By John King/CNN

WASHINGTON (December 4) -- Republican Sen. John Ashcroft of Missouri has set January 5 as the announcement date for his 2000 presidential bid, several close advisers told CNN Friday.

Sen. John Ashcroft

Ashcroft has asked political advisers to do the preliminary work required to establish a presidential fund-raising committee.

The senator has set a January 5 announcement in Springfield, Missouri, to disclose his final plans. While the senator reserves the right to change his mind, he told top advisers this week that he planned to enter the presidential race.

These sources said Ashcroft also plans to take advantage of Missouri's new so-called "LBJ" law and run for re-election to his Senate seat as well. The Senate seat is up in 2000, and filing for re-election would give Ashcroft a fallback if he fared poorly in the early primaries.

Another Missouri politician also exploring presidential politics, House Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt, was in Hollywood Friday for a dinner with roughly two dozen major Democratic fund-raisers to discuss his presidential prospects. Veteran Democratic fund-raiser Marvin Davis was the host of the Gephardt dinner.

Friday, December 4, 1998

• Bradley sets the stage for 2000 presidential bid
• Espy: Independent counsel law needs 'substantial' reform
• House ethics committee moves ahead on Rep. Shuster probe
• Ashcroft sets date for presidential announcement
• Clinton calls for another minimum wage increase
• Clinton's lawyers ask for several days to make their case
• Court documents shed light on legal fights in Lewinsky case
• Israeli Knesset gives Sen. D'Amato award
• Clinton to attend ex-aide's funeral
• Another battle brewing over campaign finance laws
• Mrs. Dole's fans want her to run for president
• Oregonians light up as medical marijuana law takes effect

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