A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Thursday, July 15, 1999

It may not be a huge concern inside the Beltway or booming Silicon Valley, but the crisis of plummeting farm prices may become a key issue in the Iowa presidential caucuses. In the last week, Gov. Tom Vilsack (D) has asked candidates of both parties to pay attention to the agricultural market, which has seen grain prices fall between 25 and 40 percent during the last two years – the same time the Dow Jones Industrial Average has risen almost 50 percent.

Numbers of the Day New poll numbers from key states N.H.: McCain has moved into second place in GOP presidential campaign poll. (July 15) Ariz.: McCain loses lead in Arizona primary poll. (July 15) Iowa: Bradley trails Gore by 40 points in Iowa. (July 4)

Vice President Gore responded to Vilsack's plea in Iowa campaign appearances this week, though he did not offer specifics. Farmers and teenagers are the only groups of people for whom most Americans think life has gotten worse since the 1950s, according to a recent poll by The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. "Everyone is enjoying prosperity, and they're not," Vilsack said of the state's farmers.

• Gore Backs Farmers (The Des Moines Register, July 15)
• Gore Vows to Battle Farm Crisis (The Des Moines Register, July 14)
• Farmers Plan to Offer Suggestions to Gore (The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, July 14)
• Gore Says Quick Farm Bailout Needed While Long-Term Problems Addressed (Iowa Pulse, July 14)
• Vilsack Says Farm Crisis Rivals '80s', Urges Bailout (The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, July 14)
• Public Perspectives on the American Century (The Pew Research Center on the People and the Press, July 3)

Iowa state political leaders on Tuesday said that the 2000 caucuses would likely be held Jan. 31 instead of Feb. 7.
• Other States Put Pressure on Iowa Caucus Date (The Des Moines Register, July 14)

'My Son Is Alive'
The New York Senate campaign of Hillary Rodham Clinton hit a few snags Wednesday as she fumbled for an answer to reporters' questions on a controversial state commuter tax and alluded to the death of a young man whose mother was sitting in the front row. "Thank God. Amen," the First Lady said when the woman abruptly told Clinton her son was alive and well.
• Flub, Poll Bad News for Hil (Daily News, New York, July 15)
• Hillary's Slip Is Showing (New York Post, July 15)
• Hillary Dodges Taxing Question (Newsday, Long Island, July 15)

Vice President Gore's wife, Tipper, was also in New York on Wednesday, stumping for her husband's Democratic presidential bid.
• Tipper Gore Stumps for the Veep (Times Union, Albany, New York, July 15)

'I'd Be Doggone Pissed Off'
Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch has had to combat a Mormon myth in his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. "The White Horse Prophecy," a 19th Century church belief denounced by modern leaders, says that Mormons will come to the rescue of the nation at a time when the Constitution "is on the brink of ruin." Hatch says his candidacy is not based on any sort of divine inspiration. "If I had a revelation, I'd tell you," he said. "I've never spoken to God. I'd be doggone pissed off if anyone said that."
• Mormon Myth Stalks Hatch in Presidential Race (The Salt Lake Tribune, July 15)

'My Critics Didn't Vote for Me Anyway'
Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura will donate at least $100,000 to charity from his Aug. 22 return to the wrestling ring as a referee. Ventura, who is expected to make more than $1 million from the event, said he wasn't besmirching his office. "I'm not gonna stop having fun," he said. "My critics didn't vote for me anyway."
• Ventura Will Rule the Ring as 'Guest Referee' (The Star-Tribune, Minneapolis, July 15)

'As You Already Know, Aaron Russo Kisses Nobody's Ass'
Aaron Russo, the man who produced the 1983 movie "Trading Places" and won 26 percent of the vote in last year's Nevada Republican gubernatorial primary, said he would leave the GOP and run for congress as an independent. He said he was tired of disagreeing with state party leaders. "As you already know, Aaron Russo kisses nobody's ass," he said.
• Russo Hisses, Kisses Republicans Goodbye (Las Vegas Review-Journal, July 15)

'The First Black Vice President in America'
Two men in Arizona and California are mounting a grass-roots campaign to get Rep. J.C. Watts (R-Okla.) nominated as the Republican vice presidential candidate. "I still believe with all my heart he will be the first black vice president in America and the first black president in America," said Jack Londen, one of the men leading the charge.
• Voters Campaign for Watts (The Oklahoman, July 15)

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) is being coy about her potential vice presidential place on a Gore ticket.
• Feinstein Resists Talk Of Veep Spot (San Francisco Chronicle, July 15)

'We Know the Rules'
Following Friday's fund-raiser sponsored by the insurance industry, California Gov. Gray Davis (D) said he wants the state to move more slowly on health care reform. Not that there's any connection. An insurance spokesman said legislation wasn't discussed at the event. "We know the rules," he said.
• Davis Urges Slowdown on Health Care Reform (Los Angeles Times, July 15)

Davis's honeymoon may be over. After several months of being lauded as one of the nation's most effective and inspiring Democratic up-and-comers, state Democratic lawmakers are frustrated with him.
• Top Democrats Accuse Davis of Usurping Their Authority (San Francisco Chronicle, July 15)

'I Can Make the Liberal Big-Spenders Sweat'
Mississippi Gov. Kirk Fordice (R) called a special session of the state legislature to discuss a tax cut. The meeting was purposefully set for less than two weeks before legislative primary elections. Fordice said he wanted to make tax cuts an electoral issue. "One could say that I can make the liberal big-spenders sweat," he said, "but only the voters can make them perform."
• Governor Calls Special Session (The Sun-Herald, Biloxi, Miss., July 145)

'I Don't Think Arizonans Know Who the State's Second Senator Is'
Arizona's senior senator, Republican John McCain, is seeking the presidency, but Sen. Jon Kyl (R) is being targeted by Democrats who claim he is vulnerable. Democrats have asked Scottsdale attorney Dan Salcito to make challenge Kyl. "I don't think Arizonans know who the state's second senator is," Salcito said.
• Dems Ready to Pursue Kyl's Seat (The Arizona Republic, July 15)

'She Was a Female Jesse Ventura'
Colorado Secretary of State Vikki Buckley died Wednesday morning. She was 51. She suffered from heart disease, according to officials.
• Buckley Dies After Heart Attack (The Denver Post, July 15)

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