A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Monday, March 15, 1999

It's becoming an almost daily event. A Republican governor or state legislative delegation endorses Texas Gov. George W. Bush (R), who has not even announced his official candidacy for the White House yet. But this one is different. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, who writes in the New York Times today that the GOP needs to reclaim environmental issues, is one of several people being considered a possible Bush running mate.

"Before I became your congressman, I was a doctor. So let us talk about healing – political healing." – Rep. Greg Ganske (R-Iowa), in 320 showings of a new television ad that shows Ganske with Vice President Al Gore and Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack (D). (The Des Moines Register, March 15) .

• Pennsylvania Governor Says He Backs Bush (The Dallas Morning News, March 13)
• Needed: A G.O.P. Environmental Identity (The New York Times, March 15)

Maine GOP Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins also endorsed Bush.
• Bush Run for White House Gets Maine GOP Support (Press Herald, Portland, Maine, March 15)

Lowey May Be Less Likely Than Clinton to Make N.Y. Senate Bid
Pundits and journalists have said a lot about First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton's indecisiveness driving other Democrats away from the 2000 New York Senate contest, but Rep. Nita Lowey may not run regardless of Clinton's choice. Lowey has been frequently dubbed the race's lady-in-waiting.
• Lowey May Well Sit Tight (The Times Union, Albany, March 15)
• Distrust Keeps Senate in Limbo (The Birmingham News, March 11)

Arizona Governor Remains Hospitalized
Arizona Gov. Jane D. Hull (R), who entered a Phoenix hospital on March 2 for a kidney infection, remained hospitalized on Sunday. A spokeswoman said Hull wants to be back at work by Tuesday.
• Hull Doctors Noncommittal on Date for Hospital Release (The Arizona Republic, March 15)

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