ES MOINES - In a presidential nomination campaign that has left few babies unkissed, one candidate has raised the bar by involving one of the world's most famous set of babies - the septuplets whose birth two years ago made medical history. A spokesman for Republican presidential candidate Gary Bauer confirmed yesterday that Bobbi and Kenny McCaughey have agreed to put themselves and their home on display to Bauer campaign contributors. For $25, Bauer supporters will be allowed to mingle with the parents - but not their children - at a Des Moines hotel Thursday evening. Contributors who fork over $250 will be allowed to visit the couple in their home at nearby Carlisle earlier that evening. (Reuters)
McCain takes a jab at `Trotskyite' press
ROCHESTER, N.H. - John McCain has been poking fun at the reporters covering his campaign lately, telling voters they fall between ''liberal'' and ''communists'' on the political spectrum. McCain, who describes himself as a proud conservative, amended the label from ''liberal'' to ''Trotskyite'' during a town hall meeting yesterday with the Rochester Rotary Club. (AP)
GOP poll sees party trailing on 'issues'
WASHINGTON - Private polling done by Republicans shows Democrats hold an edge on top election-year concerns, and 25 percent of George W. Bush's support ''prefers Democrats on the issues by a significant margin.'' Democrats were favored, 44 percent to 31 percent, when the survey asked potential voters which party cares more about them, according to the poll shown recently to about 50 GOP members of the House. At the same time, the findings suggested several ways for House Republicans to gain an advantage, including opening a ''new issue front'' on such subjects as government waste or retiring the national debt. The survey material was presented at a two-day communications meeting this month organized near the Capitol by Representative J.C. Watts of Oklahoma, who ranks fourth in the House GOP leadership. The poll of 1,000 poeple was conducted for Securing America's Future for Everyone, an organization Watts set up. The survey recommended that the House GOP target its election-year efforts at Catholic voters; so-called ''soccer moms,'' or suburban women; and voters making $100,000 and above, as well as independents and moderates. (AP)
Pataki cash dwarfs that of potential foe
ALBANY, N.Y. - Governor George Pataki has a huge lead over a possible Democratic challenger in the 2002 governor's race when it comes to raising money for the campaign, reports showed yesterday. The reports, prepared for filing with the state Board of Elections, showed the Republican governor had raised more than $824,000 over the past six months and had $2.32 million on hand as of last Tuesday. Meanwhile, a report prepared by the state comptroller, H. Carl McCall, a Democrat, showed he had just $72,712 in his state campaign account as of the middle of this month. (AP)
