For The Record

National Review, August 9, 1999

* "I know I shouldn't do this because it's not really presidential, but I'm going to do it anyway," says President Clinton at Democratic Leadership Council event in Baltimore. "This compassionate conservatism has a great ring to it, you know. It sounds so good. And I've really worked hard to try to figure out what it means. I mean, I made an honest effort. And near as I can tell here's what it means-it means: I like you, I do. And I would like to be for the patients' bill of rights and I'd like to be for closing the gun-show loophole, and I'd like not to squander the surplus and save Social Security and Medicare for the next generation. I'd like to raise the minimum wage. I'd like to do these things. But I just can't, and I feel terrible about it." . . . George W. Bush says remarks show Clinton sees him as "a threat to his so-called legacy." . . . Geraldo Rivera, on Clinton: "He's the first president ever to be comfortable with black people."

* The Hotline surveys state polls on prospective Bush-Gore race, finds Bush holding a commanding lead in states collectively worth 167 electoral votes and Gore in front nowhere. . . . Owing to high cost of his fundraising, Gore leads Bill Bradley in cash on hand by less than $5 million. . . . Rep. John Kasich (R., Ohio) drops out, endorses Bush. . . . Olympia Dukakis, actress and cousin of 1988 Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis, endorses Bradley. . . . New Mexico governor Gary Johnson endorses Steve Forbes. . . . Four biographies of Bush in works, all due by February. Authors are Dallas Morning News reporter Bill Minutaglio, former George editor Elizabeth Mitchell, Texas journalist J. H. Hatfield, and columnist Molly Ivins. . . . Hillary Clinton says she'll need $25 million for New York race. . . . From fundraising letter signed by Sen. Robert Torricelli (D., N.J.): "Ever feel like politicians in Washington, D.C., don't care what people in Beverly Hills, California, think?"

* Sen. Bob Smith's exit from GOP prompts speculation about 2002 N.H. Senate race, with Rep. John E. Sununu, considered to be early frontrunner. . . . After Sen. John Warner (R., Va.) crosses aisle to support Sen. Charles S. Robb (D., Va.) on two high-profile votes, some observers wonder if Warner wants former governor George Allen to beat Robb in 2000-or wants to remain only Republican senator from area. . . . Kentucky state Sen. Dan Seum switches to GOP, giving Republicans tie in chamber. . . . Colorado secretary of state Vikki Buckley, highest- ranking black Republican state officeholder in nation, dies of heart disease. . . . Rep. George Brown (D., Calif.), oldest member of House at 79, dies. GOP considers seat winnable. . . . Mayo Clinic doctor visits Reagan family, addresses condition of former president: "He is really comfortable and doing well in his environment. The president is doing as well as he can given the situation of this particular disease." . . . Following phone calls by Nancy Reagan, California approves special Reagan license plate.

* Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R., Tex.), speaking at Heritage Foundation on Kosovo: "We declared victory when 19 nations outlasted a country the size of the state of Kentucky, with a faltering economy and minimal military resources. . . . An elephant was called in to step on a gnat- the gnat is wounded and the elephant is limping." . . . Western Wats poll: 53 percent rate 1994 Republican takeover of Congress a "good thing," only 37 percent call it a "bad thing." . . . Los Angeles Times labels House vote to give itself 3.4 percent pay raise, retroactive to January, "an unusual burst of bipartisan cooperation." Measure also doubles presidential salary, after next oath of office. . . .Consumer Price Index doesn't rise in May or June, meaning inflation rate is zero.

* Texas judge orders new election for 1997 Houston ballot initiative outlawing racial preferences, following city council meddling that supporters say led to defeat. . . . NR contributor Robert P. George named McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton University, chair once held by Woodrow Wilson. . . . Utah school district apologizes for religious content of Earth Day event that included American Indian prayers and Episcopal bishop's blessing of trees. . . . Air Force spends $268,000 in funds usually reserved for military readiness to renovate kitchen in home used by Air Force Academy superintendent. . . . Media mogul and part-time environmental activist Ted Turner permits oil drilling on New Mexico ranch property.

* Argentine and British governments agree to lift air embargo between Argentina and Falkland Islands, imposed after 1982 war. . . . Lebanon and Libya revoke landing rights of Bulgaria's Balkan Air at airports, with Iran, Dubai, and Tunisia considering same, after sale of Bulgarian carrier to Israeli consortium. . . . Mexican Senate blocks bill extending voting rights to Mexicans living in United States and their American-born children. . . . Papua New Guinea infuriates China and upsets neighbor Australia by establishing diplomatic ties to Taiwan. . . . Russian Statistics Agency reports continuing population decline, owing mainly to worsening poverty, rampant alcoholism, poor nutrition, and declining health care. . . . Boris Yeltsin says body of Lenin will eventually be moved from Red Square mausoleum and buried because "it isn't Christian-like behavior to keep the body of a long-dead person on public display." . . . Poland arrests three army colonels on charges of spying for Russia. . . . U.N. demographers say world's 6 billionth person will be born October 12. . . . New Zealand declares "ordinary stockings are not tax-deductible but patterned stockings used for work" by prostitutes are.