A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

While national leaders either assail or praise the move by the U.S. Justice Department over the weekend to remove Elian Gonzalez from the home of his Miami relatives, the eventual political fallout is likely to remain confined to the Florida region. Sen. Bob Graham (D-Fla.) wasted no time in criticizing the move but may still see his vice presidential odds diminish if anger in the Cuban-American community – now directed at the Clinton-Gore administration – leads Vice President Gore to cede Florida in the presidential race.

The custody issue may have its most direct impact in the Republican primary for the GOP Senate nomination, where U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum (R-Fla.) has used Elian's case to openly court Cuban-American votes.

"I'm shocked that the mayor would call United States law enforcement officers 'storm troopers.'" Howard Wolfson, spokesman for first lady and N.Y. Senate candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton, on N.Y. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's criticism of the Justice Department's handling of Elian Gonzalez. (New York Daily New, April 23)

• Raid Ups the Ante for Florida Races
(The Orlando Sentinel, April 24)
• Fallout Likely to Remain Confined to Florida
(USA Today, April 24)

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) and the state's two senators, Bob Graham (D) and Connie Mack (R), condemned the Justice Department for use of armed guards, while the state's GOP chairman said Attorney General Janet Reno should resign.
• Gov. Bush, Senators from Florida Condemn Sending Armed Agents
(Miami Herald, April 23)

One of the most vocal political supporters of Elian's Miami family does not even come from Florida. Conservative Sen. Bob Smith (R-N.H.) has taken a prominent role in the case, following a pattern of activism in political issues that have little effect on his consituency.
• Bob Smith Rails Against Administration, Defends Role
(Foster's Daily Democrat, April 24)

Giuliani Jumps on Elian Raid, Accused of Playing Politics
N.Y. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (R) seized the Elian issue over the weekend, harshly condemning the Clinton administration two days in a row and using the raid to deflect recent criticism of his handling of New York's Police Department. First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton (D) – Giuliani's Senate race opponent – has yet to comment on the raid, though her campaign accused Giuliani of politicizing the issue.
• After U.S. Agents Seize Cuban Boy, Giuliani Seizes an Issue
(The New York Times, April 24; registration required)
• Giuliani Rips Reno's 'Storm Trooper' Tactics in Raid
(New York Daily News, April 24)

A coalition of black New York police officers said Giuliani was being hypocritical in his attacks on federal troops because the mayor is "muted when it comes to criticizing the New York City Police Department for its use of excessive force."
• Black Officers Assail Giuliani's Stance on Elian
(New York Newsday, April 24)

Trial of Former Louisiana Governor Goes to Jury
A Louisiana jury will begin deliberations today in the gambling corruption trial of former four-term governor Edwin Edwards, a political wizard who's been backed into a legal corner before, but so far, has always managed to escape.
• Louisiana's Glib Ex-Governor Hopes to Beat Rap Again
(The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 24)
• Jury Set to Deliberate Today in Edwards Trial
(The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La., April 24)

Montana Democrat Demands End to TV Ads
Saying a series of ads critical of his position on prescription drug rates are misleading and distort the truth, U.S. Senate candidate Brian Schweitzer (D) of Montana is trying to persuade local television stations to pull the spots, which are being funded by a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying group.
• Schweitzer Demands End to Foes’ TV Ads
(Billings Gazette, April 21)