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
* John McCain’s patience is apparently running thin<\/a>: “A frustrated Sen. John McCain snapped Wednesday when asked by CNN about his troubled presidential campaign and vowed he would no longer answer questions on that topic. ‘I’m not going to talk about my campaign anymore,’ McCain said in a sharp tone. ‘I’m finished with talking about it. I’ve talked about it for two weeks. I will not discuss it or any aspect of it. Thank you.'”<\/p>\n * The New York Daily News highlights some of the follow-up<\/a> to yesterday’s Reed-Levin vote: “After a Senate all-nighter, Republicans blocked a bill yesterday that would have begun to withdraw troops from Iraq, but they now face a media barrage aimed at booting GOP lawmakers who voted against the measure. ‘There are a good number of Republicans, many … up for reelection in 2008, who back home say they want a change of course in Iraq, but in Washington do nothing to change it,’ said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) ‘This puts the spotlight on those senators.'” Schumer specifically appeared to be referring to Coleman (Minn.), McConnell (Ky.), Sununu (N.H.), and Domenici (N.M.).<\/p>\n * With Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson battling for the support of far-right activists, the former Massachusetts governor took a fairly direct shot<\/a> at the former senator yesterday. “Can he raise the money?” Romney asked of Thompson. “Will he do the work it takes to become the president? To beat Hillary Clinton, you’re going to have to raise a lot of money. You’re going to have to work like crazy.” Message: Thompson is lazy.<\/p>\n * Several news outlets have been questioning Barack Obama’s donor base, with CNN going so far as to suggest that Obama’s online fundraising may be “just smoke and mirrors.” Media Matters explains<\/a> why this is bogus.<\/p>\n