Schieffer: Political Body Count

Campaign 2000 is moving so quickly that already more candidates have dropped out than are usually running this early in the political season. So it's not too soon to wonder whatever happened to the also-rans.

Ohio Congressman John Kasich was the first to drop out of the Presidential race and he's also leaving politics. But he'll still be busy. His wife is expecting twins.

Lamar Alexander who been running non-stop since the early '90s has finally had enough. He's quitting politics and starting an Internet company.

Dan Quayle has no immediate plans his office says other than resting.

Elizabeth Dole and husband Bob are expanding their living space at the famous Watergate. They bought the apartment next door - which belonged to Monica Lewinsky of all people - knocked a hole in the wall and are busy decorating.

And then there's New Hampshire Senator Bob Smith who quit the Republican Party to run for President as an Independent because he said the party no longer stood for anything...or some such.

But when the campaign went nowhere and he had to give it up, the Party started looking better and better.

Especially after John Chafee, the Chairman of the Senate Environmental Committee, died.

You see, Smith had been second in seniority to Chafee on the committee. So in order to reclaim his seniority and replace Chafee as Chairman, Smith had to become a Republican again.

Once Chafee was buried, he did just that and this week - with the blessing of Senate Republicans - he became Chairman.

Leaves you with a warm and fuzzy feeling doesn't it?