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:
* With just two weeks before the election, Virginia’s gubernatorial race remains too close to call. A new Mason-Dixon poll has former state attorney general Jerry Kilgore (R) ahead with 44%, Democratic Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine right behind him with 42%, and state Sen. H. Russell Potts with 5%. As for whether Kilgore’s “soft on Hitler” ad has helped, Larry J. Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia said, “Those ads could be working to a degree on both sides, but the effect is that they’re canceling each other out.”
* Speaking of Virginia’s gubernatorial race, the Washington Post endorsed Kaine over the weekend. “A former city councilman and mayor of Richmond, he is a policy wonk in the best sense of the term — probing, analytical and at ease with the broad implications of competing choices as well as the details of how government works. He commands respect on both sides of the partisan divide in Richmond, an increasingly rare trait among elected officials…. Mr. Kaine has the potential to be a remarkable governor — a responsible, forward-thinking, unifying, principled politician with brains, guts and know-how.”
* And speaking of a big endorsement from a major daily, the New York Times enthusiastically endorsed New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) for re-election yesterday. “Mr. Bloomberg has not been nearly as exciting, or entertaining, as Edward I. Koch or Rudolph W. Giuliani. But he has been better at running the city. If he continues his record of accomplishment over the next four years, he may be remembered as one of the greatest mayors in New York history.”
* Paul Hackett will formally announce his Senate campaign today at 1:00 pm ET in Cincinnati. He’ll face Rep. Sherrod Brown (D) for the Dem nomination to take on Sen. Mike DeWine (R).
* After months of watching Republican leaders in New York beg Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro (R) to take on Hillary Clinton next year, Pirro accepted. Now, they’re spreading rumors that she should drop out of the race to make room for someone more credible.
* In Michigan, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard (R) has been a little eratic this year. In February, he announced he would challenge Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) in 2006. A week later, he dropped out. Last week, he told reporters that he’s reconsidering the race once again. For now, the presumptive GOP nominee is the Rev. Keith Butler, a former Detroit city councilman, who has rallied Republican support — because no one else seems interested in the race. Roll Call reports that Bouchard will “definitely” run, which will no doubt complicate Michigan politics now that the GOP establishment rallied behind Butler.