USE TOBACCO MONEY TO FIGHT SMOKING ON THE ONE HAND, TO FUND A CAMPAIGN ON THE OTHER

The money-raising game in politics these days is a bizarre affair. Detractors of virtually every candidate can cite examples that cross every political dividing line. Both the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate from Missouri, John Ashcroft, and the likely Democratic candidate, Gov. Mel Carnahan, are benefiting from creative uses of so-called soft money that permits donors to skirt current contribution limits.

But a recent fund raiser for Carnahan in Washington, D.C. -- which included President Clinton -- seemed to stretch a little too far.

Carnahan is the governor who is considering all kinds of ways to spend Missouri's tobacco settlement, including providing anti-smoking education for youngsters. His host in Washington was the heir of the R.J. Reynolds tobacco fortune.