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 Montana, state Senate President [tag]Jon Tester[/tag], fresh off his Dem primary win, is apparently making the National Republican Senatorial Committee a little nervous. Sen. [tag]Conrad Burns[/tag] (R) is considered one of the Senate’s most vulnerable incumbents, and Tester leads in some statewide polls. Hoping to turn the tide, the NRSC is running a new TV ad describing Tester as someone who supports gay marriage, flag burning, and tax increases.
* [tag]Tom DeLay[/tag] apparently is no longer sure where he lives. The former House Majority Leader put together automated phone calls this week to help benefit Mark Ellmore, a conservative candidate in a GOP primary in Virginia’s 8th congressional district, in which DeLay explains to voters that he recently moved to “Northern California” instead of “Northern Virginia.” What’s more, despite (or because of?) DeLay’s help, Ellmore lost the primary.
* Those wondering if Rep. [tag]Harold Ford[/tag] Jr. (D) would ever break through in Tennessee’s open Senate race will be pleased to see the results of a new Zogby poll. Ford is now tied with former Rep. [tag]Ed Bryant[/tag] (R) at 42% each, while narrowly trailing former Rep. [tag]Van Hilleary[/tag] 43% to 41%, and well within striking distance of former Chattanooga Mayor [tag]Bob Corker[/tag], 46% to 42%.
* Speaking of Tennessee, Zogby also found that Gov. [tag]Phil Bredesen[/tag] (D) is cruising to an easy re-election fight this year. In a match-up against state Senator Jim Bryson (R), Bredesen leads 58% to 22%, and against [tag]Mark Albertini[/tag] (R), Bredesen is ahead, 61% to 16%.
* Yesterday, four states — Virginia, Maine, South Carolina, and North Dakota — held statewide primary races. Among the more noteworthy results: [tag]James Webb[/tag] (D) won the right to take on Sen. [tag]George Allen[/tag] (R) in Virginia; Chandler Woodcock (R) won the right to take on Gov. [tag]John Baldacci[/tag] (D) in Maine; and Gov. [tag]Mark Sanford[/tag] (R) beat back a primary challenge in South Carolina, but not by the margin his supporters had hoped for.