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:
* John Edwards’ presidential campaign seems to be struggling in second quarter fundraising — or is at least doing a masterful job lowering expectations. In an email to supporters, Joe Trippi, a top Edwards aide, said the campaign’s goal was to raise $9 million for the quarter, and is only two-thirds of the way there with about a week to go. Even if Edwards meets its stated goal, he’ll likely trail Clinton’s and Obama’s Q2 totals by a large margin.
* Rudy Giuliani delivered a highly-touted speech on fiscal discipline in Iowa yesterday, in which he vowed to cut the civilian federal work force by at least one-fifth. No one seriously believes that’s possible.
* Speaking of Giuliani, the former NYC mayor was in South Florida yesterday, condemning dictators and powerful thugs in Latin America. But as the NYT noted, Giuliani has a “Chavez problem”: “Corporation of Houston, the American subsidiary of Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA). Therefore, it ultimately is controlled by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.” Giuliani argued, “My firm did represent Citgo, they never represented Venezuela. They represented an American company that employs thousands and thousands of people in America.” A reporter was cut off when he asked why Giuliani refers to Citgo as an American company.
* Boston Globe: “State Police are investigating one of Mitt Romney’s top campaign aides for allegedly impersonating a trooper by calling a Wilmington company and threatening to cite the driver of a company van for erratic driving, according to two law enforcement sources familiar with the probe. Jay Garrity, who is director of operations on Romney’s presidential campaign and a constant presence at his side, became the primary target of the investigation, according to one of the sources, after authorities traced the cellphone used to make the call back to him.”
* Top aides to Al Gore’s 2000 campaign remain unaffiliated with 2008 candidates, which The Hill said only adds to speculation about the former Vice President’s future plans. Former traveling chief of staff Michael Feldman, however, said, “I take him at his word on this and nothing he has said privately has differed from what he has said publicly. He is not planning to run for president.”