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With an overmatched and underfunded campaign war chest, New Jersey Senate hopeful Rep. Bob Franks (R) is trying to beat his free-spending opponent, Democrat Jon Corzine, tactically rather than financially.

Employing a strategy that pounds on Corzine's political missteps in hopes of swaying voters through the media, Franks' GOP campaign is attempting to neutralize the money gap until the final weeks of the race, when Franks can afford to turn to television ads. This week, Republicans have hammered Corzine daily for refusing to release a list of his charitable donations — the latest attack in a line of controversies over Corzine's public handling of his finances.
• Franks Hoping to Use Corzine's Missteps to Trip Him Up (The Star-Ledger, 09/14/00)
• Republican Leader Tries to Force Corzine to Disclose Details of Gifts to Charity (The New York Times, 09/14/00)
• Corzine Delays Listing Charitable Donations (The Star-Ledger, 09/12/00)
• Corzine Not Set to Release Report on Contributions (Bergen Record, 09/12/00)
• More Coverage: N.J. Senate Race

N.Y. Senate: Experts and Observers Size Up Long-Awaited Debate

Republican and Democratic strategists say Rep. Rick Lazio (R) made a strong political move in his debate with first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton (D) by putting her on the spot with a campaign finance reform pledge. But a Daily News/WCBS-TV instant survey in New York found most viewers favored Clinton's performance over Lazio's.
• Rick Scores Points (New York Daily News, 09/14/00)
• Voters Pick Hillary as Winner (New York Daily News, 09/14/00)
• More Coverage: N.Y. Senate Race

N.Y. House Races: Voters Shake Up 1st, 2nd Districts

The fall campaign season started with a bang this week in New York's 1st congressional district, where Democratic voters rejected an incumbent party-switcher, and in the 2nd district, where GOP voters gave party leaders a reason to worry about holding Rep. Lazio's open seat.
• Long Island Voters Show Way to Shocking Wins, Losses (New York Newsday, 09/14/00)
• Forbes' Reality Check (New York Newsday, 09/14/00)
• Israel and Johnson Primary Victors (New York Daily News, 09/14/00)
• More Coverage: N.Y. 1st District | N.Y. 2nd District

Fla. Senate: Debate Turns Ugly Between McCollum, Nelson

Sparks flew Tuesday night as Democrat Bill Nelson and Republican Bill McCollum used a debate that also featured independent and third-party candidates to try and distinguish themselves to voters in one of the year's most crucial Senate races.
• Senate Opponents Trade Fire (Miami Herald, 09/13/00)
• Nelson, McCollum Debate With Venom (Orlando Sentinel, 09/13/00)
• Senate Candidates Trade Verbal Volleys (St. Petersburg Times, 09/13/00)
• More Coverage: Fla. Senate Race

Neb. Senate: GOP Money for Stenberg Expected Soon

With the popular Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.) retiring, Republicans see his open seat as a possible pick-up and key to retaining their Senate majority. So Democrats expect the financial floodgates to open very soon in support of GOP candidate and Nebraska Attorney General Don Stenberg.
• Republican 'Soft Money' Expecte to Arrive Soon (Lincoln Journal Star, 09/13/00)
• More Coverage: Neb. Senate Race

"At least I act grown up." – N.C. gubernatorial candidate Mike Easley (D), in response to Republican opponent Richard Vinroot making fun of Easley's height by calling him a "little fella." Vinroot is 6 feet, 7 inches, and Easley is 5 feet, 10 inches.
• Vinroot Criticized for Quip on Height
(Charlotte Observer, 09/12/00)

Jason Thompson can be reached at jason.thompson@washingtonpost.com. Early Returns runs Monday-Thursday.