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Road to the Presidency: Timeline 2000

Road to the Presidency: Timeline 2000

18 February 1998 Democratic Fundraiser Hsia indicted
Maria Hsia, the woman who organized Vice President Gore's 1996 controversial fundraiser at a Buddhist monastery, was indicted by the Justice Department today on one count of conspiracy and five counts of false statements by a federal grand jury in Washington
6 March 1998 Gore makes first trip to New Hampshire
Vice President Al Gore made a politically significant trip to New Hampshire today, talking about the future of the Democratic Party and his pet issue - the environment.
12 April 1998 Kasich hints that he will run
In an appearance on "Meet the Press," Ohio Representative John Kasich said that he would wait until 1999 to announce his candidacy for President, however, after the show, his spokesman said he meant to say that he would make a decision in 1999 on whether to run at all.
15 June 1998 Iowa hosts "First in the Nation Gala"
GOP hopefuls Lamar Alexander, Dan Quayle, Sen. John Ashcroft (MO), Steve Forbes, and Sen. Bob Smith (NH) spent the day in Iowa gauging support for possible presidential candidacies, giving Iowans a first glimpse of whom they might have the chance to vote for in … twenty months.
17 August 1998 Clinton admits to sexual encounters with Lewinsky
Before a grand jury and in a nationally televised primetime address, President Clinton admitted to having an "inappropriate" relationship with Monica Lewinsky, a former White House intern. During his four-minute address, Clinton said that the relationship "was wrong" and "constituted a critical lapse in judgment" but he fell short of apologizing to the nation.
1 September 1998 California moves primary to "Super Tuesday"
The California State Senate voted to move their future presidential primaries from June to the first Tuesday in March in an attempt to increase the state's influence on the nominating process.
27 October 1998 Bush, Gore early frontrunners
In a CNN/USAToday/Gallup poll released today, Al Gore and George W. Bush were the overwhelming choices for the Democratic and Republican nominations for the presidency. The poll also showed that if the election were held today, Bush would defeat Gore 57-39 among all voters. The results:

Democrats

  • Al Gore 41%
  • Bill Bradley 15%
  • Dick Gephardt 14%
  • Jesse Jackson 11%
  • Bob Kerrey 4%
  • John Kerry 4%
  • Paul Wellstone 1%

Republicans

  • George W. Bush 39%
  • Elizabeth Dole 17%
  • Dan Quayle 12%
  • Steve Forbes 7%
  • Lamar Alexander 4%
  • John Ashcroft 4%
  • Newt Gingrich 4%
  • John Kasich 4%
3 November 1998 Election Day: Democrats gain, but Republicans keep majority
The Democrats picked up five seats in the House, doing something that no party has done since 1934 - gain seats in the House during a midterm election while in the White House - decreasing the Republican majority to a slim 223-211. The Senate makeup remained unchanged at 55 Republicans and 45 Democrats. George W. Bush was elected to his second term as governor of Texas.
6 November 1998 Gingrich resigns
Following disappointing midterm elections and facing growing opposition within his own party, Majority Leader Newt Gingrich (GA) resigned both his post and his congressional seat.
24 November 1998 Reno refuses to appoint independent counsel
Attorney General Janet Reno declined to appoint an independent counsel to investigate allegations that Al Gore lied to FBI agents regarding his fundraising activities in the 1996 election.
3 December 1998 Bradley forms exploratory committee
Former Senator Bill Bradley (D-NJ) announced that he was considering a run for the White House. In comments at a Newark community center he emphasized his plans to address poverty and health insurance. He dismissed the idea that winning was impossible because of Al Gore's frontrunner status.
10 December 1998 Bradley announces that he is "absolutely running"
Putting an end to widespread speculation, Sen. Bill Bradley announced that he would seek the office of the POTUS. The announcement came only one week after Bradley formed a presidential exploratory committee.
13 December 1998 Kerrey announces that he will not run
Before 150 supporters in Omaha, Senator Bob Kerrey (D-NE) announced that he would not again seek the democratic nomination for president. While running for the nomination in 1992, Kerrey remarked that Bill Clinton was "the best liar" that he'd ever seen.
16 December 1998 Clinton orders air strikes against Iraq
Today, President Clinton ordered American armed forces into "Operation Desert Fox," a military air raid on Iraq designed to attack Sadaam Hussein's arsenal of nuclear chemical, and biological weapons. While Clinton claimed that the attack was warranted because Hussein broke his vow of 'unconditional cooperation' with UN Weapons Inspectors, Republicans speculated that the strike was implemented to distract from the impeachment proceedings planned to start in the House this week.
19 December 1998 House impeaches Clinton
The House of Representatives voted to impeach President Clinton on two counts, making him only the second president to ever face a Senate trial regarding removal from office. The first impeachment article alleging Clinton lied under oath was adopted on a 228-206, largely party line vote. Although articles II and IV failed, the GOP majority prevailed, 221-212, on Article III charging Clinton with obstructing justice by tampering with witnesses and taking other steps to conceal his affair with Monica Lewinsky.
30 December 1998 McCain forms exploratory committee
Arizona Senator John McCain filed papers with the FEC today to form a presidential exploratory committee. His committee co-chair, former Senator Warren Rudman (R-NH) remarked, "Americans yearn for a new kind of leadership and John McCain is unique in his ability to offer conservative, independent experienced leadership."
4 January 1999 Dole resigns from the Red Cross
Clearing a way for a possible presidential campaign, Elizabeth Dole today resigned as President of the American Red Cross. The former Labor Secretary and wife of the 1996 Republican Presidential candidate, Bob Dole, (not so) cryptically hinted that there "may be another way for me to serve this country."
4 January 1999 Bauer considers run
Conservative activist and former Reagan aide Gary Bauer announced that he was taking a leave of absence from the two organizations that he runs: the Family Research Council, a non-profit organization that promotes conservative social issues, and the Campaign for Working Families, a multi-candidate PAC.
4 January 1999 Smith forms exploratory committee
New Hampshire Senator Bob Smith announced that he was forming a presidential exploratory committee to examine whether he should seek the Republican Presidential nomination.
5 January 1999 Ashcroft announces he will not run
Missouri Senator John Ashcroft announced today that he would not seek the 2000 Republican nomination for president. Saying, "I choose serving Missouri," Ashcroft instead announced his intention to defend his Senate seat from a possible strong Democratic challenge.
8 January 1999 Alexander forms exploratory committee
Former Tennessee Governor Lamar Alexander announced today that he would also form a presidential exploratory committee, although most have already concluded that he will run. At the time of the announcement, he was already raising money across the nation and running advertisements in New Hampshire, Iowa and other key states. His PAC raised more than $5.3 million between his 1996 campaign and the start of the 2000 cycle.
9 January 1999 Wellstone decides not to run
After eight months of exploring the possibility of running for President, Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone announced that he would not seek the Democratic nomination citing concerns about aggravating a back injury and failing to serve the people of Minnesota to the best of his ability.
11 January 1999 Bradley files statement of candidacy
Bill Bradley informed the FEC that he was officially a candidate for President and planned to launch an extensive travel and fundraising schedule.
12 January 1999 Dole and Bush run even in New Hampshire
According to a CNN/WMUR/RKM poll, if the primary election were held today, 31% of registered Republican New Hampshire voters would select Elizabeth Dole and 30% would vote for George W. Bush. The poll also revealed for favorable/unfavorable ratings. Both polls have a margin of error of +/- 5%. The results:

Who would you vote for if the election were held today?

  • Elizabeth Dole 31%
  • George W. Bush 30%
  • John McCain 7%
  • Steve Forbes 5%
  • Bob Smith 4%
  • Dan Quayle 3%
  • Pat Buchanan 3%
  • Lamar Alexander 2%
  • John Kasich 1%
  • Gary Bauer 0%

% Favorable/Unfavorable/Not Familiar with Candidate

  • George W. Bush 75/4/21
  • Elizabeth Dole 70/12/18
  • Steve Forbes 42/35/23
  • Bob Smith 41/38/21
  • Lamar Alexander 36/30/34
  • Pat Buchanan 36/43/21
  • Dan Quayle 35/51/14
  • John McCain 23/21/56
  • John Kasich 11/12/77
  • Gary Bauer 7/12/81
13 January 1999 Gore leads pack of Democrats in New Hampshire
According to a CNN/WMUR/RKM poll, if the primary election were held today, Al Gore would handily defeat all of his Democratic opponents. The poll also asked voters for their impressions of the candidates or potential candidates. Both polls have a margin of error of +/- 4%. The results:

Who would you vote for if the election were held today?

  • Al Gore 34%
  • Bill Bradley 14%
  • Dick Gephardt 12%
  • John Kerry 10%
  • Jesse Jackson 6%

Favorable/Unfavorable/Not familiar with Candidate

  • Al Gore 66/19/15
  • Dick Gephardt 53/13/34
  • Bill Bradley 43/6/51
  • John Kerry 43/30/27
  • Jesse Jackson 32/46/2
21 January 1999 Quayle announces he will run
In an appearance on Larry King Live, former Indiana Senator and Vice-President Dan Quayle announced that he would seek the Republican nomination for President. Jabbing at the relative inexperience of the Republican frontrunners, Elizabeth Dole and George W. Bush, Quayle said, "I am more prepared and more qualified than anyone else running…I won't need on-the-job training."
22 January 1999 Conservative candidates criticize Bush, Dole
Appearing before the Conservative Political Action Committee, Presidential hopeful Steve Forbes knocked George W. Bush as a "mushy moderate" and insisted that unless the Republican Party selects a conservative as their nominee, the Democrats will "take us down to defeat once again." Appearing with other GOP candidates Gary Bauer and Lamar Alexander, Forbes also criticized the legacy of the Bush and Dole names in Republican politics saying that while their names "sound familiar", the party must "try something new for a change - like winning."
2 February 1999 Presidential hopefuls appear in NH television special
Three hundred and sixty four days before the primary, the voters of New Hampshire were introduced to their possible choices for President during a CNN-WMUR special, "First in the Nation: The New Hampshire Primary." The candidates: Lamar Alexander, Bill Bradley, George W. Bush, Steve Forbes, Al Gore, John McCain, and Dan Quayle. Elizabeth Dole declined to participate. Notable comments included John McCain predicting that his "independence and my conservatism will appeal to the people of New Hampshire" and Al Gore defending President Clinton as "an outstanding president who's done an excellent job for the people of this country."
3 February 1999 Gephardt will not run
Confirming a leak from earlier in the week, House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO) announced that he would not seek the 2000 Democratic Presidential nomination, instead deciding to focus on winning back the House for the Democrats and moving up to Majority Leader.
12 February 1999 Clinton acquitted by Senate
After more than three days of secret deliberations, the Senate rejected 55-45 the first article of impeachment charging that President Clinton lied under oath in grand jury testimony. The second article, which alleged the president obstructed justice in his attempt to cover up his affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, failed on a 50-50 vote. Following the results, Clinton apologized to the nation for "what I said and did to trigger these events."
14 February 1999 Public says Clinton won, Congress lost; many sick of GOP
While 59% of the American public says President Clinton has lowered the stature of the Presidency, more say that he has been the victor in this process and Congressional Republicans have lost popularity. The results of a CNN/USAToday/Gallup poll (margin of error +/- 4%:

Impeachment Winners:

  • Democrats in Congress 60%
  • Bill Clinton 58%
  • Hillary Clinton 55%
  • Al Gore 54%
  • The Constitution 54%
  • Future presidents 51%

Impeachment Losers:

  • Ken Starr 73%
  • The GOP Congress 71%
  • The American public 52%
15 February 1999 Kasich announces exploratory committee
Advocating tax cuts and local control, Rep. John Kasich (R-OH) announced that he would likely run for President. If successful, Kasich would be the first person in over a century to make the leap directly from the House to the White House.
18 February 1999 Smith officially announces his candidacy
New Hampshire Senator Bob Smith today officially announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for President. A staunch conservative, Smith promised to use his campaign to advocate anti-abortion efforts, military funding, tax cuts and gun owners' rights.
19 February 1999 Gore courts Labor
At the AFL-CIO executive council meeting in Miami, Gore asked for the support of the Labor movement for his campaign for President. Gore has had a tenuous relationship with Labor after they disagreed sharply on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). However, Bill Bradley also voted for NAFTA, so neither candidate is truly loved by the movement.
23 February 1999 Governors get behind Bush
At the annual meeting of the National Governor's Association, Bush surrogates drummed up support for a potential presidential run. Bush friend and Michigan governor John Engler estimated that 2/3 of the Republican governors support Governor Bush for the presidency.
26 February 1999 Kerry decides not to run
Citing the difficulty in raising an exorbitant amount of money, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry announced today that he would not seek the Democratic nomination for President.
2 March 1999 Bush forms exploratory committee
Reminding reporters that he is a "compassionate conservative" with an ability to reach out to democrats and minorities, Texas Governor George W. Bush announced that he would form a presidential exploratory committee. He will announce whether he will seek the nomination of the Republican party in late May, after the Texas legislature adjourns.
2 March 1999 Buchanan will seek White House again
Wielding isolationist rhetoric and insulting the Clinton-Gore administration, ultra-conservative Pat Buchanan announced that he would again seek the Republican nomination for President.
5 March 1999 Bush leads decisively
In a new CNN/Time poll released today, voters say that if the election were held tomorrow they would vote for Texas Governor George W. Bush over Vice President Al Gore by a margin of 52% to 41%. They also believed Governor Bush to be a more decisive leader, more intelligent, and to have more new ideas.
7 March 1999 Bush announces exploratory committee
Ending months of speculation, Texas Governor George W. Bush announced today that he has formed a presidential exploratory committee. Saying that he wants "the 21st century to be one of prosperity with a purpose," Bush unveiled his high profile committee that included Michigan Gov. John Engler, the now late Republican Sen. Paul Coverdell of Georgia, former Secretary of State George Shultz, and former Republican National Committee Chairman Haley Barbour.
9 March 1999 Alexander announces candidacy
Former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander officially launched his candidacy today for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000, his second bid for the White House. Flanked by Govs. Don Sundquist of Tennessee and Mike Huckabee of Arkansas and Former four-term Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, Alexander promised to improve education and bolster the military while still offering tax cuts.
10 March 1999 Dole forms exploratory committee
In a speech short on specific policy stands and long on Republican principles, Elizabeth Dole announced that she has formed a presidential exploratory committee. Dole, former President of the American Red Cross and Secretary of Labor, is considered by many to be the most credible woman to ever run for President.
15 March 1999 Gephardt endorses Gore
Long standing rivals House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO) and Vice President Al Gore appeared together in Manchester, NH as Gephardt officially endorsed Gore for President. Gephardt was likely to have been Gore's chief challenger for the Democratic nomination, but he elected not to run.
16 March 1999 Forbes announces that he'll run
In an announcement on his website, magazine mogul Steve Forbes officially kicked off his campaign to win the Republican Presidential nomination. Forbes also held a rally at the NH statehouse to advocate the flat tax proposal that became his trademark in his failed 1996 campaign for President.
19 March 1999 Clinton holds solo press conference
In his first solo press conference in nearly a year, President Clinton prepared the nation for air strikes against Yugoslavia for the Kosovo crisis and praised Al Gore's tenure as Vice President.
22 March 1999 Daschle endorses Gore
Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) today announced that he would support Al Gore for President. The backing came as one in a series of endorsements from the Democratic establishment designed to stop Democrats from breaking rank and supporting former Senator Bill Bradley (D-NJ).
22 March 1999 NARAL launches ads against Bush, Dole
Insisting that voters might be fooled by the low key abortion approaches of George W. Bush and Elizabeth Dole, the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League today launched a series of television advertisements in Iowa and New Hampshire to remind the electorate that both candidates do not support complete abortion rights. According to Executive Director Kate Michelman, "George W. Bush opposes a woman's right to choose. Elizabeth Dole opposes a women's right to choose. But they both know they must communicate more moderate views in order to be elected."
24 March 1999 Jackson won't run
In an announcement posted on his son's website (http://jessejacksonjr.org), the Rev. Jesse Jackson told the nation that he will not seek the Democratic nomination for President in 2000. Jackson previously ran for President in 1984 and 1988.
24 March 1999 NATO, U.S. bomb Kosovo
NATO, led by the troops and resources of the United States, today launched air strikes against Yugoslavia in an attempt to stop the ethnic cleansing of Albanians in Kosovo. Clinton was criticized by Arizona Senator and Republican Presidential candidate John McCain on the floor of the Senate for neglecting to explain the strikes to the public. McCain, although supporting the action, said that Clinton's actions are a "terrible derogation of his responsibilities as commander in chief." Following McCain's remarks, President Clinton did speak to the nation in a primetime television address, saying that action was a "moral imperative." Other candidates were split in their opinion, with Alexander, Bauer, Kasich, Smith, and Buchanan opposing the action and Dole, Bush, Forbes, McCain, Bradley and Gore supporting it.
1 April 1999 McCain delays announcement
Citing the military action in Kosovo, Senator John McCain delayed his announcement that he will run for the Republican nomination for President. His spokesman said, "Given all that's going on, the senator feels this is not an appropriate time to launch a political campaign."
2 April 1999 Gore raises record amount of money
Vice President Al Gore's campaign committee today reported that it raised $8.9 million thus far in 1999, breaking the record for first-quarter fund-raising by a non-incumbent candidate.
9 April 1999 Dole clarifies abortion stance
GOP presidential hopeful Elizabeth Dole took her first forceful public stand on abortion today, calling herself "pro-life" but acknowledging that a constitutional amendment banning abortion "is not going to happen because the American people do not support it." By saying this, she echoed George W. Bush's previous statement that a ban on abortion is unlikely. Both candidates drew fire from Pat Buchanan and Gary Bauer for their compromising stance.
13 April 1999 McCain announces he will run
In a statement issued by his campaign, Senator John McCain announced, "While now is not the time for the celebratory tour I had planned, I am a candidate for president and I will formally kick off my campaign at a more appropriate time."
14 April 1999 Quayle announces his candidacy
In a speech at his former high school, former Vice President Dan Quayle announced that he would seek the Republican nomination for President. He heavily criticized both Bill Clinton and Al Gore, calling the current Administration, the "dishonest decade of Bill Clinton and Al Gore," and pledged to make family values a cornerstone of his campaign.
15 April 1999 FEC reports show Bush, Gore leading money race
The Federal Election Commission today released the first quarter fundraising reports, showing that Al Gore and George W. Bush have dominated the dash for campaign cash. The reports:

Al Gore $6.9 million cash, no debts
George W. Bush $6.8 million cash, no debts
Bill Bradley $2.9 million cash, no debts
John McCain $2.8 million cash, $500,000 in debts
Elizabeth Dole $500,000 cash, $113,000 in debts
Gary Bauer $490,000 cash, $425,000 in debts
Dan Quayle $500,000 cash, $675,000 in debts
Lamar Alexander $90,000 cash, $200,000 in debts
Bob Smith $60,000 cash, no debt
Steve Forbes spent $694,000 of his own money

20 April 1999 Bradley derides racism
Promising to make racial harmony a key focus of his campaign, Bill Bradley said today in a campaign speech, "For me the quest for racial unity remains the defining moral issue of our time. It's the reason I first ran for public office."
21 April 1999 Bauer announces candidacy, criticizes "virtue deficit"
Focusing his comments on yesterday's school shootings at Columbine High School, social conservative activist Gary Bauer announced that he will seek the Republican nomination for President. "American children are dead. Not in Kosovo, but in Colorado," Bauer said. Such a tragedy forces Americans to ask "ourselves whether or not America can still be a shining city on a hill or if we are going to continue to sink into the violence and despair."
22 April 1999 Columbine shooting reinvigorates gun control debate
A CNN/USAToday/Gallup poll released today showed that the public blames the easy accessibility of guns the number one reason for the Columbine massacre. Gun control advocates used the poll numbers to advocate the more than forty gun control measures pending in the Senate. The poll results:

"How much do you blame each of the following for incidents like the shootings in Littleton, Colorado?"

Deserves great deal of blame for shootings:

  • Availability of guns 60%
  • Parents 51%
  • TV, movies and music 49%
  • Teen pressure 43%
  • The Internet 34%
  • Media coverage 34%
  • Schools 11%
3 May 1999 Poll: Gore gains, Bush loses; Dole on the rise
A CNN/USAToday/Gallup poll released today showed that Al Gore has solidified his support among Democrats, while George W. Bush has lost some ground to the recent insurgency of Elizabeth Dole. The results (asked to registered voters in the respective parties, margin of error +/- 5%):

Which candidate would you be most likely to support for the Democratic nomination for president in the year 2000?

  Now April
Gore 66% 54%
Bradley 23 34


Which candidate would you be most likely to support for the Republican nomination for president in the year 2000?

  Now April
Bush 42% 53%
Dole 24 16
Quayle 6 *
Forbes 6 *
Buchanan 5 *
McCain 4 *
Alexander 3 *
Bauer 3 *
Kasich 1 *

17 May 1999 Bob Dole might support McCain, questions wife's campaign
In an interview published in the New York Times today, Former Senator and Republican Presidential nominee, Bob Dole, said that he's considering contributing to the campaign of one of his wife's presidential competitors, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). "McCain's my friend. And he's not raising the money that (Texas Gov.) George Bush is. I think we need to keep good people in the race," Dole said. "So I've thought about ways to help McCain in particular." But, Dole added, "I think I'd check with Elizabeth first." On the chances of Mrs. Dole's lack of fundraising support, Dole said that her candidacy is starting slow, "If she can't raise the money," he said, "obviously it's pretty hard to be a candidate."
30 May 1999 TX legislature passes historic tax cut; frees Bush to campaign
Today, the Texas state legislature approved tax cuts worth about $1.85 billion, $800 million less than originally proposed by Governor George W. Bush wanted, but still the largest in the state's history. Many predict that following this success, Governor Bush will run on a platform of large tax cuts. He has previously said that he would not start officially campaigning for president until the legislature had adjourned, so he is now free to hit the trail.
1 June 1999 Buchanan rips opponents on foreign policy
In a speech at the Washington Press Club, Republican presidential candidate Pat Buchanan said that his "principal rivals" for the nomination (Bush, Forbes, McCain, and Dole) are "virtual Xerox copies of Clinton and Gore" on issues like trade status with China, the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. He also criticized the action in Kosovo as "an illegal and unconstitutional war" based on no "vital U.S. interest."
3 June 1999 Alexander slashes staff, travel
Republican presidential hopeful Lamar Alexander has decided to cut his campaign staff and travel schedule extensively, blaming a dearth of funds available to the amazing ability of George W. Bush to fundraise. Hoping that once Bush is out on the campaign trail, he will lose momentum, Alexander fell short of dropping out the race completely.
3 June 1999 Ford warns GOP of the dangers of being too conservative
At a speech today at the National Press Club, Ford said Republicans "won't win the presidency if we rely on the extreme right-wing for our candidate and our policy. ... For us to repeat again a campaign where we're way over on the right side would be a waste of time and money."
12 June 1999 Bush starts campaigning
This weekend, Governor George W. Bush, the Republican front runner for president, finally started to campaign. Bush visited Iowa on June 12 and New Hampshire on June 14, becoming the last major presidential candidate to make the journey to the key early caucus and primary states. The other GOP candidates also visited Iowa to press the flesh at the World Pork Expo.
15 June 1999 Poll: Many will vote against Gore
In a CNN poll released today, 45% of voters said that they will definitely vote against Al Gore, regardless of who the Republican nominee is, while only 27% said they will definitely vote against George W. Bush. The poll also showed that voters overwhelmingly trust Bush to both manage the economy and handle foreign policy issues more effectively than Gore.
16 June 1999 Gore announces candidacy
In a carefully crafted speech to more than 8,000 supporters in his home state of Tennessee, Albert Gore, Jr. officially announced his intention to run for POTUS. In the speech he emphasized his willingness to fight for America's families, his ability to maintain the nation's robust economy, and his plans to improve health care, crime control and education.
17 June 1999 Forbes raises over $1 million at fundraiser
Proving that he can reach beyond his personal fortune, Steve Forbes raised $1.1 million today at a fundraiser at Manhattan's Waldorf-Astoria hotel - the largest fundraiser that Forbes has ever held.
18 June 1999 Keyes forms exploratory committee
Conservative talk show host and former Ambassador, Alan Keyes, today formed an exploratory committee to examine a possible run for the Republican nomination for President.
21 June 1999 Virginia, California change primaries
Jockeying for attention in the presidential race, Virginia's Republican Party leaders voted this weekend to hold an earlier presidential primary next February, and their counterparts in California decided to change their presidential primary from a "winner-take-all" system to one that would allow multiple candidates to split the state's many delegates.
22 June 1999 Bush holds record-setting fundraiser
In town to meet with Congressional Republicans, George W. Bush raised over $2 million at a single fundraiser in Washington, D.C. today.
23 June 1999 Bradley cites need for "trust"
Saying that "trust is frayed" in government, Democratic presidential hopeful Bill Bradley spoke to Iowa voters this week about the need for a "fresh start," tacitly associating Vice President Al Gore with the Clinton impeachment scandal, a problem that many predict will plague Gore.
25 June 1999 Gore gets Iowa union's endorsement
Elbowing Bill Bradley out of the way, Vice President Al Gore today received the endorsement of the Iowa state chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the largest union representing Iowa state workers and a major political force in the state.
27 June 1999 Hatch says he'll run
On today's Meet the Press, Utah Senator Orrin Hatch announced that he will also seek the Republican nomination for President in 2000. Conceding that he's a long shot, Hatch joined a crowded field because his aides say he believes that the rest of the field is not strong enough to step up if front runner George W. Bush falters.
28 June 1999 UAW endorses Gore
Today Vice President Al Gore received the politically important endorsement of the Iowa United Auto Workers, although the group has criticized his position on free trade.
30 June 1999 McCain sticks with campaign finance reform
In a high profile speech in Bedford, New Hampshire, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) pledged to make campaign finance reform a mainstay of his campaign for president. Refuting Republican's insistence that Americans do not care about CFR, McCain maintained that that "Most Americans care very much that the Lincoln Bedroom has become a Motel 6 where the president of the United states serves as a bellhop."
4 July 1999 Sunday papers criticize, defend Bush's National Guard service
The Los Angeles Times reported today that despite a long waiting list nationwide, Texas Governor George W. Bush easily got in the National Guard and received a commission as a second lieutenant, despite lacking the credentials many other candidates had, such as ROTC or previous aviation experience. However, the Dallas Morning News reported that while Bush's unit in Texas had a waiting list for many spots, he was accepted because he was one of only a handful of applicants willing and qualified to spend more than a year in active training flying F-102 jets.
5 July 1999 Kerrey endorses Bradley
Nebraska Senator Bob Kerrey today endorsed former colleague Bill Bradley for the Democratic nomination for President. While the endorsement expected (Kerrey lost to Clinton for President in 1992 and has vocally criticized the Administration, and is a long time friend of Bradley), many still believe the endorsement will lend Bradley credibility and a give the former Senator a much needed boost in Iowa.
12 July 1999 Smith abandons GOP; will seek a third party presidential

run New Hampshire Senator Bob Smith announced today on Larry King Live that he is leaving the Republican Party because of his objection to the direction of the party's mainstream, which has softened its position on abortion and gun control. He said, "I came to the Republican Party on principle, and I'm leaving on principle." He hinted that he may either form his own party or seek the nomination of the U.S. Taxpayer's Party. He followed with a scathing Senate floor speech on July 13.
22 July 1999 Bradley calls for soft money ban
In a speech at the National Press Club, Bill Bradley promised if he were selected as the Democratic nominee for President that he would not accept soft money contributions as long as his Republican counterpart made the same vow.
26 July 1999 Forbes launches media blitz
Today, multi-millionaire and Republican presidential candidate Steve Forbes launched a $10 million advertising campaign in Iowa and New Hampshire highlighting his family and his commitment to the pro-life movement.
26 July 1999 Gore, Bradley campaigns exchange harsh words
In a letter from campaign chairman Douglas Berman, the Bill Bradley campaign poked at the vice president's woes after his questionable 1996 fund-raising tactics -- soliciting campaign contributions on official White House phones and wooing donors inside a Buddhist temple. Gore campaign chairman Tony Coelho responded by saying the former New Jersey senator gave up the fight for campaign finance reform when he "abandoned the Senate for private life and two million dollars in special interest speaking and consulting fees."
26 July 1999 McCain says he will not leave GOP
Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain of Arizona said today he has no intentions of leaving the Republican Party after Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura suggested he would be a strong candidate for the Reform Party nomination. McCain said that he was flattered by the suggestion but said that the GOP is the "the real party of reform" and that he intended to reach out to Reform Party voters in his presidential candidacy.

Jan. 24 Iowa Presidential caucuses
Alaska Republican caucuses and straw poll
Feb. 1 New Hampshire Presidential primaries
Feb. 7-13 Hawaii Republican caucuses
Feb. 8 Delaware Republican primary
Feb. 19 South Carolina Republican primary
Feb. 22 Arizona Republican primary
Michigan Republican primary
Feb. 26 American Samoa Republican caucuses
Feb. 26 Guam Republican caucuses
Virgin Islands Republican caucuses
Feb. 27 Puerto Rico Republican primary
Feb. 29 North Dakota Republican caucuses
Virginia Republican primary
Washington* Republican primaries
March 7 American Samoa Democratic caucus
California Presidential primaries
Connecticut Presidential primaries
Georgia Presidential primaries
Hawaii Democratic caucuses
Idaho Democratic caucuses
Maine Presidential primaries
Maryland Presidential primaries
Massachusetts Presidential primaries
Minnesota Presidential caucuses
Missouri Presidential primaries
New York Presidential primaries
North Dakota Democratic caucuses
Ohio Presidential primaries
Rhode Island Presidential primaries
Vermont Presidential primaries
Washington Presidential caucuses
March 9 South Carolina Democratic primary (party-run)
March 10 Colorado Presidential primaries
Utah Presidential primaries
Wyoming Republican primary
March 11 Arizona Democratic primary (party-run)
Michigan Democratic primary (party-run)
March 12 Nevada Democratic caucuses
March 14 Florida Presidential primaries
Louisiana Presidential primaries
Mississippi Presidential primaries
Oklahoma Presidential primaries
Tennessee Presidential primaries
Texas Presidential primaries
March 21 Illinois Presidential primaries
Nevada Republican caucuses
March 25 Alaska Democratic caucuses
Wyoming Democratic caucuses
March 26 Puerto Rico Democratic primary
March 27 Delaware Democratic primary
April 1 Virgin Islands Democratic caucus
April 4 Pennsylvania Presidential primaries
Wisconsin Presidential primaries
April 15, 17 Virginia Democratic caucuses
May 2 Indiana Presidential primaries
North Carolina Presidential primaries
Washington, D.C. Presidential primaries
May 9 Nebraska Presidential primaries
West Virginia Presidential primaries
May 16 Oregon Presidential primaries
May 23 Arkansas Presidential primaries
Idaho Republican primary
Kentucky Presidential primaries
June 6 Alabama Presidential primaries
Montana Presidential primaries
New Jersey Presidential primaries
New Mexico Presidential primaries
South Dakota Presidential primaries

Friday, June 23 Sunday, June 25 Green Party Nominating Convention, Denver
July 31-Aug. 3 Republican National Convention Philadelphia, Pa.
Thursday, Aug. 10 Sunday, Aug. 13 Reform Party National Convention, Long Beach, Ca.
Aug. 14-17 Democratic National Convention Los Angeles, Calif.
Tuesday, Oct. 3 First Presidential Debate, John F. Kennedy Library at the University of Massachusetts, Boston
Thursday, Oct. 5 Vice Presidential Debate, Centre College, Danville, Ky.
Wednesday, Oct. 11 Second Presidential Debate, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Tuesday, Oct. 17 Third Presidential Debate, Washington University, St. Louis, Mo.
Tuesday, Nov. 7 Election Day