Bush campaign goofs in Kansas

By Associated Press, 04/05/00

TOPEKA, Kan. — George W. Bush claimed victory in Tuesday's Kansas primary with thanks to all the voters who came out to support him. One problem: the primary had been canceled in February.

"Thank you Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Kansas," the Texas governor said in a statement issued by his campaign. The release said Tuesday's victories were "adding to a groundswell of grass-roots support for his campaign to the White House."

Republican Bush and Democrat Al Gore did coast to victories in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. But Kansas officials, citing a tight budget and probably lack of relevance so late in the primary season, had done away with their primary.

"Actually, there's a technical term for that news release. It is called a goof," Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer said today in Austin, Texas.