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:
* That recent Newsweek poll showing Hillary Clinton leading all the major GOP 2008 contenders — you know, the one the magazine chose not to publish — wasn’t the only one with encouraging news for the New York senator. A new CNN poll showed Clinton tied with McCain at 47% each, and leads Giuliani by two, 48% to 46%. At least at this point, the “she’s not electable” meme is looking pretty shaky.
* Former Virginia Gov. James S. Gilmore III, best known for creating a much of messes for Mark Warner to fix, has decided to form a presidential exploratory committee. Gilmore told the WaPo that he’d fill a void. “It is my intention to run” for the presidency, he said. “There is no committed conservative in this race who can put together a national campaign. I can do that.” Gilmore served as RNC chairman in 2001.
* Rudy Giuliani continues to move forward with his presidential plans, launching a new website yesterday, JoinRudy2008.com. The site omits any reference to his progressive social positions and emphasizes crime, taxes, and welfare reform.
* The DNC was supposed to pick its 2008 convention location any day now, but Howard Dean has decided to put off the decision until January.
* As part of my ongoing fascination with party-switchers, I thought I’d note that Dr. Bob Meneilly, pastor emeritus of Village Presbyterian Church and chairman emeritus of the moderate Mainstream Coalition, announced this week that he’s leaving the GOP and becoming a Democrat.
* DraftObama.org has produced its first TV ad, created in part by The Jackson Group, which created Draft Clark ads in 2004. The ad will hit airwaves in DC and New Hampshire this week, though organizers hope to have funding for airtime in Hawaii, where Obama and his family will spend the holidays.