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McCain gains ground

against Bush

in Virginia

PRICHMOND,(Va): Sen. John McCain has gained ground on Texas Gov. George Bush in Virginia heading into Tuesday's Republican presidential primary, according to a Mason-Dixon Opinion Research Inc. poll published on Friday.

Bush led McCain 48 percent to 37 percent in the latest statewide poll, drawing strong support among registered Republicans and Republicans who voted in prior party primaries, The Virginian-Pilot newspaper reported.

In a poll conducted earlier this month by Old Dominion University's Social Science Research Center, Bush had led the senator from Arizona, 54-31 percent.

The Virginia Republican presidential primary is open to all registered voters, but when they cast their ballot voters must sign an unenforceable pledge not to participate in any other party's nominating process.

McCain, who is mounting an insurgent campaign, led Bush 54-25 percent among independents and Democrats, and 50-30 percent among voters who have never participated in a Republican presidential primary, the newspaper reported.

(Bush dons Ronald Reagan mantle in primary race)

Texas Gov. George W. Bush donned the mantle of former President and Republican icon Ronald Reagan on Friday, dismissing rival John McCain's claim as bogus.

"Today my opponent is running a new ad that says he's the Ronald Reagan in this race, reaching out to Republicans," Bush told reporters. "I kind of wonder what primary he thinks he's been in up until now."

(Gore works on Bush, McCain attack lines)

PCLEVELAND: Regardless who wins the Republican presidential nomination, Vice President Al Gore will be ready to go after him with road-tested attack lines.

For the third day in a row on Friday, Gore lashed out at both Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Sen. John McCain of Arizona, denouncing the two leading Republican presidential candidates as conservative extremists who would pose a threat on a number of fronts, from the nation's booming economy to country's health care system.ÑReuters