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:
* In a move intended to help Barack Obama, and improve Illinois’ standing on the presidential campaign calendar, the Illinois state Senate “gave final approval Tuesday to legislation that advances the state’s 2008 presidential primary by more than a month to Feb. 5,” the Chicago Tribune reports. “Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich has said he will sign the measure, which also would put primary races from the county level to the legislature, Congress and the U.S. Senate on the same fast track, as well as future contests for governor and other statewide offices.”
* Bill Kelly, a prominent GOP activist and likely ’08 congressional candidate in Michigan, announced yesterday that he is switching his support from McCain to Romney. In an email to a dozen prominent Michigan Republicans, Kelley said, “I now formally endorse Mitt Romney for president. Romney has the charisma and ability to communicate our conservative values. He will lead our party to victory. Endorsing John McCain was the biggest mistake of my political career – I think he has been more of a detriment than a benefit to our party. ”
* In a bit of a setback for the DSCC, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D) announced yesterday that, like Rep. Peter DeFazio (D), he will not challenge Sen. Gordon Smith (R) in next year’s Senate race in Oregon. Blumenauer cited his new-found power in the House as a reason for skipping the race.
* A new Minnesota Public Radio poll shows Republican Sen. Norm Coleman easily defeating Democrats Al Franken or Mike Ciresi if the election were today, but warning signs lie ahead: “Coleman’s approval rating among Minnesota voters has slipped below 50 percent and some analysts say that’s politically risky for him.”
* And The Hill notes that John McCain may have blasted Jerry Falwell as an “agent of intolerance” during the 2000 presidential campaign, but yesterday, the Arizona senator’s campaign was the first to honor Falwell upon the announcement of his death. McCain put out a statement saying that “Dr. Falwell was a man of distinguished accomplishment who devoted his life to serving his faith and country.” There was no reference to McCain believing the opposite seven years ago.