A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Friday, February 5, 1999

With a former wrestling coach as speaker of the House and Jesse "The Body" Ventura in the Minnesota governor's office, the floodgates have opened. One of Ventura's wrestling foes, Bob Backland, has announced he will seek the Republican nomination in Connecticut's 1st Congressional District in 2000.

"To be, really, the first woman candidate who's really qualified is gonna really create a lot of excitement." – Former senator Bob Dole on his wife's presidential ambitions. (The Arizona Republic,, Feb. 5)

• Wrestler Wants to Throw Larson Out of Office (The Hartford Courant, Feb. 5)
• Photo: Backland Puts Ric Flair in a Headlock (Flair for the Gold)

Utah Lawmakers Hold Weekly Web Chat
In conjunction with the state's new cutting-edge digital signatures law, the Utah state legislature will hold weekly online discussions during this year's session.
• Online Chat Sessions Link Public to State Legislators (The Salt Lake Tribune, Feb. 5)

Iowa Democrats Move Up Caucus Date
Because Louisiana Republicans wanted to hold their party's first caucus, Iowa Democrats have agreed to move theirs up to Feb. 7 from Feb. 21. Iowa Republicans advanced their caucus date in an effort to get the jump on Louisiana Republicans, so Iowa Democrats had to go against national party rules to hold theirs on the same day as the state GOP. In any case, Rep. John Kasich (R-Ohio) on Thursday became the first Republican to vow not to campaign for the presidential nomination in any state holding votes before Iowa.
• Vilsack: Democrats' Caucuses Will Move (The Des Moines Register, Feb. 5)
• Potential Presidential Candidate Kasich Backs Iowa (The Advocate, Baton Rouge, Feb. 5)

Arizona Congressman Endorses Quayle
Rep. Matt Salmon, the Arizona Republican who recently proposed putting Ronald Reagan's face on Mount Rushmore, on Thursday endorsed Dan Quayle for the GOP presidential nomination over Arizona Sen. John McCain.
• Salmon Endorses Quayle in Bid (The Arizona Republic, Feb. 5)

Louisianans Will Vote May 1 to Replace Livingston
Louisiana Gov. Mike Foster (R) on Thursday set May 1 as the date of a special election in the 1st Congressional District to replace former speaker-to-be Bob Livingston.
• Foster Sets May 1 for Special Election to Replace Livingston (The Advocate, Baton Rouge, Feb. 5)
• Livingston Plans to Join Law Firm (The Advocate, Baton Rouge, Feb. 4)

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