A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

Though the actual details remain to be worked out, the campaigns of New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (R) and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton (D) reached an agreement Wednesday on the first of what is expected to be a series of fall senatorial debates. The event will be carried on NBC affiliates across New York state and moderated by Tim Russert, host of the network's "Meet the Press." Clinton has also accepted an invitation for a second debate sponsored by ABC and the League of Women Voters, though Giuliani has yet to respond to that offer.

"This year, it's about defeating Hillary, stupid." Thomas Cook, a New York County chairman of the state Conservative Party, on why he's formed a committee to help N.Y. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (R) win the organization's endorsement. (New York Newsday, April 26)

• Clinton and Giuliani Agree to Debate
(The New York Times, April 27; registration required)
• Giuliani and Clinton Agree on Something: One Debate
(New York Daily News, April 27)
• Profile: New York Senate Campaign

In a Wednesday night town hall style meeting, Clinton weighed in on the Elian Gonzalez case, defending the White House and suggesting that Elian's father should resolve the issue by defecting. The first lady also vowed to serve a full six-year term as senator if elected, and not run for president in 2004.
• Clinton to Elian Dad: Stay
(New York Daily News, April 27)
• Town Meeting Opens a New Campaign Vehicle for Mrs. Clinton
(The New York Times, April 27; registration required)

Though Clinton is hesitating, Giuliani is actively pursuing the endorsement of New York's Independence Party, a minor player in New York politics but one that could tip the scales in a close race. The drawback? Being listed on a ticket line headed by presidential candidate Patrick J. Buchanan, who has already received Independence backing.
• Giuliani Seeks Party's Line; Clinton Not Sure
(New York Newsday, April 26)
• Judge Restores Party Leader
(Albany Times Union, April 27)

On Tuesday, Giuliani's top political aide accused Clinton of creative accounting in order to upstage the mayor in fund-raising for the first quarter of 2000.
• Giuliani Aide Calls Fund Totals Deceptive
(Albany Times Union, April 25)

Reaction Predictably Mixed Over Nixing of Ohio State Motto
A federal appeals court panel ruled Tuesday that Ohio's 41-year old state motto – "With God, all things are possible" – violated the Constitution by improperly promoting the Christian faith in the state. The motto is lifted directly from a passage in the Bible.
• Judge Calls It a Promotion of Christianity
(The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio, April 26)
• State Motto Ruled Unconstitutional
(The Columbus Dispatch, April 26)

The ruling has presented a potentially expensive problem for state officials – what to do with official state items emblazoned with the motto.
• State Motto Ruling Called 'No-Brainer,' 'Blasphemous'
(The Columbus Dispatch, April 27)

Gary Bauer 'Stalker' Charged With Voter Fraud
The gay Seattle columnist who tried to infiltrate the presidential campaign of conservative candidate Gary Bauer as an act of protest will be charged with felony voter fraud for allegedly casting a ballot in Iowa's Jan. 24 caucuses.
• Voter to Face Fraud Charges
(Des Moines Register, April 25)