Campaign Notebook

Sunday’s developments:

Presidential race

Steve Forbes, fresh from a win in Delaware’s primary, was making a major television advertising push in Arizona, hoping to reverse his recent slide in polls there.

Bob Dole made a pilgrimage to the home of 1964 Republican presidential nominee Barry Goldwater on the outskirts of Phoenix. Goldwater, 87, gave Dole his blessings and predicted a victory for him on Tuesday.

Pat Buchanan said Tuesday’s primary in Arizona was too close to call. He said if Dole loses again, his campaign “goes on life support.”

Lamar Alexander, referring to Buchanan’s stint as a co-host of CNN’s “Crossfire,” said “I think Buchananism belongs on ‘Crossfire.’ It doesn’t belong in the White House.”

News of note

All of the GOP contenders condemned Cuba’s downing of two small American planes and most also called on President Clinton to get tough with Cuban leader Fidel Castro. “It’s got to be U.S. policy to remove Fidel Castro from power,” Buchanan said, adding, however that he wasn’t calling for a U.S. invasion of the island. “It’s time for Clinton to do more than seek Castro’s explanation.” said Dole.

Upcoming on TV

Dole and Alexander are scheduled to be in South Carolina debate at 5 p.m. PST Thursday in Columbia, S.C. C-SPAN planning coverage.

Today’s stops

Alexander: In Marietta, Ga., and Nashville, Tenn.

Buchanan: In Arizona at Casa Grande, Tucson, Sierra Vista, Tombstone, Safford and Globe.

Dole: In Georgia at Atlanta, Macon and Columbus.

Forbes: In Phoenix, Ariz.

Dick Lugar: In Vermont, at Burlington and Shelburne.