My new daily feature about campaign-related news items that wouldn’t generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:
* Not content to withdraw himself from consideration from Rhode Island’s Senate race, Rep. Jim Langevin (D) also urged secretary of state and fellow Democrat Matt Brown to drop out as well. Many in the state party envision a scenario in which Langevin keeps his House seat, Patrick Kennedy takes on Chafee in the Senate race, and Brown runs successfully for Kennedy’s House seat. Everybody would happy in this situation, except Brown, who seems to believe his Senate bid has merit and who didn’t care for Langevin’s suggestion.
* Just a couple of days after Illinois state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka (R) started taking shots at Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D), on route to her own gubernatorial campaign next year, Blagojevich allies returned the favor yesterday. The incumbent’s supporters noted that Topinka has accepted nearly $600,000 from banking interests that her office deals with, raising questions about professional ethics and conflicts of interest in the Treasurer’s office.
* Though Vermont’s Republican governor, Jim Douglas, has all-but endorsed Sen. Jim Jeffords’ re-election effort next year, the Vermont GOP establishment is still railing against him. In a letter to state Republicans, Vermont Republican Party Chairman Jim Barnett attacked Jeffords as “a turncoat whose defection was despicable.” Barnett added that he believes it’s time for payback. Vermont Dems are amused by Barnett’s tough talk considering he can’t find a credible candidate to run against Jeffords next year.
* In case there was any doubt that the Massachusetts governor’s race has already begun, Democratic Attorney General Thomas Reilly and Republican Gov. Mitt Romney are holding back-to-back fund-raisers this week.
* Fernando Ferrer (D), the Democratic former Bronx borough president and leading candidate taking on Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R), announced high-profile endorsements yesterday from Democratic Reps. Major Owens, Edolphus Towns and Nydia Velazquez. The Ferrer campaign is hoping the endorsements put renewed pressure on his Dem primary rivals and helps district attention away from controversial comments Ferrer made in 1999 after Amadou Diallo shooting.