A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Wednesday, September 30, 1998

California's decision to move up the date of its delegate-heavy presidential primary damages the clout of Iowa and New Hampshire, said 1996 Republican presidential candidate Steve Forbes Tuesday. But New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D) and likely Republican presidential hopeful Lamar Alexander said they think California's new date will only give more clout to New Hampshire, which is required by state law to have the earliest presidential primary in the country.

"I hope this blows up in their face." – S.C. Gov. David Beasley (R), accusing the state Democratic Party of orchestrating rumors that he committed adultery. (The State, Columbia, S.C., Sept. 30)

The National Association of Secretaries of State will convene its presidential primary committee on Nov. 18 to discuss a plan by California Secretary of State Bill Jones to create a system of rotating regional primaries.

• NH Primary Should Be Set Earlier, Forbes Says (The Union-Leader, Manchester, N.H., Sept. 30)
• White House 2000 (washingtonpost.com)

Facing Deposition, S.C. Governor Latest to Vow Fidelity
South Carolina Gov. David Beasley (R) on Tuesday became the latest in a string of candidates to go out of their way to declare that they have not committed adultery. The press conference, hosted by Beasley, his pregnant wife, the woman with whom he is alleged to have had an affair and the woman's husband, was prompted by a report in Time magazine that lawyers from the state Democratic party were preparing to ask Beasley about his marital fidelity in a deposition as part of a court case seeking government records.
• 'I've been faithful,' Governor Vows (The State, Columbia, S.C., Sept. 30)
• Elections Guide: South Carolina races (washingtonpost.com)

Meanwhile, South Carolina's gambling foes talked about the sinking feeling they experienced after Beasley's Monday announcement that he would not block a vote to create a state lottery.
• Foes Fear They've Lost Lottery Fight (The State, Columbia, S.C., Sept. 30)

Ark. Clergy Calls for Apology — From Starr, Congress and Media
The clergy has played an important role in President Clinton's public redemption campaign, but a multifaith coalition of Little Rock clergy publicly called for Ken Starr, Congress and the media to show a little restraint. "Wounded people and conditions deserve compassionate and healing treatment, not sadistic torture, abuse of their dignity and exploitation," said the statement prepared by the Center City Coalition of Congregations.
• Clergy urges Healing, Empathy for Clinton (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Sept. 30)

Halloween Morality Display to Feature Oval Office
Tired of the same old abortion clinic and AIDS death bed scenes at the Abundant Life Christian Center's annual Halloween Hell House in Arvada, Colo.? Not to worry; the all-new display this year focuses on the sins of the Oval Office. "Without giving too much away, it will depict three sins – lies, lust and adultery," said associate pastor Keenan Roberts.
• Hell House moves to White House (Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Sept. 30)

Big Name Pols Steer Clear of Scandal on Stump
None of the Washington insiders who threw their weight to political candidates across the country on Tuesday brought up the White House scandal. Colin Powell, not on the stump, said at a Dallas fund-raiser for the University of Texas's M.D. Anderson Cancer Center that the nation should put the president's problems "behind us, one way or another." He said he did not think Clinton would face articles of impeachment.
• Colin Powell: Set Clinton's Woes Aside (Austin American-Statesman, Sept. 30)
• Gingrich in Little Rock to Stump for Wyrick (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Sept. 30)
• Tipper Gore Speaks on Centrist Issues at Scorsone Fund-Raiser (Lexington Herald-Leader, Sept. 30)
• Bush, in Hub, Does a Favor for Cellucci (The Boston Globe, Sept. 30)

Endorsements: Tex. Principals for Bush; Calif. Guards for Davis
Influential education groups have thrown their support to two Western Republican gubernatorial candidates in as many weeks. On Monday, Texas Gov. George W. Bush (R) picked up support from the Texas Association of School Administrators, who endorsed him over Democrat Garry A. Mauro. Arizona Gov. Jane D. Hull (R) won a nod from the state's largest teachers' union in her reelection bid last week.
• School Executives Support Bush Plan (Austin American-Statesman, Sept. 29)
• Elections Guide: Texas races and Arizona races (washingtonpost.com)

In the California gubernatorial race, Democratic Lt. Gov. Gray Davis got a major boost Tuesday in his effort to portray himself as tough on crime. The California Correctional Peace Officers Association endorsed his bid against Republican Attorney General Dan Lungren.
• Prison Guards Union Backs Davis for Governor (San Francisco Chronicle, Sept. 30)
• Key Race: California Governor (washingtonpost.com)

Longtime Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley Dies
Tom Bradley, the first black mayor of Los Angeles and a two-time Democratic gubernatorial candidate, died after suffering a heart attack on Tuesday. He was 80. Bradley was mayor of Los Angeles from 1973 to 1993, presiding over the 1984 Summer Olympics and 1992 racial riots.
• Mayor Who Reshaped L.A. Dies (Los Angeles Times, Sept. 30)
• Tom Bradley Dies (San Francisco Chronicle, Sept. 30)

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