A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Friday, July 2, 1999

John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe all get some major style points for passing away on the Fourth of July. But they're no Tom Bolack, the late New Mexico governor whose ashes are being shot up in a firecracker and exploded over his family's ranch on Sunday. Bolack, who was governor for only 32 days in 1962, died last year at age 80.

"He doesn't take himself too seriously. But when you're running for president, leader of the free world, at some point you have to." – Unnamed friend of Texas Gov. George W. Bush, on the GOP presidential candidate's recent geographical gaffes. (Los Angeles Times, July 1))

• Ex-Governor To Light Up July 4 Sky (Albuquerque Journal, June 29)

While the second, third and fifth presidents all died on Independence Day, candidates vying to become the 43rd president will cram into Iowa and New Hampshire this weekend for several holiday gatherings. Gary Bauer, Pat Buchanan, George W. Bush, Elizabeth Dole and Bob Smith are all scheduled to do folksy things in New Hampshire. Among the hot holiday happenings are Merrimack's Second Annual Bathtub race and the Granite State Straw Poll and Cookout at the Hopkinton fairgrounds.
• Buchanan's Weekend Schedule (Buchanan 2000)
• Upcoming Events (Town of Merrimack)
• Calendar of Events (Hopkinton State Fairground)

John Kasich and Bill Bradley are both supposed to show up – and maybe even take a few at-bats – at the Shoeless Joe Jackson National Baseball Tournament in Dyersville, Iowa, home of the Field of Dreams movie set. Bradley will also be at the Waterloo 4th of July Celebration at University Museum. Dan Quayle and Alan Keyes are also scheduled to visit Iowa.
• Bradley Releases Iowa Schedule for July 2-5 (Bradley for President)
• Calendar of Events (Dyersville Area Chamber of Commerce)
• Waterloo Metro Areas Events (Waterloo Convention & Visitors Bureau)

Arkansas Gets Governor Three-Year Head Start on Reelection
Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) said Thursday that he would seek reelection in 2002, despite rumors of a potential bid for federal office,
• Huckabee Intends to Seek Re-Election in '02 (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, July 2)

Clintons' Disagreements Could Boost Hillary's Campaign
New York Sen. Charles Schumer (D) said on Wednesday that Hillary Clinton should publicly fight her husband's new Medicare initiative if she wants to join the state's Senate delegation. President Clinton, who might find a martial spat over policy a nice change at this point in his life, said Thursday he would have no problem with criticism from his wife.
• Billy Club: Prez Invites Hill to Slam His Policies (New York Post, July 2)
• Schumer Puts Heat on Hillary (New York Post, July 1)

Ventura, Reform Leader at Odds Over Future of the Party
Use whatever wrestling metaphor you will, but Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura is trying to take national control of the Reform Party away from allies of founder Ross Perot.
• Reform Party Leader Upset With Ventura (The Star-Tribune, Minneapolis, July 2)
• Ventura Seeks to Get Hold on Reform Party (The Dallas Morning News, July 2)

On the home front, Ventura announced this week that his administration was working on a massive overhaul of the state tax structure, to be unveiled in 2001.
• Ventura Unveils Plan for Major Tax Overhaul (The Star-Tribune, Minneapolis, June 30)

Gorton Endangered No More?
Washington Sen. Slade Gorton (R) may join the bald eagle in leaving the endangered species list this week. Members of his 2000 reelection campaign said Gorton had raised $1 million during the first six months of the year, which puts him on pace to double the state's fund-raising record for a Senate race. Earlier in the week, his second-to-last top-tier Democratic challenger dropped out of the race. Gorton is one of eight Senators being targeted for defeat by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
• Gorton's Cache to Set Record (The Seattle Times, July 1)

'Moonbeam' Wants Military Academy for Kids
Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown, the former Democratic presidential candidate and California governor whom columnist Mike Royko once dubbed "Governor Moonbeam" for his many avante garde proposals, said he wants the National Guard to help establish a military academy to serve kids in junior high and high school.
• Brown Sees Military Academy for Teens in Oakland Future (San Francisco Chronicle, July 2)

Iowans Reject Constitutional Changes
Iowans this week reject two changes to the state constitution. One amendment would have required a 60-percent legislative super-majority to pass tax increases. The other would have limited state spending to no more than 99 percent of expected revenues.
• By a Sliver, Iowans Twice Say, 'No' (Des Moines Register, June 30)

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