A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Tuesday, October 20, 1998

After a primary season marked by dismal turnout at the polls and concerns that the Clinton impeachment inquiry may turn off voters, political leaders from both parties are working hard to make sure their core supporters make it to the voting booth two weeks from today.

"When the other guys were cashing government checks, he was in the Navy getting dirty and wet." – Lyrics from the campaign song for Minn. Reform Party gubernatorial hopeful Jesse "The Body" Ventura, sung by the candidate to the tune of the "Theme from Shaft." (The Star-Tribune, Minneapolis, Oct. 20)

"Tell every one of your friends Bill Clinton hopes you don't vote," House Speaker Newt Gingrich told a crowd in Cobb County, Ga., this weekend. In addition to his public hand-wringing over a bid for the 2000 Democratic presidential nomination, Rev. Jesse Jackson told members of an African-American church in New Jersey, "This is not about Bill Clinton."

• Jackson Pushes for Turnout to Survive the GOP Deluge (The Star-Ledger, Newark, Oct. 19)
• Gingrich Urges GOP Turnout (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Oct. 18)
• Election? Ho-Hum (The Des Moines Register, Oct. 19)
• Floridians Shunning Political Process (The Miami Herald, Oct. 19)
• GOP Fears Low Turnout at the Polls (The Detroit News, Oct. 18)
• Negative Ads Could Hurt Turnout – or Increase It (The Detroit News, Oct. 17)

Montana Candidate Says Clinton 'Should Be Shot' for Satellite Deal
The Secret Service zeroed in on Bob Davies, a Republican candidate for Montana's District 27 state House seat, after he told diners at a "chili feed/fund-raiser" that President Clinton "should be shot" for aiding the transfer of sensitive satellite technology to China. The comment, made while Republican Gov. Marc Racicot silently looked on, was "kind of a joke," Davies said later.
• Secret Service Tracking Bozeman Politician After Threat (Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Oct. 14)

Barnes Sets Georgia Fund-Raising Record With $1.1 Million Dinner
Diners at Monday night's Atlanta fund-raiser for Georgia Democratic gubernatorial nominee Roy Barnes ponied up $1,000 each and broke the state's single-event political fund-raising record. The $1.1 million raised for Barnes beats the previous mark of $1 million, set last month at an event for state Republicans. Barnes is fighting to keep Guy Millner from becoming the state's first Republican governor this century.
• $1.1 Million Raised for Barnes (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Oct. 20)
• Key Race: Georgia Governor (washingtonpost.com)

Mass. Veteran Surprised to Find Himself on Candidate Camera
A member of a non-profit Massachusetts veterans group said he and other veteran activists were duped into attending a campaign photo-op with Acting Gov. Paul Cellucci (R) on Monday.
• Cellucci Event Irks Some Veterans (The Boston Globe, Oct. 20)

Libertarian 'Party of Free Agency' Aims to Pick Up Mormon Voters
Five months after leaders of the Mormon church said their religion should not be tied exclusively to the Republican Party, the Utah Libertarian Party took out half-page ads in Sunday newspapers which said "It's OK to be a Mormon and a Libertarian." The ad links Libertarian anti-government sentiments to "free agency" – a central Mormon doctrine which states that people have the freedom to choose between good and evil.
• Libertarians Trying to Attract LDS Supporters (The Salt Lake Tribune, Oct. 20)

Air Fares Are Iowa's Hot Political Issue
Arizona Sen. John McCain, a potential Republican presidential candidate, joined Iowa lawmakers complaining about GOP congressional leaders who quashed a measure to increase airline competition and make it cheaper to fly in and out of Iowa, the first state to hold a caucus in the 2000 presidential contest.
• Airlines' Influence in House Infuriates Iowans (The Des Moines Register, Oct. 20)

With 14 Days Left, Faircloth Opts for Tougher Strategist
North Carolina Sen. Lauch Faircloth (R) on Monday hired a new consultant who is known for his tough tactics. Arthur Finkelstein will join the campaign in an effort to boost Faircloth's poll numbers, which have slipped in recent weeks.
• Faircloth Shakes Up His Team (The News & Observer, Oct. 20)
• Key Race: North Carolina Senate (washingtonpost.com)

Debates: Finals in Nevada, Connecticut, Florida
Nevada's U.S. Senate candidates, Republican Rep. John Ensign and Democratic incumbent Harry Reid, argued about the justice system, Social Security and nuclear waste storage in an hour-long debate on a Christian radio station.
• Reid, Ensign Air Disputes on Radio (The Las Vegas Review-Journal, Oct. 20)
• Key Race: Nevada Senate (washingtonpost.com)

Disputes over campaign finance dominated Monday night's debate between Connecticut Gov. John Rowland (R) and Democratic Rep. Barbara B. Kennelly.
• Funding Issue Puts Spark In Final Debate (The Hartford Courant, Oct. 20)
• Key Race: Connecticut Governor (washingtonpost.com)

Florida Sen. Bob Graham (D) and Republican rival Charlie Crist spent their only debate Monday night answering Tim Russert's questions about the Clinton scandal.
• Graham, Challenger Spar Over Issues (The Miami Herald, Oct. 20)
• Elections Guide: Florida Senate (washingtonpost.com)

Tonight's gubernatorial debate between Alabama Gov. Fob James (R) and Lt. Gov. Don Siegelman (D) is scheduled to be Webcast live at 6 p.m. EDT. Viewers can also submit questions to the candidates online.
• Webcast (Alabama Live, 6 p.m. EDT, RealPlayer required)
• Submit Questions: debate@wpmi.com (WPMI-TV)
• Key Race: Alabama Governor (washingtonpost.com)

Ryan Thornburg can be reached at ryan.thornburg@washingtonpost.com