NATALIE ALLEN, CNN ANCHOR: In political news, Republican presidential hopeful George W. Bush turned his sights on a Senate race today, but not just any Senate race. CNN's Chris Black joins us from New York with more on that -- Chris.</s>CHRIS BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Natalie, Governor George W. Bush and Congressman Rick Lazio made their first joint appearance in New York today at a Conservative Party luncheon here in Manhattan. This is an appearance that underscored both men's credentials at a time when they are reaching out to more moderate voters. But Governor Bush played to crowd saying he wanted to be the Conservative candidate for president, and he said that Rick Lazio was particularly suited to be the next senator from New York because not only is he a native New York, but he said didn't need a listening tour to figure out whether or not he should run.</s>GOV. GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It's going to be quite a moment, when the sitting vice president performs his last official duty, and that is to swear in the new United States senator from New York, Rick Lazio. Mike's right, I have been come into the Empire State a lot because I think I have got a good chance of winning. And I'm coming back. And I look forward to campaigning with Rick Lazio. You see, unlike his opponent, he and I don't mind campaigning together. We don't mind being seen together.</s>BLACK: Governor Bush's speech was interrupted very briefly by two demonstrators, who were protesting Governor Bush's support for the death penalty and the recent execution of Gary Graham in Texas. The Conservative Party was created almost 40 years ago by Republicans who felt that the New York Republican Party wasn't conservative enough. While the conservatives -- the Republican Party has become more conservative since that time, but this party is still an important litmus test in this state, and no Republican has won statewide office without its support in more than 25 years -- Natalie.</s>ALLEN: Chris Black, thanks, Chris.
Bush, Lazio Make Joint Appearance Before New York's Conservative Party