A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge (R), whose national profile continues to rise amid vice-presidential speculation, spoke out Thursday against the abortion plank in the Republican Party's platform, saying the rigid language should be amended or dropped altogether. However, Ridge said he would not fight to change the hard-line stance and urged other abortion-rights supporters within his party to not "get mired down in this issue."

The public comments by Ridge, who will be the host governor for the national convention in Philadelphia this summer, put him at odds with presumptive nominee George W. Bush, who previously said he supports the platform language.

"That's up to Gov. Bush." Former presidential candidate Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), on whether or not he will speak at the Republican National Convention this summer. McCain and Bush agreed to meet May 9 in Pittsburgh. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Apr. 14)

• Ridge Opposes GOP Plank on Abortion
(The Philadelphia Inquirer, Apr. 14)
• Ridge: Change GOP Abortion Plank
(The New York Times, Apr. 14)

S.C. Flag Plan Has Miles to Go
The NAACP wasted no time in flatly rejecting the Confederate flag compromise plan adopted by the South Carolina Senate Thursday. Immediately responding to the bill's passage, the state NAACP president warned lawmakers if the measure became law, the group would expand its economic boycott of South Carolina.
• NAACP Rejects Senate's Flag Compromise
(The Greenville News, Apr. 14)
• NAACP, SCV Both Unhappy
(The Post & Courier, Charleston, S.C., Apr. 14)

The bill, which calls for the flag to be removed from atop the state capitol building and placed near a Civil War memorial on Statehouse grounds, must now withstand what observers expect to be a much tougher challenge in the House of Representatives – especially since many black lawmakers have not warmed to the measure.
• Opposition to Flag Plan Surfaces in House
(The State, Columbia, S.C., Apr. 14)
• Most Blacks in House Oppose Flag Bill
(The Greenville News, Apr. 14)

Giuliani Blames Democrats for Unfavorable Report
New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (R) accused the U.S. Civil Rights Commission of being a "political operation of the Democratic Party" after learning the panel's chairwoman donated money to Hillary Rodham Clinton's Senate campaign. In a delayed report that was originally to have been released today, the commission is expected to be highly critical of Giuliani and the New York City police.
• Rudy Hits Report on NYPD by Clinton Backer
(New York Daily News, Apr. 14)
• Giuliani Rips Civil Rights Commission
(New York Newsday, Apr. 14)

Colorado Senate Votes to Abolish Office of Lt. Governor
After two decades of arguing about the necessity of the lieutenant governor's office, the Colorado state Senate on Wednesday passed a constitutional amendment that would give voters the choice of whether or not to eliminate the position. The House must also approve the measure before it can be put on the November ballot.
• Office of Lieutenant Governor Under Assault
(Denver Rocky Mountain News, Apr. 13)
• Lt. Governor Bill Gets Through Senate
(The Denver Post, Apr. 13)