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:
* Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) has scheduled a 2pm event today to announce whether he’ll seek re-election again. The 80-year-old incumbent has kept his plans close to his vest, but rumor has it he’s going to announce his retirement. I’ll let you know later.
* Actor/lobbyist/politician Fred Thompson finally confirmed yesterday that he is going to run for president, and will formally kick off his candidacy in a webcast on Sept. 6.
* Thompson also said yesterday that he will skip next week’s GOP presidential debate in New Hampshire, which is scheduled for the day before his campaign kick-off. New Hampshire Republicans are expressing their annoyance with the decision. The Union Leader recently editorialized, “If Thompson waits until after the debate to make his announcement, it will appear to some as if he timed the announcement just to avoid the New Hampshire debate. That would give his foes the chance to say he is either not serious about running for the nomination or is too unprepared to be considered a credible candidate.”
* The calendar craziness continues: Michigan’s state House voted to move its presidential primary to Jan. 15, ignoring threats from the DNC.
* Univision had scheduled a Sept. 16 debate at the University of Miami with the Republican presidential field, but had to cancel the event because most GOP candidates refused to participate. John McCain was the only confirmed participant. (This probably won’t help heal any rifts between the GOP and the Latino community.)
* More union endorsements yesterday: the 520,000-strong Carpenters Union announced its support for John Edwards, while the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said it will back Hillary Clinton.
* Rumor has it that retired Army Gen. Tommy Franks is considered a leading candidate to make the GOP ticket as the eventual nominee’s running mate.