Bush Takes To The Airwaves, Literally
Bunning Announces For Ky. Senate
Bush Takes To The Airwaves, Literally
YUMA, Ariz. (AllPolitics, March 25) -- Ex-President George Bush got that sweet, "I-cheated-death" feeling today when he jumped out of an aircraft and lived to brag about it. Bush parachuted with the U.S. Army's Golden Knights, jumping from 12,500 feet. Two jumpmasters had a firm grasp on the 72-year-old Bush during the freefall. When Bush bailed out of his crippled bomber over the Pacific Ocean during World War II, he vowed to make a parachute jump just for the fun of it someday. (1M Quicktime Movie)
Chelsea Clinton Goes Public
ARUSHA, Tanzania (AllPolitics, March 25) -- For the first time, Chelsea Clinton has spoken out on substantive social issues. The first daugher is in Africa with her mother, and in an informal gathering with young Tanzanian women, Chelsea was asked what issues and problems face young women in the United States. She told the group she believed women in the U.S. probably have more opportunities than those in Tanzania, but still have many of the same problems. She said women still don't feel the confidence of men in society, and while they have equal rights under the law, that does not always correspond with reality. Chelsea told the group that drugs and violence were serious problems for women in the United States, but she feels cynicism and hopelessness were the strongest factors working against women today.
Bunning Announces For Senate
FORT MITCHELL, Ky. (AllPolitics, March 25) -- U.S. Rep. Jim Bunning announced today that he will seek the U.S. Senate seat held by retiring Democrat Wendell Ford. Bunning, a Republican who was first elected to Congress in 1986, boasted, "I'm going to win, and win big." The other Republican who has declared so far for the 1998 race is state Sen. Barry Metcalf, and several Democrats are also interested in replacing Ford, including Rep. Scotty Baesler who declared two weeks ago, the same day Ford announced his retirement.
$2 Million For School Prayer
WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, March 25) -- The Christian Coalition plans to spend as much as $2 million in support of a constitutional amendment for school prayer. Executive Director Ralph Reed said the group will lend its support to Rep. Ernest Ishtook's proposed amendment, which it considers its top legislative priority this year. The powerful Christian group plans to lobby members of Congress and finance radio ads, mail, telephone campaigns and other tactics. Ishtook (R-Okla.) said his measure will counteract court decisions that have gone too far in barring religious symbols and references from public life, and plans to introduce the amendment after Congress' Easter recess. The House Judiciary Committee plans a hearing this summer.
President Delays Trip To Mexico
WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, March 25) -- President Bill Clinton today confirmed he's postponing his planned April visit to Mexico until May. The White House has been hinting for days that the trip would need to be delayed due to Clinton's knee injury. The president now plans to combine his visit to Mexico with previously scheduled stops in Costa Rica and Barbados. That trip will run from May 6 through 10. Clinton also was expected to visit Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela in May. But that trip now is slated for October 12-17. During an event today concerning Medicare fraud, Clinton said he wanted to delay those stops till he's more mobile and can do things like ride horses.
Susan McDougal Still Faces Theft Charges
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AllPolitics, March 25) -- A judge has refused to dismiss theft charges against Whitewater defendant Susan McDougal, accused of stealing $150,000 from symphony director Zubin Mehta and his wife. The Mehtas allege she forged checks and fraudulently used credit cards during her stint as a bookkeeper. McDougal, who has pleaded innocent, faces up to seven years in prison if convicted. The trial is slated to begin March 28, but scheduling conflicts probably will delay it. McDougal and her attorneys have complained about the conditions of her incarceration. Los Angeles County officials say she is kept in lockdown for all but 30 minutes a day for security reasons, but her attorney claims she is being punished because she has not cooperated with Whitewater special prosecutor Kenneth Starr.