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:
* Rick Santorum’s re-election campaign suffered another setback late last week when the Pennsylvania House voted 175 to 24 to restrict eligibility for education payments to families who don’t live in the state. Santorum, who homeschools his six children, has received public funds for his kids to attend online charter schools, which became legally problematic when local officials realized the Santorums live in Virginia. The House measure, which supporters admit was inspired by the Santorum controversy, now goes to the state Senate.
* Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D) has faltered a bit of late, prompting a number of state political figures — from both sides of the aisle — to express interest in next year’s gubernatorial campaign. In a statewide poll from two weeks ago, only 33% said that they would likely vote to re-elect Kulongoski, while 42% said they’d support someone else. Peter Sorenson (D), a three-term Lane County commissioner and former state legislator, has said he may challenge Kulongoski in a primary, as may state Sen. Vicki Walker (D). There are also rumors that Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D) may consider jumping into the race. Among Republicans, Oregon Republican Chairman Kevin Mannix and Portland lawyer Ron Saxton are eyeing the campaign.
* The Florida Democratic Party’s recent financial troubles continue to undermine Scott Maddox’s (D) fledgling gubernatorial campaign. Even Gov. Jeb Bush is mocking him: “I feel bad for the rank and file Democrats who are expecting their leaders to do the basics. How could you not know you haven’t paid your FICA and Social Security taxes? Hellooo? It’s the craziest thing I ever heard,” he told reporters in Tallahassee.
* Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) certainly looked like a presidential candidate in New Hampshire over the weekend, making his second visit to the Granite State in as many months. During his keynote speech at the Lilac Luncheon of the New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women, Allen emphasized his record as a former governor and sitting senator. When asked in a brief news conference afterwards if he was a candidate, Allen said only that, “People have been urging me to run for president.”
* The Rev. Al Sharpton had ruled out endorsing former Bronx borough president Fernando Ferrer in New York’s mayoral race, but Sharpton has indicated he may reconsider — if Ferrer started apologizing for his comments in response to the 1999 Amadou Diallo shooting. “For me to endorse Freddy at this point, I think in a number of ways, he would have to affirmatively convince my constituents that he would not tolerate a Diallo situation ever,” Sharpton said in an interview.