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:
* It’s probably just a fundraising ploy with no basis in reality, but Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.) is telling in-state Republicans that she’ll need a sizable campaign warchest in case former Sen. John Edwards challenges her in 2008. An Edwards spokesperson said the VP nominee has “no plans to run for the United States Senate.”
* Speaking of once and future presidential candidates, Gen. Wesley Clark delivered the Dems’ weekly radio address over the weekend. The DNC’s blog has the text and a downloadable MP3 of the address.
* Advice from Republican pollster Frank Luntz — who, among other things, encourages GOP officials to exploit 9/11 for political gain — has proven so popular that he’s writing a book, appropriately titled “Killer Words.” Sounding a bit like a right-wing Lakoff, Luntz’s book is predicated on the idea that “simple changes in language can make all the difference in creating public appeal for an idea.” Killer Words is expected to go on sale in mid-2006.
* Lois Murphy surprised a lot of people last November when, despite a late start and almost no name recognition, she came very close to beating an incumbent Republican, Rep. Jim Gerlach (R), in Pennsylvania’s 6th congressional district. Late last week, Murphy said she’s up for a rematch.
* In Kentucky, Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher is up to his ears in a political scandal involving his administration’s hiring practices, which shows overwhelming enthusiasm for Republican applicants, and which may violate state employment laws. In fact, there are ample documents, including notes and emails, indicating that hiring decisions were based almost exclusively on partisanship and not individual qualifications. Attorney General Greg Stumbo (D), who may challenge Fletcher in 2007, began investigating Fletcher’s hiring practices earlier this month and a special grand jury will be investigating the allegations.