Washington Wrap

Dotty Lynch, Douglas Kiker, Beth Lester, Clothilde Ewing, Jamie English and Sean Sharifi of the CBS News Political Unit have the latest from the nation's capital.

Tuesday's Headlines

* Cindy McCain Stable After Stroke

* Misery is in the Eye of the Indexer

* At a Loss

* Could Gun Owners be the New NASCAR Dads and Soccer Moms of 2004?

* Brewer Take Coors Name on the Campaign Trail

* Five GOP Runoffs In Texas Today

* Dean and Hillary Clinton Make a Comeback in CBSNews.com Interactive VP Poll

Cindy McCain Hospitalized: John McCain's wife, Cindy, has been hospitalized in Phoenix after suffering a stroke.

Sen. McCain's office says his wife suffered "a small cerebral hemorrhage" on Monday yesterday and is in stable condition. Doctors are continuing to do tests, and McCain's office said Mrs. McCain's prognosis is "cautiously excellent." Her speech has been
mildly affected.

Mrs. McCain is expected to be released from the hospital in the next few days.

Misery Not So Bad After All: After John Kerry released his own version of the misery index on Monday, independent groups are investigating why Sen. Kerry came up with his own measurements instead of relying on the traditional misery index. According to the non-partisan group FactCheck.org, the reason is simple: "Kerry's campaign has invented a new 'misery index' that makes Bush's economic record look, well, miserable. Why a new index? Perhaps because the classic 'misery index' -- which adds together the unemployment rate and the rate of inflation -- currently is better than it's been in most years since World War II."

In fact, FactCheck notes, the classic misery index is "lower than it's been in all but 20 of the previous 56 years on record. It never got this low during any of the years under Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan or Mr. Bush's father." Moreover, today's numbers are lower — meaning the country is less miserable — than during the first four years of Democrats' economic poster boy, Bill Clinton.

So how does Kerry make Mr. Bush's policies look so miserable? Kerry's misery index, explains FactCheck, "is, to put it mildly, selective." Kerry's index uses the cost of college tuition, gasoline and health care. And "rather than use the overall unemployment rate — which was 5.5% at this point in Clinton's first term, only two-tenths of one percent lower than now -- Kerry has used the number of jobs, which produces a more negative picture." In a conference call with reporters yesterday, Kerry economic advisor Gene Sperling said that the cases chosen were based on what consumers "see and feel" and "trying to look at what directly affected pocketbooks." That could be the case but it may be part of a larger pattern of politicians "spinning economic figures." FactCheck.org concludes, "We pointed out earlier a Republican attempt to claim that after-tax income was up when the Census Bureau reported it was down. Our advice: be wary of all politicians spouting economic statistics."

Boston Convention a Loss-er?: Although John Kerry is hoping that Boston will be the site of a party-unifying, bounce-inducing coronation, the city itself seems brace for a loss. A financial loss, that is. As the Boston Globe reports, a Beacon Hill Institute study finds that, "Thousands of Boston commuters delayed by subway and road closings for the Democratic National Convention will cost area businesses $23.8 million in lost productivity and push the economic impact of the event into the red." This loss contrasts sharply with what Boston Mayor Thomas Menino predicted would be a major gain for the city's coffers. At one point, the Beacon Hill Institute estimated a $122 million gain. But since that estimation, plans to close down the North Station commuter rail and subway stop and the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge and the relocation of Sail Boston and the US Olympic gymnastics trials have changed the picture dramatically. Now, the Institute reports, "Taking into account these losses, totaling $134.4 million, Boston's economy will lose $12.8 million by staging the convention."

Some question the study's accuracy, with Globe noting that, "Economists view economic impact studies with skepticism. It is difficult to assign accurate values to costs and benefits, and some consequences of an event are impossible to predict at all." And "Boston's revenue manager, Chris Giuliani, disputed the Beacon Hill Institute's finding that the convention will be a negative for the city's economy. Menino's report, released April 1, estimated a $154.2 million gain from its economic spillover as convention spending is cycled through the area." With the convention slated to begin in 202 days, look for the controversy to continue through then.

Turning briefly from woe-ridden Boston, New Yorkers seem positive about the impact of the Republican National Convention in their city. According to a new Marist College Poll (conducted March 30 through April 2, margin of error 3.5 percent), "59% of New York City residents, including 60% of Democrats, think hosting the national Republican convention this summer is good for the city." And despite all the negative press, 56% residents of the greater Boston area said the convention was "worth the hassle."

Trouble on the Gun Front for Bush?: Conventional political wisdom holds that Mr. Bush and the Republican Party have the vote of gun-owning Americans pretty well locked-up, but The Los Angeles Times reports that: "Four years later, some gun owners have grown so disenchanted with President Bush that they may cast a protest vote for a third-party candidate, stay away from the polls, or even back the likely Democratic nominee, gun-control advocate John F. Kerry. "

The Times continues: "It's unclear how many gun owners could be counted as activists, but they are affiliated with a variety of organizations, from the NRA and Gun Owners of America to smaller state and regional organizations around the country. And they could play a pivotal role in the outcome of this year's presidential race."

The Times lays out the importance of the gun vote: "About 75 million to 80 million Americans own firearms, with at least one gun in roughly 40% of households nationwide, according to several studies by gun-rights and gun-control organizations. Though most gun owners cast their ballots based on a range of concerns, some estimates put as high as 10 million the number who vote mainly based on gun-rights issues. Large percentages of gun owners live in such swing states as Oregon, Arizona, Missouri, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Arkansas. And their participation is likely to be vital to both parties in what is expected to be a close election."

What's irritating some gun rights advocates, however, is not necessarily gun policy, the paper says. "Surprisingly, the issues that have most alienated many gun groups from the Bush administration have little to do with firearms, but rather with the Patriot Act and other homeland security measures instituted after Sept. 11. Opposition to such laws has aligned gun-rights activists with unlikely partners, such as liberal Democrats and the ACLU … The Bush administration has come down on the side of gun-rights groups on several issues, perhaps most notably in opposing efforts to hold firearm manufacturers liable for damages caused by their products. But it also has repeatedly disappointed gun activists on other issues, from refusing to allow airline pilots to arm themselves to quietly supporting the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban."

The Times says mainstream gun-rights advocates still are likely to vote for Mr. Bush despite the grumbling. "Leaders of the NRA - with 4 million members, the largest gun-rights group - are likely to back Bush again in 2004, but mainly because they don't like Kerry. 'If you look at a potential Kerry administration, it might have an attorney general that would have to pass muster with [gun-control advocates Sens.] Chuck Schumer, a Dianne Feinstein, a Hillary Clinton. That is not a freedom-friendly group,' NRA spokesman Andrew Arulanandam said."

If the article is accurate, however, Vice President Dick Cheney — an avid bird hunter himself — still could have some feathers to smooth on Saturday night when he gives the keynote speech the NRA's annual convention in Pittsburgh.

The LA Times reports that the NRA expects 50,000 members to attend the convention. The organization has been tight-lipped about who else will be speaking to its members and does not plan to release the names of speakers until Thursday, a day before the convention starts, a spokeswoman tells CBS News.

For his part, Mr. Bush tried last week to smooth the feathers of some hunting advocacy groups by giving them a tour of his ranch. Among the organizations that traveled to Crawford were representatives from the NRA, Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever.

Heir to Coors Throne Will Run for Senate: Peter Coors, chairman of the Adolph Coors Co., will announce today on the Colorado State Senate steps his campaign for U.S. Senate, reports the Rocky Mountain News. Among those joining Coors are Gov. Bill Owens, Rep. Scott McInnis, and retiring Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell.

Owens withdrew his endorsement of conservative former U.S. Rep. Bob Schaffer yesterday, "and threw his support behind Peter Coors, the deep-pocketed political novice who runs the Coors beer empire", the Denver Post reports. Schaffer, perceived as being on the far-right of the GOP, said Owens broke the news in a brief phone call.

"He said he was sorry and I told him that I forgive him," Schaffer said. He said Owens listed his complaints, but Schaffer refused to disclose what was said. "His reasons are his, and I'm not here to articulate them," Schaffer said.

As Coors hits the campaign trail, he will take an unpaid leave from the brewing company. He plans to raise the money he needs for the campaign but is prepared to put his own money in if necessary. "With former GOP state chairman Bruce Benson in his corner, Coors is expected to attract a lot of cash", the Denver Post reports.

When asked why he wants to run for Senate, Coors said, "I'm very fortunate to be blessed with a family that engaged in a great enterprise in Colorado, and I inherited a lot of benefits. I'm at a point in my life ... where I really want to pay back my country for all that I've enjoyed."

Coors and his wife Marilyn, a professor of medical ethics at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, say they have been discussing his run for Senate for decades. It became clear a week ago the time was now.

Coors will challenge Schaffer in the Republican primary, and the winner is expected to face Democratic Colorado Attorney General Ken Salazar in the general election.

Hot House Races in Texas: The most expensive U.S. House race so far this year ends today as Texas Republicans settle five congressional runoffs caused by redistricting. The Dallas Morning News reports that in the race for the 10th District, Houston mortgage banker Ben Streusand has spent $3.3 million of his own money to defeat former federal prosecutor Michael McCaul of Austin, who has spent about $1.4 million. The winner will not face a Democratic challenger.

Meanwhile in the 17th District, St. Rep. Arlene Wohlgemuth, R-Burleson, is fighting former Waco school board president Dot Snyder. Wohlgemuth has received more than $400,000 from the Club for Growth, a conservative anti-tax group. The winner of today's runoff goes on to challenge incumbent Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco.

In East Texas' 1st District, former appeals court Judge Louie Gohmert and Longview attorney John Graves are vying to take on Rep. Max Sandlin, D-Marshall. The other GOP runoffs are in heavily Democratic South Texas districts.

The Peoples's VP Choice Award Goes To: As John Kerry continues his quest to find the perfect vice president, he may be wise to take a look at CBSNews.com, where people have been logging on to advise Kerry whom he should choose for his number two. CBS News.com's Joel Roberts reports that "while Instant Internet polls may not be scientific, they do yield interesting results. The poll shows, rather unsurprisingly, that Sen. John Edwards is the top pick followed by Sen. John McCain, still a popular choice despite repeated claims that he's not going to cross over from the GOP.

What's interesting is that both leaders have seen their numbers fall in recent days, Edwards from over 30 percent last Friday to 22.59 percent Tuesday morning, while McCain has dropped from the mid-20s to 15 percent.

Meanwhile, Howard Dean and Sen. Hillary Clinton are gaining fast, jumping from the mid-single digits on Friday to 12.30 percent and 12.04 percent on Tuesday, respectively. Wesley Clark is making a run too, climbing to over 10 percent Tuesday.

Do the results reflect a legitimate change in public opinion? A drop in Edwards' and McCain's popularity and a surge for the others? Or are the Internet-savvy Deaniacs, Clarkies and Draft Hillary supporters busy stuffing the online ballot box?

Also on the Interactive CBS list are Democrats Sen. Evan Bayh (Ind.), Rep. Dick Gephardt (Mo.), Sen. Bob Graham (Fla.), Sen. Mary Landrieu (La.), Former Sen. Sam Nunn (Ga.), Gov. Bill Richardson (N.M.) and Gov. Tom Vilsack (Iowa).

Quote of the Day: I'm entering politics because, for the past 10 years, I've gotten a lot from the world" -- supermodel Carmen Kass, on being "tapped to run for the European Parliament" (AP).