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By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Monday, May 10, 1999

This year's Iowa Republican straw poll may be more accurate than the 1995 version, but it probably won't be nearly as much fun. The Republican state central committee on Sunday approved a ban on out-of-state voters at the Aug. 14 tally. In 1995, Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Tex.) hauled in all sorts of people, including Charlton Heston and Mike Ditka. Michigan businessman Morry Taylor lead a convoy of 100 female bikers to support his candidacy.

"He's only a name in a newspaper rather than a physical body." – Lorna Burnside, a county politician in Iowa, criticizing John McCain's lack of campaign appearances in the state. (The Arizona Republic, May 10)

• This Year's GOP Straw Poll Open Only to Iowa Voters (The Des Moines Register, May 8)

Candidates Turn Attention to N.C.
Even though North Carolina voters will play no role in selecting their parties' presidential nominees – the state primary isn't until May – three presidential candidates will be there this week asking for money. Dan Quayle courts Republicans on Wednesday, Al Gore hits town on Thursday and Bill Bradley wraps up the week at a fund-raiser before he gives the commencement address at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Meanwhile, Raleigh Mayor Tom Fetzer, considered a top-notch GOP gubernatorial candidate until he bowed out, endorsed the presidential candidacy of Texas Gov. George W. Bush.
• Under the Dome (The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C., May 10)

Campaign 2000: Sen. Gorton Dodges Tough Challenger
U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) said on Friday that he would not challenge Republican Slade Gorton for his seat in the Senate. Gorton, considered by some to be one of the most vulnerable incumbents, is looking like he may have an easier road to reelection after the two most highly regarded potential Democratic challengers have said they would not seek his seat.
• Smith Won't Run Against Gorton After All (The Seattle Times, May 7)

California Republican Won't Help White Male Candidates
California state Sen. Jim Brulte (R), one of the state party's leading strategists, said he would only give money to the primary campaigns of women and minorities in 2000. He handed out more than $500,000 to candidates in the 1998 elections. The California GOP has come under fire in national publications recently for its poor showing last year.
• GOP Senator to Focus on Women, Minorities (Los Angeles Times, May 9)

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