July 9, 1999
Web posted at: 4:06 p.m. EDT (2006 GMT)

New Mexico governor endorses Forbes for president

Steve Forbes

SANTA FE, New Mexico (AllPolitics, July 9) -- Describing him as "the man with the ideas," New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson chose to endorse presidential hopeful Steve Forbes over front-runner Texas Gov. Gorge W. Bush, said the spokeswoman of the governor Thursday.

Johnson's decision, however, might not be final since he plans to support whoever wins the Republican nomination for president next year, said his spokeswoman, Diane Kinderwater. She said Johnson wrote to Bush about his decision to endorse Forbes.

Both Forbes and Bush supported Johnson in his re-election campaign last year. Forbes has been the speaker of two fund-raising events for the New Mexico governor.

Federal contract promise could hurt Gore in election

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, July 9) -- A White House proposal issued Friday that bars contractors with poor labor relations from bidding on federal contracts could hurt Vice President Al Gore's presidential nomination.

Vice President Al Gore

Gore promised labor leaders in 1997 that he would allow the government to disqualify companies from federal contracts based on their labor, tax and environmental records. This promise has resurfaced as Gore tries to woo unions to support his bid for the Democratic Party's 2000 presidential nomination.

Business representatives are promising to fight the proposal. Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Donohue condemned the proposed new regulations as a "political payoff to big labor."

Linda Ricci, spokesperson for the White House Office of Management and Budget defended the proposed regulation saying it made "good sense."

Republicans push against early primaries

PHILADELPHIA (AllPolitics, July 9) -- How to make states push back their presidential primaries was the subject of a Republican National Committee panel Thursday.

Traditionally, the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary have been the earliest tests of strength for presidential candidates. Yet, recently 17 states have pushed their primaries ahead in an effort to gain more leverage in the nomination process, according to an impromptu survey by RNC Rules Committee Chairman Tom Sansonetti.

The RNC tried to resolve the issue in 1996 by instituting rules that award states more delegates if they push back their primary contests, but only three states have done that so far.

A separate advisory panel of senior Republicans is expected to study the issue soon. The panel will issue findings by the end of the year, so suggestions can be considered during the RNC winter meeting in California next January.

Unity '99 convention draws White House hopefuls

SEATTLE (AllPolitics, July 9) -- The conference for minority journalists became a campaign stop for several presidential hopefuls Thursday and a place of controversies.

The ill will was generated by Texas Gov. George W. Bush who at first declined the invitation -- his office said he was too busy. Then he showed up at the last minute for a 15-minute walk-through, without a speech.

The conference planners held a special news conference to denounce Bush where the Unity President Catalina Camia said "Gov. Bush missed a tremendous opportunity."

Another GOP presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, also initially declined the invitation, but he decided to attend after reading about the conference, his campaign said.

Democrat Bill Bradley made a scheduled appearance at Unity '99 Thursday while Vice President Al Gore is expected to address the gathering Friday.

Sen. Hatch to make first campaign trip to New Hampshire

Sen. Orrin Hatch

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, July 9) -- The latest addition to the GOP presidential field, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, is expected to make his first New Hampshire trip July 12. His schedule would include a full day of meetings with business, political and civic leaders of the Granite State.

As people of New Hampshire get to know Hatch better, his support will take off, read a press release from the Hatch 2000 campaign.

Hatch already got the endorsement of New Hampshire GOP Executive Director Ken Egan.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Friday, July 9, 1999

• Clinton urges Senate to pass strong patient rights bill
• Transcript: Clinton speaks on patients' bill of rights
• Video: How the poverty issue has changed since the 1960s
• New Hampshire Sen. Smith to leave GOP
• First lady supports Jerusalem as capital of Israel
• Secretary of Veterans Affairs announces resignation
• On 'listening tour,' first lady's attention turns to business issues
• California court strikes down 'scarlet letter' term limits initiative
• Gore defends affirmative action, cites minority wealth gap
• Senate GOP income tax cut aims for people paying at lowest rate
• Keyshawn Johnson trying to lure major commerce to inner city
• From sparkling water to the economy, New Yorkers offer first lady advice
• Governor's affair a central focus of Mississippi campaign
• Proposed new job for vice president: stopping nuclear threat
• GOP fires procedural salvo in HMO debate

• New Mexico governor endorses Forbes for president
• Federal contract promise could hurt Gore in election
• Republicans push against early primaries
• Unity '99 convention draws White House hopefuls
• Sen. Hatch to make first campaign trip to New Hampshire

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