A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (R) kept Republicans guessing for another day whether he would continue his Senate campaign against first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton (D). At a Monday night fundraiser, the New York mayor told supporters he was still "very much inclined" to stay in the race. Giuliani's comments came hours after a news conference where he announced the cancellation of fundraising trip to California this week.

If Giuliani does remain the race, however, his campaign staff will face the daunting task of keeping their candidate in the public eye as he is forced to scale back campaign appearances for medical treatment.

"I'm not running. I'm not running." New York Gov. George Pataki, on continued speculation he might enter the U.S. Senate race if Rudy Giuliani drops out. Pataki said Monday he plans instead on running for a third gubernatorial term. (Albany Times Union, May 16)

N.Y. Senate Race • Full Coverage | Opinion

• Mayor Says He Expects to Run, but His Backers Are Nervous
(The New York Times, May 16)
• See How Rudy Will Run Now
(New York Daily News, May 16)

As New York Democrats unite behind Hillary Clinton in preparation for Tuesday's state Democratic convention, the first lady picked up a key endorsement Monday from a New York builders union that backed Giuliani in his 1997 mayoral campaign.

• On Eve of State Convention, Clinton Wins Hardhat Group's Nod
(New York Daily News, May 16)
• As Candidate, First Lady Is on a Roll
(Albany Times Union, May 16)
• Dems Unite Behind First Lady
(New York Daily News, May 14)

Oregon's All-Mail Primary Proceeding Smoothly
Faster returns and increased turnout may be two positive effects from Oregon's first all-mail primary vote. Today is the deadline for citizens to return their ballots – there will be no poll voting – and elections officials said early concerns about missing ballots or possible fraud have not materialized.

Though the mail-in system may reverse a downward trend in primary turnout, the lack of a presidential contest or notable statewide races probably will not yield the 50 percent minimum needed to pass various local tax measures.
• So Far, So Good for First All-Mail Primary
(Statesman Journal, Salem, Ore., May 16)
• For Political Candidates, a Final Push
(The Oregonian, Portland, Ore., May 16)
• Voter Turnout Likely to Edge Up
(Statesman Journal, Salem, Ore., May 16)

Some local Oregon organizations have adopted an aggressive ballot collection strategy during this election in an effort to increase voter participation, though many citizens are not comfortable with volunteers going door-to-door to personally pick up ballots.
• Voters Skeptical of Ballot Collectors
(The Register Guard, Eugene, Ore., May 16)
• Full Coverage: Oregon Races

Bush Says He Can Steal Tennessee from Gore
In a weekend interview, Texas Gov. George W. Bush (R) said that with a little help from his friends, he thinks he can carry Vice President Gore's (D) home state of Tennessee in the fall election. Bush expects a boost from the state's two Republican senators, Fred Thompson and Bill Frist, as well as Gov. Don Sundquist (R), whose unpopular drive to implement a state income tax has not endeared him to conservatives.
• Bush Thinks He Has Shot to Beat Gore in Own State
(The Knoxville News-Sentinel, May 14)
• Magazine Calls Sundquist Nation's 'Worst Governor'
(The Knoxville News-Sentinel, May 14)