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:<\/p>\n
* In case you needed further proof that debate analysis is purely in the eye of the beholder, consider a couple of examples. The Des Moines Register’s top political analyst, after last night’s event, concluded<\/a>, “Edwards probably did himself the most good.” The Manchester Union Leader’s top political analyst concluded<\/a>, “John Edwards and Bill Richardson did not make as strong a showing as they had hoped in the Democratic Presidential debate yesterday.”<\/p>\n * Fred Thompson received a warm welcome<\/a> at a fundraising dinner for the Virginia Republican Party over the weekend, offering up red meat — and little else — for the GOP faithful. Asked by a reporter afterwards what he would do as president, Thompson said, “Well, I’d do lots of things<\/a>.” Asked if he was prepared to share some examples, he said, “No.”<\/p>\n * Rudy Giuliani’s allies in New Jersey appear anxious to give him a hand<\/a> when the state holds its primary on Feb. 5: “Supporters of Rudy Giuliani for president are changing New Jersey’s longtime proportional representation rules for allocating national convention delegates to winner-take-all, seeking a coup to give the former New York City mayor the lion’s share of the state’s 52 votes.”<\/p>\n * Scandal-plagued Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.) may be exiting stage right next year. Bob Novak cited<\/a> GOP sources on the Hill saying Lewis probably won’t seek a 16th term, due to the series of ethics and legal scandals.<\/p>\n