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:
* Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) had an interesting message this week while talking to the George Washington University College Republicans about the midterm cycle: “It’s OK if the Republicans lose control, for our country in the long run, because one cycle won’t make a difference, two cycles won’t make a difference.” He added, “Republican politicians are the same as Democratic politicians in that they like to spend money. Democrats want to raise taxes to pay for it, and Republicans allow the next generation to pay for it.”
* In Maryland, Montgomery County Executive Douglas Duncan will officially kick off his gubernatorial campaign in Baltimore today. Duncan, who’s been eyeing the race for years, will face Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley in what many believe will be a tough Dem primary.
* In a pretty significant slip-up, Brown University political scientist and congressional candidate Jennifer Lawless (D) accepted campaign contributions from students whom she was teaching. Lawless, who is challenging Rep. James Langevin (D) in a primary next year, collected $5,500 from her students and their parents, but is now returning the money, citing the “perception of impropriety.”
* Former NFL quarterback Heath Shuler (D) enjoyed better-than-expected fundraising over the last three months, raising $264,000 in just 45 days, despite facing incumbent Rep. Charles Taylor (R-N.C.). In fact, Shuler, whom many party leaders believe has a real shot in the race, now has more cash on hand that Taylor does. The Taylor campaign responded by noting that many of Shuler’s contributions came from Tennessee, where Shuler played college football.
* Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), who has not endeared himself to his Dem colleagues on the Hill, will likely face two primary challengers in 2006. Former Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D) plans fight to get back the seat he used to hold, and state Rep. Richard Raymond (D), who already announced his candidacy, has a flush bank account after giving his campaign a series of loans.
* In yet another setback for Jeanine Pirro’s Senate campaign, reporters heard Hillary Clinton’s GOP rival a Chemung County Republican gathering Tuesday, “That’s a difference between Democrats and Republicans — we don’t want them next door molesting children and murdering women.” Pirro’s campaign manager, Brian Donahue, said Wednesday the quote was taken “out of context.”