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:
* Californians apparently don’t mind electing actors as governor, so Warren Beatty is apparently mulling a bid. After delivering a blistering critique of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s leadership of the state, Beatty initially indicated he did not want to run in next year’s election. In follow-up remarks, Beatty was hedging his bets: “I don’t think anyone should ever rule public service out,” he said. “It’s a way of saying, ‘Take me out of the mix and don’t listen to me any more.'”
* With just two weeks until New Jersey’s gubernatorial primary election, another televised debate between the seven contestants proved how much they’ve grown to hate each other. Front-runners Doug Forrester and Bret Schundler, in particular, accused each of other of being tax-raising liars.
* Chicago Mayor Richard Daley’s won a whopping 80% of the vote when he won a fourth term in 2003, but his popularity has clearly taken a hit of late with allegations of corruption undermining the mayor’s office. A new Chicago Tribune/WGN-TV poll of 700 registered voters in Chicago showed Daley’s job approval rating slipping to 53%.
* With Gov. Mike Easley (D-N.C.) prohibited from seeking a third term in 2008, jockeying for position has already begun. At a state GOP convention over the weekend, State Sens. Robert Pittenger, Fred Smith, Patrick Ballantine, and activist Jim Cain all hinted strongly that they’ll be running for governor in three years.
* And speaking of premature candidate parades, likely GOP presidential aspirants have been lining up for face time in California’s Orange County, a traditional Republican stronghold. New York Gov. George Pataki and Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney have traveled to the OC for recent Republican events and County Republican Chairman Scott Baugh has said there are commitments — but no dates yet — for Virginia Sen. George Allen and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani to make similar trips.