McCollum and where voters still hold the value of a handshake in high regard.
• Panhandle Is Friendly to Nelson (St. Petersburg Times, 09/28/00)
• Nelson Woos Voters in Panhandle (Miami Herald, 09/27/00)
• Nelson uses Charm, Attacks in Panhandle (Orlando Sentinel, 09/26/00)
• More Coverage: Fla. Senate Races

N.J. Senate: Whitman Working Hard for Rep. Franks

Republican Senate candidate Rep. Bob Franks is getting a lot of help in his campaign against Democrat Jon Corzine from New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman (R), whose decision to stay out of the Senate race set the stage for Franks' nomination.
• Whitman Lends Help to Franks Campaign (Newark Star-Ledger, 09/28/00)
• More Coverage: N.J. Senate Race

One political leader on whom New Jersey Republicans are not counting for support — George W. Bush, whose presidential fortunes have fallen in the Garden State.
• Bush's Absence Has State GOP Feeling Forsaken (Newark Star-Ledger, 09/28/00)
• More Coverage: N.J. State Races

N.H. Governor: Republicans, Good and Bad, Overrun Shaheen Event

Most of the Republicans that showed up at the Tuesday news conference by New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D) were supposed to be there — evidence of bipartisan support for the two-term incumbent's candidacy. But gubernatorial rival Gordon Humphrey (R) crashing the party and trying to steal media attention was not included on the schedule of events.
• They're GOP and Rooting for Shaheen (Concord Monitor, 09/27/00)
• Humphrey Tries to Upstage Shaheen by Again Crashing Press Conference
(Manchester Union Leader, 09/27/00)
• Humphrey Crashes Shaheen News Conference, Again
(Foster's Daily Democrat, 09/27/00)
• More Coverage: N.H. Governor's Race

Ind. 2nd District: Independent Candidate Mixes Up Race

Indiana Republicans originally planned for an easy hold in Indiana's 2nd District, the seat being vacated by Rep. David McIntosh. But the unexpected independent candidacy of a popular former Republican has complicated the task of GOP candidate Mike Pence.
• Independent Puts Life in Race for 2nd District (The Indianapolis Star, 09/25/00)
• 2nd District Race Is One of Details (The Indianapolis Star, 09/26/00)
• More Coverage: Ind. 2nd District Race

"I'm ducking the question." – Bush campaign strategist Karl Rove, when pressed on whether he thinks his candidate would be having an easier time in Pennsylvania if Gov. Tom Ridge were on the GOP ticket."
• Bush Big Sees Last-Second Fight
(Philadelphia Daily News, 09/28/00)

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