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
* CNN<\/a>: “Arizona Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign issued a stinging attack on GOP presidential rival Mitt Romney’s stance on abortion Wednesday, claiming a new YouTube video indicates the former Massachusetts governor supported maintaining abortion rights in his state six months after he opposed such rights.” Romney’s campaign dismissed the attack as “sad” and “desperate.” It’s mid-June — these guys are going to be killing each other by the fall.<\/p>\n * Robert Bauer, the general counsel for the Obama campaign, drew the ire<\/a> of much of the netroots yesterday, writing a Huffington Post item<\/a> describing the political upsides of a possible presidential pardon for Scooter Libby. The campaign quickly distanced itself from Bauer’s comments, explaining that he was speaking only for himself, and emphasizing that the senator opposes a pardon for Libby. (Note to campaign aides everywhere: be careful<\/a> what you blog…)<\/p>\n * Tommy Thompson held a conference call with reporters yesterday, which his campaign described would be part of a “major” announcement. No, he didn’t drop out — he announced he would compete<\/a> in the Ames Straw Poll in August. Reporters seemed annoyed that this was billed as “major” news.<\/p>\n * Virginia State Sen. Benjamin Lambert (D), a year after drawing his party’s ire for endorsing George “Macaca” Allen, was defeated<\/a> this week in a Democratic primary in the Richmond area. Lambert said his support of Allen probably cost him his job. “I thought the Allen folks would have helped me more, but it didn’t work out that way.” (Note to Lambert: you thought far-right Republican activists would help you in a Democratic primary?)<\/p>\n * John Orman, the chairman of the Connecticut for Lieberman Party, asked Joe Lieberman to resign<\/a> this week, in part for his comments calling for a military confrontation with Iran. Orman, a longtime Lieberman foe, took control of the “party” earlier this year when he realized Connecticut for Lieberman had no formal, legal leadership.<\/p>\n