Even though there hasn't been a lot of breaking news lately in Cincinnati, my sense is that the campaign finance hearings in Washington have not been getting a lot of attention. They were front page news on the first day, inside after that. I don't sense that people are talking about it on the street; the topic certainly hasn't generated much in the way of letters to the editor.

The prominent role being played by Sen. John Glenn has given the story more importance than it otherwise would get here in the center of the known universe. But reports that he might be going back into space generated far more interest than anything that's come out of the committee hearings so far.

Most North Dakotans seem to have little interest in the campaign finance hearings. Their main concern in Washington these days is aid to help recover from winter storms and spring floods.

The one aspect that has raised a bit of interest is North Dakota native David Strauss, until recently Vice President Al Gore's deputy chief of staff. Notes Strauss took during a meeting with President Clinton and other key Democratic figures indicate the president raised $500,000 during a series of calls. Clinton says he cannot remember that. North Dakota's Republican Party chairman sent to letter to the Senate committee asking that Strauss be investigated.