A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Monday, July 27, 1998

In an effort both to align Asian Americans with the GOP and to knock off one of the most liberal senators, national Republican leaders said they will throw all of the party's weight behind California Republican Matt Fong in his race against Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.).

"Nobody pulls Republicans together like Barbara Boxer....She is to the Republicans what [Republican Sen.] Jesse Helms is for the Democrats." – Republican consultant Ken Khachigian. (Los Angeles Times, July 27)

Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), fund-raising co-chairman of the of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said Boxer is the group's top target in the country. But while her staunch liberalism may make her a vulnerable incumbent, she has a strong financial advantage over Fong. As of July 1, Fong had $215,000 to Boxer's $3.9 million.

GOP Throws Weight Behind Fong's Race (Los Angeles Times, July 27)
Key Races: California Senate (washingtonpost.com)

TV Ads Begin in What Could Be Most Expensive Ballot Fight Ever
The $1-million-a-week TV ad campaign over California's Proposition 5 has begun. The measure, which seeks to expand the gambling operations of California's tribes, is likely to become the most expensive initiative battle in a state known for its carpet-bombing political air wars.
Tribes, Casinos Roll Dice With Early Ad Blitz (Los Angeles Times, July 27)

Little Enthusiasm for Citizen Initiatives in Mississippi
While citizen initiatives are frequent and expensive contests in states such as California and Oregon, direct democracy seems to be faltering in Mississippi. Since adopting ballot initiatives in 1992, only two of the 15 proposed measures have made it to a vote.
Citizen Lawmaking Proves Difficult (The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, July 27)
Initiative States Ranked in Order of Use, 1898-1996 (National Conference of State Legislatures)

N.C. Governor Denies Report That Bowles is Anointed Successor
North Carolina Gov. James B. Hunt (D) said a report in the July 27 edition of Newsweek that he "has promised to turn over his formidable political organization to [White House Chief of Staff Erskine] Bowles" is not true. The report is part of growing spreculation over who will be the Democratic nominee in 2000. Hunt has occupied the governor's mansion for all but eight years since 1976 and is term-limited from running again.
Hunt Says No Anointed Successor (The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C., July 27)

Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Call for State Health Care Laws
Arizona Democratic gubernatorial candidate Paul Johnson and Connecticut Democratic gubernatorial candidate Barbara B. Kennelly are calling for new state laws regulating health care. Johnson's call for a special legislative session on the topic was rejected by Gov. Jane Hull (R). Rep. Kennelly will unveil her plan today.
HMO Session Urged by Johnson (The Arizona Republic, July 27)
Kennelly Backs Right To Sue HMOs (The Hartford Courant, July 27)
Special Report: Managed Care (washingtonpost.com)

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