A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Wednesday, July 29, 1998

Until this week, the environment has played a relatively minor role in the 1998 federal and state campaigns. Now, all of a sudden, everyone wants to be "Mr. Ozone."

Polling Pulse New polls in some of washingtonpost.com's key races were released Tuesday by Mason-Dixon and local media outlets. Fla. Governor Jeb Bush (R), 54% Buddy MacKay (D), 34% • Key Race Fla. Senate Bob Graham (D), 61% Charlie Crist (R), 28% Ind. Senate Evan Bayh (D), 53% Paul Helmke (R), 31% • The Star-News, Indianapolis • Key Race Iowa Governor Jim Ross Lightfoot (R), 54% Tom Vilsack (D), 31% Iowa Senate Charles Grassley (R), 68% David Osterberg (D), 17% Md. Governor Parris Glendening (D), 48% Ellen Sauerbrey (R), 41% • Special Report N.C. Senate Lauch Faircloth (R), 47% John Edwards (D), 38% • >Winston-Salem Journal • Key Race

President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore will announce the official start of the American Heritage River program on Thursday in the North Carolina mountains. Not coincidentally, North Carolina is home of one of the closest Senate battles in the country.

VIPs Plan to Visit New River (The News & Observer, July 28)
Clinton Set to Stump for Edwards in Raleigh (The News & Observer, July 22)
Key Race: North Carolina Senate (washingtonpost.com)

Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt was in Florida Tuesday, saying Congress did not provide enough money to clean up the Everglades.
Babbitt: Blame Congress for Glades Woes (The Miami Herald, July 29)

As Vice President Gore paid a visit to Illinois Democratic gubernatorial nominee Glenn Poshard on Tuesday, Poshard defended himself against charges from Republican rival George Ryan that he did not support environmental protection efforts.
Poshard Airs a Shot at Ryan (The Chicago Sun-Times, July 29)

Michigan Gov. John Engler (R), up for reelection this year, launched a campaign on Monday to sell $675 million in bonds for environmental cleanup. He named Sen. Spencer Abraham (R) to lead the Clean Michigan campaign.
Abraham Leads Clean Michigan effort (The Detroit News, July 29)

Millner Named GOP Nominee in Ga.
Atlanta businessman Guy Millner on Tuesday laid was finally named the Republican gubernatorial nominee after a recount showed that he had just slightly more than the majority of votes needed to avoid a runoff with former attorney general Michael Bowers.
Millner Takes Spoils in GOP Recount (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 29)
Key Race: Georgia Governor (washingtonpost.com)

Colo. Candidates Agree Not to Use Religion as Political Weapon
Colorado's gubernatorial hopefuls joined other candidates in signing a pact not to use religion as a political weapon. The agreement, put forth by a group of Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders, has been criticized by the Christian Coalition as a front for abortion and homosexual rights.
Politicians Forgo Faith as Weapon (The Rocky Mountain News, July 29)
Group Puts Faith in Civility (The Denver Post, July 29)
Key Race: Colorado Governor (washingtonpost.com)

Calif. Budget Could Miss Second Deadline
California lawmakers are not likely to pass a state budget by the time an emergency spending bill expires on Aug. 5. The fiscal year began without a budget on July 1.
Budget May Miss Target Date (The Sacramento Bee, July 29)

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