September 6, 1999
Web posted at: 1:48 p.m. EDT (1748 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Labor Day may mean parades, barbecues and a day off for much of America, but for Democratic and Republican presidential candidates, it was a reminder that only a few months remain before the 2000 election year.

And many of those candidates used Monday as a campaigning day, appearing at parades, barbecues and public events at key early primary states.

Vice President Al Gore was in Iowa, where he picked up the endorsement of Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa). But there were new signs of trouble for Gore in the other key early state -- New Hampshire.

In the Granite State, home of the nation's first primary, former Sen. Bill Bradley of New Jersey has made some gains on Gore, according to two recent polls.

A new Boston Globe/WBZ-TV poll showed Bradley and Gore in a statistical dead heat -- Gore with 40 percent to 36 percent for Bradley, falling within the poll's margin of error of 5 percentage points.

"Gore is still in pretty good position for the primaries," said California-based Democratic consultant Bill Carrick. "But people are still fretting about his general election numbers."

The Harkin endorsement was a key one for Gore. Harkin is considered among the more liberal Democratic senators, and Bradley has attracted attention and early support from other liberals. Sen. Paul Wellstone of Minnesota, perhaps the Senate's most outspoken liberal, has endorsed Bradley.

"Harkin's good with organized labor, teachers, seniors, and environmentalists," said Steve Hildebrand, Gore's Iowa state campaign manager. "And when he endorses, he doesn't just endorse, he actively works for you."

Harkin himself ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1992, but endorsed Bill Clinton shortly after dropping out of the race.

Bradley was one of the few candidates not visiting an early primary or caucus state Monday. Instead, Bradley stuck to his native New Jersey, where he participated in a Labor Day Parade.

But New Hampshire was a popular destination for many other candidates.

Republicans Gary Bauer, Elizabeth Dole, Steve Forbes and Dan Quayle all were campaigning in New Hampshire. Popular stops included a parade in Milford, New Hampshire and a Republican picnic in Salem.

Gov. George W. Bush of Texas, the GOP front-runner, chose a different campaigning location. He went to South Carolina -- the site of another key early primary -- to participate in a series of parades and festivals. But by day's end, Bush was scheduled to join the Republican presidential pack in New Hampshire.

Monday, September 6, 1999

• Presidential candidates push for support at Labor Day events
• First lady calling Hispanic leaders about clemency controversy
• Clinton says GOP plan would prevent much-needed school construction
• Democratic fundraiser does double duty on Gore and Clinton campaigns
• Cisneros trial finally set to begin
• TR, FDR, JFK, LBJ, and now W?
• Bush addresses conservatives with a 'call to conscience'
• Rev. Jesse Jackson says Bush drug dilemma shows need to change law

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