A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Thursday, July 30, 1998

Arkansas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Bristow went to the videotape on Wednesday in his campaign against Gov. Mike Huckabee (R). On Saturday, Huckabee said he had never praised efforts to build a "public Christian school." The replay showed Huckabee doing just that as he spoke to a group called Put God Back in Public School. Huckbee's campaign manager said Bristow was trying to "distort" the governor's words.

"He has great skill in doublespeak, fork in tongue and smooth qualifiers, but the bottom line is his shaky commitments, and, in addition, the current governor lacks a commitment to tell the truth." – Ark. gubernatorial challenger Bill Bristow (D) (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, July 30)

Tape Heats Up Governor Race (Arkansas Democrat Gazette, July 30)

Iowa Democrat Fires Campaign Manager Before He Begins
Getting to work early cost Jason Linde his job as campaign manager for Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Vilsack. Before showing up at his new post on Friday, Linde went over to the headquarters of Republican Jim Ross Lightfoot and posed as a GOP campaign volunteer. Vilsack, whose previous campaign manager left less than two weeks ago, fired Linde on Monday.
Vilsack Campaign Chief Fired for Spying Attempt (The Gazette, July 30)

Wealthy N.C. Candidate Calls for Adless Campaign
Though he has spent nearly $4 million in his bid to unseat Republican Sen. Lauch Faircloth, North Carolina Democratic Senate nominee John Edwards said he wants to take the money he and Faircloth are pouring into ads and buy a series of televised forums. Faircloth's campaign manager called Edwards a hypocrite.
Forums Urged by Edwards (The News & Observer, July 30)
Key Race: North Carolina Senate (washingtonpost.com)

Instead of Resigning, Convicted Congressman Goes to Korea
Just about two months after Rep. Jay Kim (R-Calif.) finished serving a home detention sentence for violating federal election laws, the lame-duck congressman is taking a publicly funded trip to South Korea.
Kim Plans S. Korea Trip With Taxpayers' Money (Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Ontario, Calif., July 29)

Gore Makes Primary Pit Stop on Way to Heal Fla. Party Divisions
Vice President Al Gore, on a stop Wednesday in the premier primary state of New Hampshire, blasted Congress for stalling education and environmental bills. Gore will be in Miami next week, where he will try to resolve differences between black and white Democratic lawmakers. Today he is in North Carolina, announcing the administration's American Heritage River program.
Gore Hits GOP Cuts in Education (The Boston Globe, July 30)
Gore Visit May Address Racial Rift (St. Petersburg Times, July 29)

S.C. Democrat May Have Shot at Air Force Post
South Carolina state Sen. Phil Leventis is under consideration as President Clinton's next nominee to be Secretary of the Air Force. Florida state Sen. Daryl Jones was the first choice for the job, but the Senate Armed Services Committee killed his nomination. California Rep. Jane Harman (D), who lost her bid for the gubernatorial nomination, may also be in the running.
Leventis Candidate for Top Air Force Job (The State, Columbia, S.C., July 30)
Air Force Nominee Rejected (St. Petersburg Times, July 23)

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