OS ANGELES - Backers who applauded during one of Senator John McCain's speeches yesterday were joined by the pounding sound of a drum. ''Now we have an Al Gore drum,'' McCain chuckled. The reference was to one of his stock phrases - that he will ''beat Al Gore like a drum'' in November should they win their parties' presidential nominations. Supporters have become so enamored of the metaphor that some have begun showing up at the Republican senator's rallies with drums - and banging them loudly. (AP)
Gore, McCain rally in Boston
Senator John McCain and Vice President Al Gore bring their campaigns to Boston tomorrow, with McCain holding a rally in Copley Square Plaza and Gore working the crowd outside Fanueil Hall. Supporters are going to have to choose between seeing McCain or Gore since both candidates go on at 9 a.m. No word on whether McCain will be bringing his drum. (Globe Staff).
Buchanan says he's ready
WASHINGTON - Pat Buchanan said yesterday that he is ready to catch the ''reform candidate'' banner on campaign finance and other issues if the White House bids of John McCain and Bill Bradley falter in Tuesday's primaries. ''I think when Bradley and McCain fade away, there's only one reform candidate in the race,'' said Buchanan, who switched from the GOP in October and has campaigned cross-country in pursuit of the Reform Party's nomination, though a petition drive is under way to encourage Reform Party founder H. Ross Perot to enter the race. Buchanan said he likely would campaign on a platform that would include ridding the nation of big-money politics in much the way McCain has proposed: by banning ''soft-money'' donations and forbidding unions to give members' dues to political campaigns without consent. But Buchanan also said he opposes McCain's proposal to ban political action committee contributions because such a prohibition would run afoul of the First Amendment. (AP)
TODAY'S CALENDAR
Bradley delivers a foreign policy speech in Providence.
Gore is in Florida and Georgia.
Bush campaigns in New York state.
McCain visits New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
