LBANY, N.Y. - A judge yesterday dropped Senator John McCain from the Republican presidential primary in eight of New York's congressional districts, one day after two Democratic election officials helped him stay on those ballots. Supreme Court Justice Joseph Cannizzaro overturned the state Board of Elections' decision to allow McCain to compete in the districts despite challenges from state Republicans, most of whom support George W. Bush. In the challenged districts, McCain's presidential petitions did not have the number of signatures required by state law. McCain's campaign lawyer, Henry Berger, said he had not yet decided whether to appeal. (AP)
N.J. taxpayers' group rips Bradley on finance
A group claiming to be the largest taxpayer-advocacy group in New Jersey is airing a TV ad accusing former senator Bill Bradley of raising millions from special interests and of having to return illegal contributions to a big insurance company. Bradley has made political finance overhauls a centerpiece of his campaign; campaign aides say the ad is false, and are asking WMUR in Manchester to quit showing it. The director of the group, John Sheridan, says the effort is financed by dues and contributions from his group's 1,300 members. (Globe Staff)
Gore cites his backing from gay N.Y. delegates
ALBANY, N.Y. - Seeking to boost his standing among an increasingly politically active constituency, Al Gore boasted yesterday of having more openly gay potential convention delegates in New York than Bill Bradley does. The Gore camp said that while its slate of delegates for the state's March 7 presidential primary includes 11 openly gay candidates, slates for the former senator from New Jersey had just five openly gay people. State party officials said the Bradley campaign had reported having seven openly gay prospective delegates, not five as Gore had claimed. (AP)
Full day of campaigning set for the Granite State
All presidential candidates plan to be in New Hampshire.
Al Gore campaigns in the coastal city of Portsmouth.
Bill Bradley campaigns across the state before attending a state Democratic Party fund-raiser.
Gary Bauer, Alan Keyes, Steve Forbes, and George W. Bush all address the Rockingham County GOP in the evening.
John McCain conducts town halls.
