Politics Watch

By Tamala M. Edwards, Tam M. Gray, Daniel S. Levy, Belinda Luscombe, Michele L. Orecklin, Alain L. Sanders and David E. Thigpen

CAMPAIGN NOTES FROM FAR AND WIDE

DEAD WOMAN RUNNING Jacquelyn Ledgerwood [photo 1], a Democratic candidate for Senate in Oklahoma, died before the primary. Even dead, she was a popular lady, taking 25% of the vote and forcing a runoff against air conditioner repairman Don E. Carroll. But Carroll may not prove the most fiery challenger. "I do have to work some," complains Carroll. "I have to eat; you know how that is. The mortgage is still due. I have to pay insurance." Republican incumbent Don Nickles can keep cool.

CROSSFIRE CURSE Why did Geraldine Ferraro , who entered the New York Democratic Senate primary with a 25-point lead, suffer a 25-point loss to Representative Chuck Schumer? Maybe it's the Crossfire curse. Evidence: two-time presidential contender Pat Buchanan also lost his races dismally, taking 22% of the vote. Stay where you are, John Sununu.

MY THREE SONS On TV it was Mike, Robbie and Chip. In the Minnesota gubernatorial race it was Mike, Teddy and Skip--as in Mike Freeman, son of former Governor Orville; Ted Mondale, son of former Vice President Walter; and Skip Humphrey , son of former Vice President Hubert. Skip won. He'll face Republican Norm Coleman and Reform candidate Jesse ("the Body") Ventura.

GIMME A HAND Tip O'Neill famously said that all politics is local. Proving that point, Somerville mayor Michael Capuano won the Democratic primary for O'Neill's old House seat (once also held by J.F.K.), swaying voters with aggressive campaigning. That tactic was better than that of his closest competition, former Boston mayor and Vatican ambassador Ray Flynn, who showed pictures of himself with the Pope and Mother Teresa.

SO LONG, SISTERHOOD Representative Linda Smith won the Washington State Republican Senate primary, and will face Democratic incumbent Patty Murray, making theirs the only Senate race with female opponents. The mud is expected to fly over women's rights. Smith says she is antifeminist: "I'm a traditional woman. I'm not mad at anyone."

PARDON ME, BUT...

We've heard a lot of excuses this past month, but how good have they been? We grade some.

BILL CLINTON: "This matter is between me...my wife and our daughter...It's nobody's business but ours."

Remark: As if! Grade: D

HENRY HYDE: "The statute of limitations has long since passed on my youthful indiscretions."

Remark: Hank--you were in your 40s! Grade: C

HELEN CHENOWETH: "I made a mistake; I acknowledged that mistake... I asked forgiveness. And I have moved on."

Remark: But her ex-lover's wife hasn't forgiven her. Grade: B-

WILLIAM KRISTOL: "Republicans have old-fashioned extramarital affairs with other adults. Those really are moral lapses that are private and more easily forgiven and very different from taking advantage of a young person who works for you when you're President."

Remark: Even in sin, Republicans try to be more family-value oriented. Grade: D

JAMES CARVILLE: "To paraphrase Dante, the hot-blooded shall be judged very differently from the coldhearted."

Remark: James, have you met the Republicans on the Judiciary Committee? Grade: F

TOPIC A

NOT ASA AGAIN!

Name: Asa Hutchinson

Position: G.O.P. Congressman from Arkansas and member of the House Judiciary Committee

Assignment: Investigate Bill Clinton

Prior Career: U.S. Attorney in Arkansas; nailed Roger Clinton on drug charges

References: "Best thing that ever happened" to Roger, according to Bill

WARNING! A moment from the Starr report: "When I was hiding out in your office...I noticed you had the new Sarah McLachlan CD [Surfacing]," wrote Monica Lewinsky to the President. "Whenever I listen to song #5 I think of you." The tune, Do What You Have to Do, has this lyric : "I'm shaken/ by the violence of existing/ for only you./ I know I can't be with you./ I do what I have to do."

HOT, HOT, HOT! Ken Starr should have cut a licensing deal for his report. One of Washington's new power eateries, McCormick & Schmick's, says cigar sales at its bar are up 110% since the report appeared. A tourist paid $250 to take home 25 Macanudos as capital souvenirs. Meanwhile, sales of Oy Vey! The Things They Say, a book Lewinsky gave Clinton, have quadrupled.