Occasional morsels from Campaign 2000

McCain’s Charms

GOP hopeful John McCain admits he is superstitious to the point of having lucky shoes, a lucky Hopi Indian feather, a lucky pin and a tradition of going to the movies with his wife, Cindy, on election days. The McCains and their children planned to rent a video or watch a pay-per-view movie today at their Nashua, N.H., hotel.

Gore: Use or Lose

Al Gore detailed his exercise regimen Monday during a morning radio interview. On the campaign trail, Gore said he tries to run every morning, or, in inclement weather, to use a treadmill. He also does strength exercises--sit-ups and push-ups--every other day. “I have found, at the age of 51,” Gore said, “you’ve got to use it or lose it.”

W&L; Picks G-W

George W. Bush will be the Republicans’ nominee for president, according to the students of Washington & Lee University. The Lexington, Va., college’s mock convention has a near-perfect record of predicting presidential nominees--nailing it 16 times in 21 attempts, with only one miss since 1952.

Corn Fuels Forbes

The self-funded Steve Forbes has money to burn on the campaign trail, but he’s burning less fuel. One of Forbes’ signature buses uses ethanol, the fuel additive made from corn. “Every time this one stops for fuel,” said Forbes’ driver, Johnny Williams, pointing to the bus that carries reporters and Forbes’ staff, “it takes 10% less.” And on the road, Williams said, the 20-year old, 33,000-pound bus is a zippier ride. “This one will blow your doors off.”

By the Numbers

69--Percentage of New Hampshire voters who said they had been polled at least one time in the last six months.

200,000--About the number of dollars that Bush’s campaign spends per day.

Quote File

“Any human being who has been around Bradley for the last six weeks is asking, ‘Why do you act like a 6-foot, 5-inch Yoda?’ ”

--Bradley supporter Sen. Bob Kerrey of Nebraska, saying his candidate has been too easy on rival Al Gore.

Compiled by Massie Ritsch, in Manchester, N.H., from Times staff and wire reports.