A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Thursday, July 2, 1998

Governors of 13 western states have agreed to combine their efforts to check the spread of Native American casinos.

"I don't see why he just doesn't keep his mouth shut." – Anita Hill, talking to an audience at Ball State University about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas's recent dissent in a sexual harassment case. (The Star-News, Indianapolis, June 29)

Before ending their annual conference on Tuesday, members of the Western Governors Association approved a resolution asking Congress to block Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt from allowing the spread of the Indian casinos. The resolution also asks the Justice Department to stop illegal tribal casinos from using their profits for lobbying purposes.

Governors Seek to Curb Indian Gaming (The Las Vegas Review-Journal, July 1)

Mich. Democrats: "I-4. Bingo!"
In Michigan, gambling is popular with the political parties, which use bingo games to raise about $1.4 million annually to distribute to candidates. Democrats use the unique fund-raising method more than Republicans. Political bingo is being reviewed by state lottery officials.
Democrats Make Money Off Bingo (The Detroit News, June 29)

Michigan GOP Chairman Wants to Muzzle Fieger
Democrats should tell their bad-boy gubernatorial candidate, Geoffrey Fieger, to zip it, Michigan Republican Party Chairman Betsy DeVos said Wednesday. Fieger, who is seeking his party's nomination to face Gov. John Engler in November, has called the governor "the result of miscegenation between human beings and barnyard animals," among other such pleasantries. A Fieger spokesman promised to play nice – after saying that Engler "would be as happy as a mastodon in whatever it is that mastodons roll in" if Fieger dropped out of the race. The only Democrat who scolded Fieger was Doug Ross, who faces Fieger in the gubernatorial primary.
DeVos Wants Gubernatorial Candidate Silenced (The Detroit Free-Press, July 2)
GOP Seeks Fieger Rebuke (The Detroit News, July 2)
Ross Takes Swipe at Fieger as Suggested (The Detroit News, July 2)

Another Candidate Pushes 'Patient Bill of Rights'
What would a day be without a candidate bashing HMOs? On Wednesday, with Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.) at his side, North Carolina Democratic Senate candidate John Edwards offered his proposal to guarantee patient rights in the era of managed care. Health care is an especially hot issue in North Carolina, where Republican Sen. Lauch Faircloth has accused Edwards of contributing to the cost of health insurance with his legal work.
Edwards Pushes Patients' Rights Bill (The News & Observer, July 2)

Helms: Senators Say He's 'Nice' With 'Strong Backbone'
Members of the U.S. Senate voted North Carolina's other senator, Republican Jesse Helms, the nicest member of their august body, and the one with the strongest backbone, too.
Jesse Voted Nicest Senator (The News & Observer, July 2)

Okla. Democrats Seek Unified Front to Attack Watkins's House Seat
Two leading Oklahoma Democrats urged state Sen. Darryl Roberts to drop his bid for the Democratic nomination in the state's 3rd Congressional District. They would like to see former state Rep. Walt Roberts have an easy primary so he could focus on defeating Democrat-turned-Republican Rep. Wes Watkins in November. The seat is key to Democratic hopes of regaining control of Congress.
Democrats Seek Unity in State's 3rd District (The Oklahoman, July 2)
Key Races: House (washingtonpost.com)

Ky. Tobacco Farmers Wary of McConell's Promises
Farmers in the top-producing burley tobacco state expressed caution Wednesday at promises made by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to fight for the federal price-support system for tobacco. In June, McConnell tried to kill the program.
McConnell Now Vows Fight for Tobacco (Lexington Herald-Leader, July 2)

Congress to Target Oregon's Suicide Law
After twice voting in support of a state law allowing physician-assisted suicide, Oregonians now might have their preference nullified by Congress. One of the first topics that House members will tackle when they return from recess on July 14 is a measure that would prohibit the dispensing of a controlled substance to assist in a suicide.
Congress Looks to Freeze Suicide Law (The Oregonian, July 1)

Intern – Not That One! – Gives Insight Into President's Trip
Twenty-one-year-old Cody Simms, a senior at Kansas University, is an intern for the State Department and helped arrange President Clinton's trip to China. Unlike some interns, Simms is cautious when he talks on the phone because it "might be bugged."
Wichitan Smooths Way for President (The Wichita Eagle, July 2)

Kansas Late-Term Abortion Ban Takes Effect
The Kansas Supreme Court refused to issue an injunction Wednesday against the state's new law that prohibits abortions after the 22nd week of pregnancy. A similar law also survived judicial scrutiny and went into effect in Virginia.
New Abortion Law Quietly Takes Effect (The Wichita Eagle, July 2)

James Victory May Give Momentum to 'Uphill Fight'
Political observers are at odds over whether Gov. Fob James gained momentum for the general election with his victory in Tuesday's Republican gubernatorial runoff or he faces an uphill battle in his campaign against Democrat Don Siegelman.
Win May Give James Momentum (The Birmingham News, July 1)
Some Black Voters Take Part in GOP Runoff (Mobile Register, July 1)
It's the Governor vs. 'The Don' (The Huntsville Times, July 1)

Owens Widens Fund-Raising Gap in Colo. Gubernatorial Race
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Owens raised more than three times as much as any other candidate for governor in June, bringing his campaign account to $524,000 with six weeks left before the primary.
Owens Is Mr. Moneybags (The Denver Post, July 2)
Candidates for Governor Each Get Celebrity Cash (Rocky Mountain News, July 12)

Quayle: Nixon Told Him It's Tough to Be the Veep
Former Republican vice president Dan Quayle told members of the Iowa press on Tuesday that Richard Nixon told him that the vice president always took a beating, and that Al Gore was lucky to have President Clinton around to take the beating.
Quayle Tells C.R. Audience: Nixon Told Him Vice Presidency a Hot Seat (The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, July 1)

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