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:
* A Boston Globe poll of New Hampshire voters released yesterday included some eyebrow-raising numbers in both primaries. Among Republicans, while Mitt Romney has had a comfortable lead in the state, his margin is shrinking fast — the former Massachusetts governor now leading with 28%, followed closely by John McCain with 25%. Rudy Giuliani, who was a threat to win New Hampshire a couple of months ago, has slipped to a distant third with 14%.
* The same Globe poll also pointed to a very competitive Democratic race. In last month’s poll, Hillary Clinton led by 14 points; now that lead is gone — Barack Obama has inched out in front with 30%, followed by Clinton at 28%, with John Edwards third with 14%.
* Speaking of Obama, the senator was campaigning in Iowa over the weekend, when he was confronted with a voter who wanted him to explain his “Muslim background.” Obama said, “My father was from Kenya, and a lot of people in his village were Muslim. He didn’t practice Islam. Truth is he wasn’t very religious. He met my mother. My mother was a Christian from Kansas. I’ve always been a Christian…. The only connection I’ve had to Islam is that my grandfather on my father’s side came from that country. But I’ve never practiced Islam.” The voter seemed satisfied.
* Newspapers in Iowa and New Hampshire routinely write endorsement editorials this time of year, but the Concord Monitor editorial board tried something different over the weekend, imploring readers not to vote for Romney, who the paper said “most surely must be stopped.”
* With a touch of condescension, Giuliani told reporters yesterday that he likes McCain, and would consider bringing him on as a presidential advisor if elected. “John would be a really good adviser,” Giuliani said, adding, “I have great respect for him. I know he has great respect for me.”
* WSJ: “John Edwards will get a welcome endorsement this evening from the Iowa Farmers Union, the state’s biggest advocacy group for family farmers and rural communities. The endorsement comes as the top Democratic presidential candidates have been trying to woo the rural vote, in hopes that Iowa’s rural communities will make the difference in what is expected to be a historically close caucus on Jan. 3. While the rural vote has typically favored Republicans, economic uncertainty and frustration with the war in Iraq has motivated many rural voters to consider Democrats.”
* Bob Novak reported yesterday that McCain is “openly boosting” Huckabee’s campaign in Iowa, with the hopes that a Romney defeat will make it easier for McCain in New Hampshire: “[T]he McCain camp acknowledges that a Romney victory in Iowa may trigger a win in New Hampshire and a chance to sweep subsequent primaries. The McCain insiders feel Huckabee will not be a serious candidate even if he defeats Romney in Iowa.”
* Ron Paul was on Meet the Press yesterday and would not rule out an independent presidential campaign, saying only, “I have no intention of doing that.” When pressed by Russert to state unequivocally that he would not, Paul joked, “I deserve one wiggle now and then, Tim!”
* The NRA isn’t likely to play a significant role in the early Democratic contests, but for what it’s worth, the gun group is backing Richardson: “The National Rifle Association of America Political Victory Fund has reported spending money on a planned mailing for Bill Richardson. The move appears, at least for now, to be a token gesture — just under $9,000 all told, spent on lists, printing and labor.”