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By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Friday, July 31, 1998

The nation's governors will focus on technology, early childhood and the global economy at their summer meeting this weekend in Milwaukee, where politics may be conspicuously absent. Neither administration nor congressional leaders were invited, and two of the nation's most-watched governors, George Pataki (R-N.Y.) and George W. Bush (R-Tex.), have decided not to attend.

"I think he should have owned up to it if he did it. He would be better off. Reagan and Bush admitted to what they did." – Earnest Atkinson, a retired plumber from Smithfield, N.C., during President Clinton's visit to the state. (The News & Observer, July 31)

Governors Meeting Here Will Try Not to Focus on Politics (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, July 31)
Key Races: Governors (washingtonpost.com)
Governors Guide (washingtonpost.com)

Michigan Governor Says Rival Crashed State Computers With Campaign Spam
Michigan Democratic gubernatorial candidate Doug Ross said a technical glitch accidentally sent a campaign e-mail from his headquarters to state employees. A spokesman for Republican Gov. John Engler said the e-mail crashed the state's system. Candidates in Texas and North Carolina have also had bad experiences with mass e-mail as their campaigns struggle to use the Internet effectively.
Ross Mass E-Mail Sent by Mistake (The Detroit News, July 31)
Early Returns Spam Coverage:
Cyberpolitics Takes Step Forward, Step Back (March 5)
Texas Politician Tries E-mail Campaign (Feb. 27)

Did Somebody Say McShakedown?
The chairman of the McDonald's fast-food chain is urging his vendors to give generously to the gubernatorial campaign of Illinois Republican George Ryan. The chairman said Ryan's "loyalty" to McDonald's prompted the request.
McDonald's Asks Vendors to Aid Ryan (The Chicago Tribune, July 31)
Key Race: Illinois Governor (washingtonpost.com)

The Gloved One to Stump in Detroit
Pop singer Michael Jackson is scheduled to appear in Detroit on Sunday and Monday to push an initiative that would ease gambling restrictions in the city.
Jackson to Stump for Prop 1 (The Detroit News, July 31)

Abortion Could Be Deciding Issue in Wash. House Race
The three candidates in Washington's 1st Congressional District — yes, the American Heritage Party is fielding a candidate — represent all angles of the abortion issue. That could make abortion the deciding factor in Rep. Rick White's reelection bid.
Abortion Issue May Decide 1st Congressional District Race (The Seattle Times, July 31)

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