A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Friday, Feb. 13, 1998

Taking a page from President Clinton's damage-control play book, Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt left Washington to promote his programs Thursday, a day after Attorney General Janet Reno called for an independent counsel to investigate him. Babbitt faces allegations that he lied answering congressional questions about the licensing of a Wisconsin casino. During his trip to Miami yesterday, he doled out $46 million in federal funds for Everglades restoration, said he was "just trying to do my job," and denounced the atmosphere in Washington as "corrosive."

"My earlier unilateral declaration having failed, I will let you torture me for, well, we'll see how long." – Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, after originally telling reporters that he would not answer questions about allegations surrounding his fund-raising. (Miami Herald, Feb. 13)

Politics Invades Babbitt's Everglades Trip (Miami Herald, Feb. 13)

Louisiana's Duke Calls Tactics Unethical
Former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke denounced as "immoral" and "unethical" a possible $500,000 "stop-Duke" campaign by U.S. Rep. Robert Livingston (R-La.). Duke is considering running for Livingston's seat, if the congressman retires this term after nearly 22 years in office.

Livingston has not dispelled rumors that he will retire, and on Wednesday he said "you could certainly speculate" that he would bankroll an anti-Duke campaign. Duke, despite losing three statewide races since 1990, has done well in the 1st District, which Livingston represents.
Duke Says Livingston’s Plan Would be Immoral, Unethical (The Advocate, Baton Rouge, Feb. 13)

Colorado Moves to Curb Militias
In an effort to hinder militia groups operating in Colorado, an ex-Marine proposed a bill in the state Senate Thursday that would outlaw "unauthorized military organization."
Bill Would Curb Militia Activities in Colorado (Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Feb. 13)

Democrats Trial GOP by 2,192 on Nevada Voter Rolls
January registration numbers show that the number of registered Democrats is growing in Nevada. Of the record-high 842,618 registered voters in the state, there are .3 percent more Republicans than Democrats.
GOP Keeps Edge in Voters (Las Vegas Review-Journal, Feb. 13)

Boulder Mayor Announces for Congress
Hoping to become the first Republican to represent Colorado's 2nd District in nearly 25 years, Boulder Mayor Bob Greenlee announced his candidacy Thursday. Boulder resident Larry Johnson is the only other Republican to announce.
Greenlee to Campaign for District 2 Seat (Rocky Mountain News, Feb. 13)