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:
* As part of his trip to Virginia Beach yesterday, Rudy Giuliani sat down with David Brody of Pat Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network. Brody noted a 1993 Giuliani quote in which the former mayor said he wanted to change the GOP platform on gay rights and abortion rights. Yesterday, Giuliani backpedaled, saying, “Right now, my view is, the platform is the platform.
* In case, for whatever reason, there were any lingering doubts about Fred Thompson’s ambitions, he told reporters yesterday, “You’re either running or not running. I think the steps we’re taking are pretty obvious.” I think so, too.
* Joe Biden reportedly told financial supporters last night that he probably won’t do well in Q2 fundraising, but they shouldn’t worry because he’s making inroads with the media. National Journal reported, “‘The press wants me in this thing,’ he said confidently. Biden instructed the group of $10K-and-over-donors to take a look at the papers and the recent slew of great coverage he’s getting. And as if announcing endorsements, he proudly noted the winning reviews he’s been receiving from David Yepsen, Adam Nagorney, David Broder, Mark Shields, and Eleanor Clift.”
* And it’s probably a little early for 2008 congressional polling, but Democracy Corps conducted the first comprehensive survey of 70 battleground House seats, and found Dems currently hold a distinct edge. The WaPo reported, “Even in seats that Democrats narrowly lost in November, Greenberg found, the party holds a nine-point lead on average over GOP incumbents for the 2008 contest, suggesting that election momentum — at least at the district level — continues to shift in Democrats’ favor. Democratic incumbents in competitive districts, including newcomers such as Reps. Gabrielle Giffords (Ariz.), Chris Murphy (Conn.) and Heath Shuler (N.C.), hold average leads of 20 points over GOP competitors.”