Bush beats Forbes by exactly a handful in Alaska straw poll

By T.A. Badger, Associated Press, 01/25/00

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- As in Iowa, the pecking order in Alaska's Republican presidential straw poll was George W. Bush followed by Steve Forbes. But the size of the win could be counted on one hand.

Texas Gov. Bush netted 1,571 votes, or 36.3 percent, in the non-binding statewide contest Monday, while publisher Forbes captured 1,566, or 36.2 percent.

The Bush campaign said the governor was able to win despite being outspent by more than 10-to-1 by Forbes and facing a heavy advertising campaign from him in the final week. Forbes made several trips to Alaska while Bush settled for a phone call to the state and two mass mailings, with no state TV ads.

"One night, two victories," said Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer, "which means we're getting closer and closer to the end of the Clinton era."

In the Iowa caucuses Monday, Bush won with 41 percent of the GOP vote with Forbes coming a strong second at 30 percent.

"After being so close in Iowa, we're walking on top of the world," said Don Devine, deputy campaign manager for Forbes, who flew to Alaska for the straw poll. "It gives Steve the impetus going into New Hampshire that we need."

With 412 votes, Sen. John McCain of Arizona finished third in the straw poll, edging out Alan Keyes by one vote. Gary Bauer got 207 votes and Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, expected to drop out of the GOP nomination race Wednesday, got 163.

The Alaska party's official endorsement comes at the state convention this summer.