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:
* Former Rhode Island Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse made it official yesterday, announcing his campaign against Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R). Whitehouse cited the need for another Dem in the Senate to “fight back” against the Republican political juggernaut.
* Virginia Sen. George Allen (R) sent out a fundraising letter this week, warning supporters he may be running against Gov. Mark Warner (D). The letter mentioned Warner four times, leading to questions as to whether Allen is a) worried about re-election; b) trying to bait Warner into the race with ’08 in mind; or c) just needed a fundraising hook.
* Speaking of Virginia, Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine (D) has challenged state Attorney General Jerry Kilgore (R) to a series of debates before this year’s election.
* Fresh off his endorsement of Chuck Schumer, and his apparent support for Hillary Clinton, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) has opened the door to endorsing state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer (D) for governor.
* Speaking of New York, Ed Cox, former President Richard Nixon’s son-in-law, has been calling around the state, telling people he’s “the guy” to take on Hillary Clinton next year.
* Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), one of my personal favorites, has not yet announced his plans for 2008, but his staff has registered four domain names he could use for his campaign site, just in case. In 2008, the youthful Lautenberg will be 84 years old.
* Michigan Republicans still can’t find a credible, high-profile candidate to take on Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D). The latest party darling, real estate developer Peter Cummings, has opted not to run, citing family obligations.