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By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Monday, June 29, 1998

In the last weekend before Tuesday's Republican gubernatorial runoff in Alabama, a new poll indicates that Gov. Fob James continues to lose ground with Winton Blount III and is now in a statistical deadlock with the Montgomery businessman. Both were in Clanton on Saturday, winding down their often brutal campaigns at the annual Clanton Peach Festival Parade.

"The objective of the opposing team is to give you a lifelong disabling injury so you're carried off the field in a stretcher, never to return to play another game." – Energy Secretary Federico Peña, on why he's glad to be leaving Washington politics. (Rocky Mountain News, June 29)

One reason for Blount's success may be the high number of Democrats expected to vote in Tuesday's GOP runoff. Alabama allows cross-party voting.

GOP Vote Should Be a Squeaker (The Huntsville Times, June 28)
Candidates Work for Vote Harvest (The Birmingham News, June 28)
Key Races: Alabama Governor (washingtonpost.com)

Hispanic Vote, Environment Are Potential GOP Issues in 2000 White House Race
Aside from Lamar Alexander, few Republicans are actually saying that they will be seeking the presidency in 2000. But that doesn't stop political hacks like us from speculating about potential issues in the primaries which are still 20 months away. Out west, Texas Gov. George W. Bush is currying favor with Hispanic voters while California Gov. Pete Wilson may be alienating them. And with Vice President Al Gore expected to play up the environment in his likely presidential bid, a group of Newt Gingrich allies are putting a GOP spin on the issue.
Wilson's on Latino Hot Seat – Unlike Potential Foe Gov. George Bush (The Sacramento Bee, June 28)
Republicans Try To "Green Up" Their Image on Environmental Issues (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, June 29)

National Leaders Spend Weekend on Congressional Campaigns
At a campaign stop for Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-La.) said he would not seek the GOP presidential nomination in 2000, but Jesse Jackson told Iowans this weekend that he is considering a bid. Also on the campaign trail this weekend was House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-Tex.), who was in Michigan stumping for two House candidates, and conservative moralizer Bill Bennett, who was in North Carolina to help Sen. Lauch Faircloth and Rep. Walter Jones Jr.
Jackson, Lott Visit Iowa (The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, June 28)
Local GOP Candidates Get High-Profile Help (Detroit News, June 29)
Bennett's Tar Heel Vacation Trip Includes Some Politicking (The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C., June 29)

Native Americans Weigh In on Calif. Gambling
A group of California tribes launched a statewide television campaign June 19 to voice their support of a voter initiative that would create legal protection for slot machines on Native American reservations.
Indian Tribes Push Gaming Initiative (The Sacramento Bee, June 28)

Iowa Abortion, Gambling Restrictions Overturned
State restrictions on abortion and gambling – two hot issues in legislatures this year – were dealt setbacks in separate legal rulings in Iowa on Friday. A federal judge overturned the state's new ban on certain late-term abortions and a legislative panel said that the state gaming commission's five-year ban on new casinos was illegal.
Abortion Ban Blocked (The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, June 27)
Opinion: Limits on Casinos not Legal (The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, June 26)

At Summer Retreat, Western Governors Focus on Federal Disputes
Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt (R) is leading the Western Governors' Association in its new efforts to build a more cooperative partnership with the federal government. The topic is being discussed at the organization's summer conference in Girdwood, Alaska.
Governors Hope to Work With the Feds (The Salt Lake Tribune, June 29)

Debates, Endorsement Heat Up Minn. Gubernatorial Race
Heading into a Wednesday debate with seven of the eight candidate for Minnesota governor, Democratic candidate Mike Freeman picked up the AFL-CIO endorsement. Norm Coleman, the only remaining Republican candidate, decided not to attend the debate. Reform Party candidate and former professional wrestler Jesse "The Body" Ventura will be there.
AFL-CIO Endorsement Boosts Freeman's Drive for Governor (The Star-Tribune, Minneapolis, June 27)
Governor Candidates Will Debate Wednesday (The Star-Tribune, Minneapolis, June 28)

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