A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Monday, May 3, 1999

Sure, two-thirds of the Republican presidential hopefuls showed up Saturday for a New Hampshire banquet, but the party's leading candidate made news by not making the trip. Several Granite State voters said they were a little miffed that Texas Gov. George W. Bush couldn't find a sitter for the state legislature – which he has promised to mind until the end of the session later this month.

"Fifty-three? I mean, what does a guy have to do to make the top 50 around here?" – President Clinton, at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, on the rank of his sex scandal among the top 100 news stories of the century. (The Washington Post, May 3)

"I'm sorry to hear Texas is in such difficult shape that the legislature has to convene on Sunday night," candidate Lamar Alexander said before the dinner.

Oh yeah, candidates Patrick J. Buchanan and Arizona Sen. John McCain also skipped the event.

• No-Show In New Hampshire (Austin American-Statesman, May 1)
• By Staying Away, Bush Is the Talk of New Hampshire (The New York Times, May 3, registration required)
• Eight GOP Hopefuls Perform for N.H. Party Leaders (Foster's Daily Democrat, Dover, N.H., May 3)
• NH Republicans Kick Off Primary With Full House (The Union-Leader, Manchester, N.H., May 3)

Strategists See No Groundswell for Pataki Presidency
Despite his history of coming out of nowhere, political insiders say that New York Gov. George Pataki (R) is not a serious national candidate.
• Pataki Tests National Waters, but Barely a Ripple Is Seen (The New York Times, May 3, registration required)

New Mexico Next Up in Voucher Fight
New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson (R) said he would submit a statewide school voucher plan to legislators when they convene Tuesday for a special session. Last week, Florida lawmakers approved the nation's first statewide voucher system.
• Johnson Announces Voucher Plan (Albuquerque Journal, May 1)

Vegas Voters Head Into Vote Citing Sprawl
In a poll leading up to Tuesday's municipal elections in Las Vegas, likely voters said that urban growth is their top concern. The very local issue could make it to the national level if Vice President Gore's "livable communities" campaign theme gathers steam.
• Voters Cite Growth as Top Issue (Las Vegas Review-Journal, April 30)

Cubin Seeks Reelection; Wise Drops House for Gubernatorial Bid
Amid controversy over whether she promised to limit herself to three terms, Wyoming Republican Barbara Cubin said she would seek a fourth term in the U.S. House in 2000.
• Cubin Says She'll Run Again in 2000 (Casper Star-Tribune, Wyo., May 3)

On Monday, 17-year House veteran Bob Wise is expected to announce his intention to seek the Democratic nomination for governor of West Virginia. Former congressman Ken Hechler (D) is among several candidates who are expect to run for Wise's House seat.
• Wise Makes the Leap (Roll Call, Washington, D.C., May 3)

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