A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Jason Thompson
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Friday, October 15, 1999

For Iowa, maybe the fourth time's the charm. The state's Republican and Democratic party leaders announced Thursday plans to shift Iowa's caucus date to Jan. 24, almost a month earlier than originally planned. The latest move is the result of weeks of sometimes contentious debate between Iowa and New Hampshire. After Iowa moved its caucus date to Jan. 31, New Hampshire officials surprised many when they moved their state's first-in-the-nation primary to Feb. 1, creating a bit of a crisis for Iowa.

Iowa officials initially said they would not adjust the caucus date, which had been rescheduled a total of three times, and instead called on New Hampshire officials to change their date. New Hampshire officials refused. With its new date, Iowa must now deal with the headache of rescheduling more than 2,000 meeting sites across the state.

"We've become the haven for hillbilly high rollers." – South Carolina state Sen. Wes Hayes, lamenting the proliferation of video gambling in his state during the last decade. (The Charlotte Observer, Oct. 14)

• Iowa moves Caucuses Up to Jan. 24
(The Union Leader, Manchester, N.H., Oct. 15)
• New Iowa Caucus Date Sends Officials Scrambling for 2,000 Meeting Sites
(IowaPulse, Oct. 14)

N.H. Governor Ready To Endorse Gore
Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) is expected Monday to officially throw her support behind Al Gore's bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. The endorsement by Shaheen, whose husband is Gore's state campaign chairman, could give the vice president a boost in the state's critical Feb. 1 primary.
• Gov. Shaheen to Endorse Gore Monday (The Union Leader, Manchester, N.H., Oct. 15)

Gambling Falls on Hard Times in the South
Two days after Alabama voters rejected a state lottery, South Carolina's gambling industry suffered a potentially fatal blow when a ruling by the state Supreme Court Thursday essentially brings to video gaming to an end. The gambling machines, fixtures throughout state convenience stores and bars, will be illegal as of July 1, 2000. Still to come for South Carolina, though, is next year's referendum on a state lottery.
• Death Blow for Video Poker (The Charlotte Observer, Oct. 15)
• Odds Against S.C. Lottery Rise as Ala. Plan Falls (The State, Columbia, S.C., Oct. 15)
• Siegelman, Aides Ponder Lottery Loss (The Birmingham News, Oct. 14)

First Lady Talks Health Care in New York
Hillary Rodham Clinton gave back-to-back speeches in New York on Thursday, calling again for universal health care and criticizing Medicare cuts her husband endorsed in 1997. Clinton is expected to run for the New York senate seat of retiring Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D) and could make health care one of her central campaign themes.
• Mrs. Clinton Renews Fight for Universal Health Care
(The New York Times, Oct. 15, subscription required)

N.C. Governor Looking for Financial Solutions to Floyd
Even as Hurricane Irene prepares to sweep across parts of the U.S., North Carolina is still reeling from Hurricane Floyd. Gov. Jim Hunt (D) said Wednesday he is likely to call a special session of the General Assembly to discuss ways to raise money for the recovery process, including a temporary tax increase.
• Hunt Likely to Call Special Session
(The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C., Oct. 13)

Jason Thompson can be reached at jason.thompson@washingtonpost.com