Section A · Page 7
The University Daily Kansan
Thursday, February 24, 2000
Nation/World
McCain's recent wins worry Bush supporters
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Shaken by defeat, Republican leaders allied with George W. Bush strongly criticized his campaign tactics yesterday and warned that rival John McCain is a serious threat to the hobbled GOP front-runner.
Governors, fund-raisers and ranking GOP officials second-guessed Bush and his strategists in the aftermath of McCain's sweep of Michigan and Arizona in Tuesday primaries. The complaints ranged from his decision to visit a conservative South Carolina university — which one governor called "stupid" — to the $1 million TV ad campaign in McCain's home state.
"I think there's a learning curve happening right now in terms of running a national campaign," said Chris DePino, chairman of the Connecticute Republican Party and a staunch Bush supporter.
The allies said they still thought Bush would prevail in upcoming primaries.
"When it comes down to it, and they
McCain: has shaken the supporters of Bush
actually have to choose a nominee and a president, voters are going to be looking for the guy who had done stuff and not just look at the slogans and a lot of rah rah," said Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. "That's when Governor Bush will prevail."
But their willingness to critique the campaign underscores a growing concern about the candidate they anointed a front-runner long before the first votes were cast.
McCain, meanwhile, crowed about his "overwhelming and phenomenal victory" during a Washington state swing, as both campaigns drew up strategies for a two-week stretch of contests in 16 states and four American territories.
Republicans were hit with the stark realization yesterday that they may be in for a long. expensive race that could produce a weakened nominee.
"There's a lot of people who signed on early with Gov. Bush who are wondering why this is going on so long," said New Hampshire party chairman Steve Duprey.
The sentiment was echoed throughout GOP circles, as the fallout from the Michigan defeat engulfed Bush's closest allies.
Several said his visit to Bob Jones University, renown for anti-Catholic sentiments. gave McCain an issue in Michigan
and several other primary states with large Catholic populations
"I think it was stupid," Connecticut Gov. John Rowland said.
Oklahoma Gov.
Frank Keating, one of
Bush's closest allies,
questioned why the
Texan spent $1 million
to air TV ads in
Arizona. McCain didn't
air any ads.
"You want to play in every state and show
Bush: struggled to explain campaign tactics
that you're a national candidate, but obviously a sitting senator's home state is not a place you want to invest many resources." Keating said.
DePino, one of Bush's early fund-raisers, sighed loudly into the telephone when the subject of Arizona spending came up.
"I just wish I had a little more input on how they directed some of this money," he said.
Bush struggled to defend the Arizona spending, telling reporters, "I never expected to win Arizona. It was just part of our overall strategy."
Man charged in child's dragging death
The Associated Press
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — As 6-year-old Jake Robel waited in the car while his mother dashed into a sandwich shop, a thief jumped behind the wheel and tried to shove the boy outside.
Inside the shop, someone yelled that Christy Robel's car was being stolen. She ran outside, pulled open the rear door and frantically tried to free her son, who was tangled in a seat belt.
The driver took off, the door closed and Jake remained entangled and trapped outside the rear driver's side door. The boy screamed for help and his mother yelled for the driver to stop. He didn't. It was the last time Robel saw her biveal.
Jake D. Robel of Blue Springs died Tuesday before the driver of the Chevrolet Blazer be stopped by pursuing motorists. Witnesses said a five-mile chase reached speeds of 80 mph.
Kim L. Davis, 34, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged yesterday with second-degree murder, robbery, child abuse and kidnapping.
As the horror unfolded Tuesday, Sharon Irwin was sitting in her car at the strip mall waiting for her granddaughter's dental appointment to end.
He was jailed without bail.
"Suddenly, I heard somebody screaming and hollering. I turned my head and saw this woman screaming and this Blazer driving by. I thought they had got in a fight and it was a husband or boyfriend driving off," Irwin said. "Then I turned my head again and saw he was dragging something. I heard the woman scream, "That's my baby, that's my son."
Irwin said the Blazer flew out of the parking lot at a high speed.
During the chase, motorists along Interstate 70 east of Kansas City flashed their lights and honked horns in an attempt to stop the vehicle. It ended when motorists in two trucks and a car surrounded the Blazer at a stoplight.
Witnesses said motorists wrestled the man to the ground and waited for police to arrive; they also tied the man's legs with a rope.
Nearby, Jake lay dead, most of his clothes.
ripped away. An 11-year-old boy who emerged from one of the vehicles took a large white blanket and placed it over him.
Bob Beaird, Jackson County prosecutor, would not speculate about whether the driver knew the child was being dragged.
But Irwin said it is difficult to believe the driver didn't see the boy, because he was on the driver's side of the car.
"I think that man needs to be dragged himself, just like he dragged that kid," she said. "He needs to get the death penalty. He killed an innocent kid."
The boy's family released a statement last night.
"We love him, miss him and will always keep his spirit with us. We want to take this opportunity to extend thanks and appreciation to the people who ended this tragedy. We also want to thank friends, neighbors and the community for the outpouring of offers and sympathy."
Jury begins deliberations in police officers' trial
Meanwhile a 4-foot cross, balloons and flowers stood at the corner where the chase ended. One of the bouquets held a note that read, "God Bless You, Jake. From Dad."
The Associated Press
ALBANY, N.Y. — The jury began deliberating yesterday in the case of four white police officers charged with killing an unarmed black man, after the judge said the jurors could acquit if they thought the officers acted in self-defense.
The officers could be cleared if jurors believe their claim that they fired 41 bullets at Amadou Dialio because they thought he had a gun and wanted to shoot the justice Joseph Terseli said.
He gave the jurors the option of considering charges other than murder and told them the law allows police officers to stop and question someone if wrongdoing is suspected.
The judge spent more than three hours going over the legal instructions for each of 24 criminal counts, and then the jury spent about six hours deliberating. They were sequestered for the night and were scheduled to return Thursday.
"You should figuratively put yourselves in the shoes of each defendant and consider how the situation appeared to him," the judge said. "You should consider what Amadou Diallo did before or during the encounter."
Earlier, Teresi replaced a female juror for talking about the case outside of court. The jury now is composed of four black women, one white woman and seven white men.
The officers each have pleaded innocent to second-degree murder. They face a maximum prison sentence of 25 years to life if convicted.
1947 plane crash remains found in Andes volcano
The Associated Press
TRES QUERBRADAS, Argentina — Army mountaineers were descending yesterday from a towering Andes volcano with the remains of at least three victims of a British plane that crashed there 52 years ago.
The 17-member expedition force, on a hazardous descent by foot and on mules, also were carrying key pieces of the plane, which vanished without a trace and was spotted only last month high on the 21.848-foot Tunupungo volcano.
Operated by the new defunct British South American Airways, the Stardust plane was carrying 11 people — five crew members and six passengers—and was headed to Santiago, Chile, when it disappeared during a snowstorm on Aug. 2, 1947.
Army Lt. Col. Ricardo Bustos could not identify the victims except to say that the remains of one woman were found at the site in the Andes mountains.
A photograph released by the army showed a rocky slope covered with scraps of clothing and a severed human hand.
Busto said the group also had recovered pieces of the engine and landing gear on the debris-strewn slope some 16,500 feet up the volcano.
A Recognition of Excellence
The Board of Class Officers (BOCO) Presents
The C.L.A.S.S. Award 2000 Finalists
Jim Boyle - Health Services Mary Chappell - Recreation Services Pat Disque - Department of Student Housing Laura Morgan - Student Development Center Robert Page- Multicultural Affairs
Today, the award remains the only honor given to a staff member by the Senior Class.
In 1987, the Senior Class established the C.L.A.S.S. Award to honor a staff member in the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Kansas.
The Class of 2000 continues this tradition by recognizing a staff member for distinguished achievements in student services, commitment to the needs of KU students,and contributions to the welfare of students at the University of Kansas.
The 2000 C.L.A.S.S. Award will be presented at Allen Fieldhouse at the KU vs. Baylor basketball game on February 26,2000
The Department of Student Housing Dining Services
Ekdahl Dining 864-2260 GSP Dining 864-3120
Oliver Dining 864-4087
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN FRIDAY'S POSTER
Kansan classifieds can sell almost anything.
... ALMOST
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