June 23, 1999
Web posted at: 12:46 p.m. EDT (1646 GMT)

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, June 23) -- While GOP presidential front-runner George W. Bush was in Washington Tuesday getting high profile support from many Republican members of the U.S. Congress, Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) was quietly continuing his presidential campaign, which included trying to win over many state lawmakers -- some of whom have already endorsed the governor of Texas.

On Monday McCain received the endorsement of 17 South Carolina Republican lawmakers, of which as many as 12 had been early supporters of Bush, according to the McCain campaign.

Sen. John McCain

South Carolina is a key early primary state. Lawmakers from another primary prize, California, are also on McCain's call sheet.

Both McCain and his new communications director, Dan Schnur, have been talking with many California legislators recently.

One Bush backer who McCain has contacted, California Assemblyman Rod Pacheco says even though he is not ready to switch camps, "we had a discussion about a number of issues that are important to him and to me."

Spokesmen for McCain's campaign insist the Arizona Republican does not have a national strategy of seeking to peel away Bush's support among elected officials, saying McCain is just discussing state and national policy with the state legislators.

But Schnur say the Republican fear of losing the White House again shouldn't prevent many opinions from being heard. "A lot of (lawmakers) signed up with Bush early on, and that's fine, but we, like the other campaigns, believe Californians, whether they've endorsed a candidate or not, ought to be exposed to as many of the candidates as possible," Schnur says.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Wednesday, June 23, 1999

• Democrats holdup Senate over HMO reform
• Starr puts first lady on witness list for Hubbell trial
• Bradley cites need for 'trust' and 'fresh start' in Iowa
• McCain reaches out to lawmakers, Bush supporters
• It may be a record: Gov. Bush raises $2 million in D.C.
• House OKs transportation bill, conservatives win more cuts
• Under cross-examination, Cisneros ex-lover admits to many lies
• House takes up flag desecration amendment
• Supreme Court boosts states' rights in bitter 5-4 split
• Conservatives open new push to eliminate 'marriage tax'
• Attorney: Prosecutors shouldn't retry ex-governor
• New York City tells magazine planning Mrs. Clinton cover: 'Party's over'
• House may accept Senate Y2K bill
• Senate panel cuts Clinton land program, eases mining-waste limits
• Gore: Internet technology key to economic future
• Fordice resigns Quayle campaign amid divorce talk

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