ASHINGTON - Vice President Al Gore has the biggest payroll of any presidential candidate, and Texas Governor George W. Bush and former Senator Bill Bradley have spent the most on television commercials, according to a computer analysis by the Campaign Study Group, a research organization. Meanwhile, Senator John McCain's campaign spent more than a third of its money on fund-raising between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 1999, the study said. Through Dec. 31, Gore had spent $5.7 million on salaries for his campaign, and his $1.1 million on rent and utilities last year were also the most of any candidate. Bush spent $6.3 million on television advertising last year, while Bradley spent $4.2 million. McCain raised $15.7 million last year, but had to spend $5.7 million to do it. (AP)
Gore's Conn. appearance riles the Bradley camp
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Vice President Al Gore will be the keynote speaker next Saturday at the state Democratic party's biggest annual fund-raiser, and some supporters of Bill Bradley are upset that the former New Jersey senator was not invited. About 1,200 people are expected to attend the Jefferson-Jackson-Bailey dinner at Southern Connecticut State University, said state party Chairman Ed Marcus, who is a leader of Gore's campaign in Connecticut. ''It's obvious (Marcus is) taking his candidate more seriously than his responsibility as chairman of the party,'' said Nick Paindiris, state coordinator of the Bradley campaign. Marcus said such accusations are ''nonsense'' and that he invited Gore to the dinner more than a year ago. (AP)
Bush and McCain locked in tight Michigan race
DETROIT - Republican presidential candidates George W. Bush and John McCain remain even in Michigan's Feb. 22 Republican primary, a poll of likely voters showed. Bush was supported by 41 percent of those surveyed Feb. 8-10, compared with 40 percent for McCain. The survey, conducted by Marketing Resource Group Inc. of Lansing, had a margin of error of 5.8 percentage points. Among those who traditionally voted Republican, Bush held a 48 percent to 34 percent lead, while McCain led Bush 62 percent to 14 percent among independent voters. The state's primary is open to all voters. (Reuters)
Bradley and Gore head to California
Bill Bradley and Al Gore both campaign in California today, speaking to the state Democratic convention.
George W. Bush campaigns in South Carolina during the day before flying to Texas and taking Sunday off.
John McCain campaigns in South Carolina through the weekend.
