A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Monday, Feb. 9, 1998

Coloradans learned more over the weekend about Gov. Roy Romer's extended extramarital friendship with a female aide. Eight years ago, the Democratic governor discussed the relationship with the same private investigator who said last week that he made secret video tape recordings of Romer locked in a "six-minute" kiss with former deputy chief of staff B.J. Thornberry. At the 1990 meeting, Romer asked investigator Pete Peterson to find out what a Denver newspaper knew about his long-term affectionate – but not sexual – relationship with Thornberry.

Peterson will not say who hired him to make the recent investigation of Romer, which sparked a story in last week's issue of the conservative Insight magazine. Romer is also chairman of the Democratic National Committee and a vocal supporter of President Clinton.

A statewide poll in Colorado Friday showed that opinions about the relationship were split. Forty-four percent of respondents to the poll, conducted by a Denver television station, said the acknowledgement changed their opinion about Romer. Half said it had not changed their opinion and six percent did not know.

"Part of the problem is that politicians talk in moral terms. They bring their families into campaigns. They make references to high moral values. When they don't appear to live up to them, they are subject to considerable criticism." – University of Denver political science professor Andy Busch (Rocky Mountain News, Feb. 8)

Did Romer Use Private Eye? (The Denver Post, Feb. 9)
Polled Residents Split on Romer (The Denver Post, Feb. 8)
Investigator Defends His Ethics (Rocky Mountain News, Feb. 8)
Private Actions Do Matter (The Denver Post, Feb. 8)
'Open Marriage' Idea Defunct, Experts Say (Rocky Mountain News, Feb. 8)
Higher Standard for Politicians? (The Denver Post, Feb. 8)

Mail vs. Female in La.
Residents of Baton Rouge are charging U.S. Rep. Richard Baker (R-La.) with sending publicly-funded fliers about the accomplishments of Congress only to white voters. Baker called the allegations "absurd." A Baker staff member said women were the only constituents intentionally excluded from receiving the mailing, because it was sent out to "heads of households."
(The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La., Feb. 8)

White House Race Panel to Meet in California
After a lackluster public hearing in Phoenix last month, President Clinton's racial advisory board meets in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday and Wednesday. The meeting is receiving little local press attention.
Panel Meetings On Racial Issues Open to Public (San Francisco Chronicle, Feb. 9)
Historian Brings President's Dialogue on Race to San Jose (San Francisco Chronicle, Feb. 9)

N.D. Governor Has Money, No Race
North Dakota Gov. Ed Schafer (R) amassed more than $122,000 in donations last year, even though he has no plans to run for the seat of Democratic Sen. Byron L. Dorgan or any other office in 1998. Schafer said the money will be used for political trips taken while in office.
Schafer Amassing Campaign Funds, But for What? (The Forum, Bismark, N.D., Feb. 8)