Political notebook for October 2, 2000

Monday, Oct. 2, 2000 | 2:50 a.m.

Planned Parenthood plans campaign advertising blitz

Planned Parenthood says it will spend $7 million advertising about the presidential candidates' position on abortion in seven "key battleground states" -- among them, Nevada.

This week through the Nov. 7 election, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund will focus its television ad campaign on Nevada, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington.

Democratic candidate Al Gore is for abortion rights, while Republican candidate George W. Bush opposes abortion.

"In our 84-year history, no election has been so critical to women's rights and health," Gloria Feldt, president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said in a news release. "This election is too important to remain silent."

It was not known how much of the money would be spent in Nevada. Attempts to reach a spokesman at the group's Washington, D.C., office were not successful.

In addition to its work in the key battleground states, Planned Parenthood also plans direct-mail and phone campaigning in eight other states.

Planned Parenthood also is involved in state and local races. In California alone it says it expects to spend $1 million on public education.

Candidate forum

Clark County District C candidates Lois Tarkanian, a Democrat, and Chip Maxfield, a Republican, will address voters and answer their questions 7 p.m. Thursday at the West Charleston Library.

The event will be hosted by Charleston Neighborhood Preservation, which represents 13,800 households.

For more information call 877-2438.

Candidates night

The Nevada Voters League Candidates Night is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at the West Las Vegas Library, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd.

Each candidate will be given three minutes to inform voters of their plans should they be elected to office.

For more information, contact Jesse Scott at 399-3553.

Health care

A report offering "neutral information" on the health care proposals of presidential candidates Al Gore and George W. Bush is available on the Internet ( www.kff.org).

The report by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation addresses health coverage for the uninsured, managed care and patients rights, Medicare reform, prescription drug coverage for senior citizens and long-term care.