Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn’t generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:
* WaPo: “Democrats and Republicans are mounting a fierce battle to shape voter impressions of Congress during August’s political lull, convinced that they must define the story line of the 2008 congressional election before voters are swamped by the presidential campaign. The opening salvo of television and radio advertisements, automated calls and fundraising appeals is unusually intense this early in the election cycle, and it comes just seven months after the Democrats took control of Congress. But lawmakers, pollsters and Congress watchers say it is not clear whether the Democrats have convinced the public that they can do the job an angry electorate handed them in November — or whether, once again, all incumbents will be vulnerable next year, regardless of party.”
* Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe (D) will announce today that he’s supporting Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. It will be Clinton’s first endorsement from a southern governor, and comes on the heels of a new poll showing the New York senator leading her Republicans rivals in the state.
* There’s been ample speculation of late of that Sen. Thad Cochran (R-S.C.) will not seek re-election next year, but the 70-year-old incumbent apparently gearing up for another race. “He’s planning to run, right now he’s making preparations and doing fund-raisings,” Cochran press secretary Margaret McPhillips said.
* Rep. Artur Davis (D-Ala.) appears to be raising money for a gubernatorial campaign.
* And NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg appeared to rule out a presidential campaign during an interview last week with Dan Rather. Asked if he’d run, Bloomberg said, “No.” Asked if there were “any circumstances” in which he would launch a campaign, the mayor added, “Oh, I don’t know. Any — the answer — if I don’t say no categorically you’ll then read something into it. The answer is no.”