A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Thursday, July 16, 1998

Chris Gabrieli, a Democratic candidate for Massachusetts's 8th District congressional seat, shouted "Just say no to the HMOs" through a bullhorn on the State House steps Wednesday and vowed to do the same thing every day until the session ends on July 31.

"I don't think you have to have fought in Vietnam to have supported the war. I happen to have thought that World War II was a very important war as well, but I didn't happen to fight in it." – Colo. gubernatorial candidate Bill Owens (R), born six years after the Japanese surrendered. (The Denver Post, July 16)

Candidates this year seem to be taking any opportunity they can find to attack health maintenance organizations. As it happens, the bill which Gabrieli is yelling about in Massachusetts is a state proposal – one he would never deal with if elected to the seat he is seeking in the U.S. House.

Gabrieli Blames Stalled Bill on HMOs (The Boston Globe, July 16)

Illinois Gubernatorial Candidate Wants Chicago Mayor in TV Campaign Ad
Illinois Democratic gubernatorial nominee Glenn Poshard has asked Chicago's influential Democratic mayor, Richard Daley, to appear in a television ad for his campaign. It would be the first time that Daley has appeared in a gubernatorial ad since being elected mayor.
Poshard Asks Daley to Appear in TV Ad (The Chicago Tribune, July 16)

Colorado Republican Says He Has Memory Lapse of Vietnam Years
Forty-seven-year-old Colorado Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Owens said his memory "isn't what it used to be" and that's why he incorrectly told reporters that he had not used college deferment to avoid being drafted into the Vietnam War. Owens was in the same December 1969 draft lottery as President Clinton. Owens dismissed his memory lapse by noting that he led pro-war demonstrations on campus and that he didn't fight in World War II either.
Owens: I Misled on Viet Record (The Denver Post, July 16)
Key Race: Colorado Governor (washingtonpost.com)

McCain Foe Drops Primary Challenge
Phoenix Republican Bert Tollefson on Wednesday dropped his bid for the seat of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). McCain had charged that Tollefson did not have enough valid signatures to be on the ballot.
McCain's GOP Opponent Knocked Off Ballot (The Arizona Republic, July 16)

N.C. Democrat Shies From Nader Endorsement
Consumer advocate Ralph Nader heaped heavy praise on North Carolina Democratic Senate candidate John Edwards at a joint appearance in Washington on Monday. Republican Sen. Lauch Faircloth, who is running for reelection against Edwards, tried to peg the two as a liberal allies, so Edwards's spokeswoman was less than gracious in her acceptance of the endorsement. "We didn't ask to speak with Ralph Nader," she said.
Nader Praises Edwards (The News & Observer, July 14)
Key Races: N.C. Senate (washingtonpost.com)

S.C. Senate Candidates Clash Over Crime
The string of almost daily fusillades in the South Carolina Senate race continued Tuesday with a shot from Democratic Sen. Ernest F. Hollings charging that his challenger, Rep. Bob Inglis (R), is soft on crime.
U.S. Senate Foes Clash on Crime (The State, Columbia, S.C., July 15)
Key Races: S.C. Senate (washingtonpost.com)

Indiana Governor Stands Up to Viagra Mandate
Indiana Gov. Frank O'Bannon (D) on Tuesday fired off a letter to President Clinton saying that a federal mandate requiring states to pay for Viagra for Medicaid recipients tramples on states' rights.
State Tries Federal Viagra Plea (The Indianapolis Star-News, July 15)

Marijuana Petition Appears to Fall Short in Nevada
A Nevada initiative to legalize medical marijuana use appears unlikely to be on November's ballot. The secretary of state's office reported on Monday that the measure did not get enough signatures in two counties.
Marijuana Petition Falls Short in Two Counties; Appeals Possible (Las Vegas Journal-Review, July 14)

Fisher Has Rough Week in Bid for Ohio Governor
On Monday, the manager of Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Lee Fisher quit unexpectedly. More bad news for Fisher came Tuesday when the state's Fraternal Order of Police unexpectedly endorsed Republican candidate Bob Taft.
Fisher Campaign Manager Quits for Family Reasons (The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, July 14)
FOP Supports Taft for Governor (The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, July 15)
Key Race: Ohio Governor (washingtonpost.com)

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