March 2, 1999
Web posted at: 8:40 a.m. EDT (0840 GMT)

(AllPolitics, March 2) -- A pair of Republicans from different ends of the GOP spectrum were set to announce their 2000 presidential plans Tuesday.

In New Hampshire, conservative commentator Pat Buchanan was expected to announce his candidacy for the White House at the start of a 13-city swing through primary states, while Texas Gov. George W. Bush prepared to announce the formation of a presidential exploratory committee in Austin.

George W. Bush, left, and Pat Buchanan

Bush, son of former President George Bush, is a leading choice among potential GOP candidates in early polls. Another Bush son, Jeb, is governor of Florida.

Support for Bush has gained steam among many top GOP officials. During the recent National Governors Conference in Washington, a dozen Republican governors urged him to run for president.

Bush plans to hold a news conference at 2 p.m. CST (3 p.m. EST) Tuesday afternoon at the governor's mansion in Austin, where he is expected to make his announcement. Establishing an exploratory committee is usually seen as the first step to launching a run for the presidency.

The governor, first elected in 1994 and re-elected by a wide majority last year, said last week that he was considering such a move and would make an announcement within two weeks.

A group of Republican state legislators from North Carolina, South Carolina and Connecticut met with Bush Monday, urging him to run. North Carolina state Rep. David Miner said that afterward he thought Bush would be a better candidate than Elizabeth Dole, also touted as a front-runner in the campaign. She has not formally announced her intentions.

"He's been elected and Elizabeth Dole has served only in appointed positions," Miner said. So, we think his politics of inclusion, of bringing people together by offering a positive message for the Republican Party, is critical."

Buchanan returns to the campaign trail

Inclusion is not the message of Buchanan, who has taken a leave of absence from his job as a CNN commentator to make his third run at the Oval Office. Buchanan campaigns hard against abortion and gay rights, as well as what he sees as harmful international business practices that damage American workers.

Buchanan's politics "would bring to the table an appeal to the public's fears," said conservative commentator Arianna Huffington. "That's exactly what Republicans don't need right now."

Democrats pounced on Buchanan's rhetoric in 1992, saying it revealed the Republican Party as extreme and intolerant. Many analysts believe that contributed to George Bush's decisive loss to Democrat Bill Clinton in that campaign.

But Buchanan returned in 1996, stunning eventual Republican nominee Bob Dole in the New Hampshire primary. And other analysts say the time is right for Buchanan's brand of Republicanism.

"I think he's got a claim on the cultural and religious conservatives in the Republican Party that nobody can challenge," said conservative commentator Mark Shields.

Buchanan is expected to make his announcement Tuesday morning.

Buchanan would battle for conservative votes with activist Gary Bauer, former Vice President Dan Quayle and 1996 candidate Alan Keyes. Along with Dole and Bush, former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander and philanthropist Steve Forbes are expected to join the field.

Only Sen. Bob Smith of New Hampshire has formally announced his candidacy so far.

Tuesday, March 2, 1999

• Gov. Bush announces plans for presidential exploratory committee
• RNC picks new chief of staff
• Senate report says Y2K would not pose major disruptions
• Senate report: Investigating the Impact of the Year 2000 Problem
• Federal judge may order investigation into Hubbell indictment
• Buchanan kicks off third White House bid
• Monica's big day: Will the nation tune in?
• Poll: Most people not interested in Lewinsky interview
• Justice opposes renewal of independent counsel law
• Bradley encourages lively 2000 race
• Lewinsky book already a best-seller
• Jackson mum on second White House bid
• Linda Tripp to return to Pentagon
• High court hears case of nut company that gave gifts to Espy
• Prosecutor tries to block day trips for Hinckley
• Latest Top 100: 20th century's best U.S. journalism
• Lewinsky interview could be easy money for ABC

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