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
* This is one way<\/a> to avoid pesky questions: “After getting zinged for having a number of domestic and foreign lobbyists advising the candidate, the McCain campaign recently introduced new campaign rules barring anyone currently employed as a lobbyist from serving on the campaign. But they seem to have another new policy too: not telling anyone who the candidate’s advisers are.”<\/p>\n * More reconciliation talk<\/a> during Michelle Obama’s appearance on “The View” yesterday: “‘Yes, there’s always a level [of sexism],’ she said [on coverage of Clinton’s campaign]. ‘People are not used to strong women.’ Obama credited Clinton for her race and for breaking down barriers for women. ‘And I think that Hillary Clinton, as she said, has made 18 million cracks on the ceiling and we need to keep pushing it and pushing it.’ She further credited Clinton for paving the way to make it easier for her young daughters, Sasha and Malia. ‘She’s taken [the hits] so that when my girls come along they won’t have to fight it as badly,’ she said.”<\/p>\n * McCain was pressed at an event in Missouri yesterday on the contributions he’d received from “big oil.” McCain said he didn’t know what the guy was talking about. As it turns out, “McCain does lead all other senators, and all others who ran for president, in contributions from the oil and gas industry<\/a>, according to the Center for Responsive Politics’ analysis of federal data in the 2007-08 election cycle. McCain collected $724,000 through May.”<\/p>\n * Laura Bush graciously defended Michelle Obama last week when asked about Michelle’s “proud of my country” comments from February. Yesterday, Cindy McCain was far less classy<\/a>.<\/p>\n * There was some talk recently about retired Marine Gen. James Jones being considered for the Obama ticket. I think we can safely cross his name off the list<\/a> — he joined McCain on the campaign trail yesterday. * Quinnipiac showed Obama leading in Florida yesterday, but a new Rasmussen poll shows McCain ahead in the Sunshine State by eight, 47% to 39%<\/a>.<\/p>\n * Similarly, Quinnipiac showed Obama leading in Ohio, but Rasmussen<\/a> shows McCain winning by one point.<\/p>\n * Obama looks like he’s in good shape in Maine<\/a>, where Rasmussen has him up by 22 points.<\/p>\n * Just so everyone’s clear, Obama’s half-brother did not say<\/a> Obama was a Muslim. Rumors to the contrary are incorrect. Just FYI.<\/p>\n
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\n* Virginia continues to look very competitive. A Rasmussen poll the other day showed Obama with a one-point lead, and now a Public Policy Polling (D) survey shows Obama leading McCain in Virginia by two, 47% to 45%<\/a>.<\/p>\n