Democratic senators worried about Republican challengers gettingmore campaign time pressured Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle intoadjourning ahead of schedule Thursday to begin their summer recess,though the contemplated agenda was far from completed.
Senators Tim Johnson of South Dakota, Tom Harkin of Iowa and JeanCarnahan of Missouri all were eager to get home to campaign ratherthan continue through Friday as planned. Because the House recessstarted a week earlier, Republican Representatives John Thune inSouth Dakota and Greg Ganske in Iowa got a jump on their Senatecampaigns.
A footnote: Desire to campaign also may limit the time lawmakerswant to spend in Washington this fall and force a post-election "lameduck" session to finish their work.
Lindsey revived
National Economic Adviser Lawrence Lindsey, once downgraded as aspokesman for the Bush administration, is on the way up with anendorsement from President Bush.
The signal was given last Monday when Bush approached Lindsey atthe White House and congratulated his performance the previous day onABC's "This Week" program. Lindsey's advocacy contrasted with lessthan stellar performances on three networks the same day by TreasurySecretary Paul O'Neill.
A footnote: Vice President Dick Cheney, who is considered theadministration's most effective economic spokesman, has been shackledby an SEC investigation of the Halliburton Co. for practices whenCheney was its CEO. However, Cheney this week will address economicproblems with a speech to the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco.
Gore's tactics
Democratic insiders, including critics of Al Gore's politicalabilities, believe the former vice president made a canny tacticaldecision in skipping the moderate Democratic Leadership Council'sconvention in New York last week.
Party operatives say Gore wisely declined to be one of the pack ata presidential cattle show. They think Gore has moved beyond hisclosed-door statements in Memphis (which he now denies making) thatblamed his 2000 loss on consultants.
A footnote: Sen. Joe Lieberman's criticism of Gore for business-bashing is seen by insiders as an attempt to get out of a hastycommitment. Lieberman wants to run for president, but promised hewould defer to former running mate Gore.
GOP vs. Christians
Religious-oriented pro-family groups are outraged that thenational Republican Party hierarchy held an official fund-raisingevent for an opponent of the conservative movement's Senate candidatein Louisiana.
The Eagle Forum and Family Research Council admire Republicanstate Rep. Tony Perkins, a pro-life conservative in the non-partyelection against Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu. Dr. James Dobson, theconservative commentator who rarely endorses anyone, is ready toendorse Perkins.
However, Senators Trent Lott and Bill Frist on Wednesday hosted a$250-per-person fund-raiser for State Elections Commissioner SuzanneHaik Terrell. While the party leaders earlier told Perkins he had toraise his own nest egg before they would contribute, they immediatelyjumped in to help out Terrell.
Teamsters trouble
President Bush's continued courtship of the Teamsters union hit asnag when he did not congratulate Teamsters President James P. Hoffafor the union's recent six-year agreement with United Parcel Service.
Teamsters officials privately complained about theadministration's oversight of the union that Bush and his politicalaides have been wooing aggressively. In 1997, when the Teamsters wereheaded by Hoffa adversary Ron Carey, a bitter two-week strike costUPS $750 million.
A footnote: Bush's hard line on government employee unions inconnection with the homeland security bill does not concern theTeamsters and other blue-collar unions.
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