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
* Remember last week, when a Dem poll showed former Rep. Tim Roemer (D-Ind.) giving Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) a serious fight<\/a> next year? Lugar has responded with a new poll of his own, showing him leading Roemer 58% to 24%<\/a>.<\/p>\n * In Missouri, State Sen. Chuck Graham (D) had expressed interest in taking on U.S. Sen. Jim Talent (R) next year, but announced yesterday that he will skip the race<\/a>. With Graham out, attention now shifts to State Auditor Claire McCaskill (D), who lost last year’s gubernatorial race to Republican Matt Blunt (R). In announcing his intentions, Graham singled out McCaskill for praise.<\/p>\n * Adding more evidence that one can never be too conservative for today’s GOP base, rumors are circulating in Utah that Sen. Orrin Hatch (R) may face a primary challenge<\/a> next year because — get this — some believe he’s too liberal, especially on stem-cell research. In particular, state Rep. Steve Urquhart, who says he has heard discontent with Hatch’s performance among some state legislators and local officials, has been encouraged to take on Hatch.<\/p>\n * The race to replace Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Calif.), Bush’s choice to head the SEC, keeps getting stranger. First, State Senate Minority Leader Dick Ackerman (R) jumped out as the early frontrunner<\/a>. Then former state Assemblywoman Marilyn Brewer (R) made waves<\/a> by writing herself a campaign check for $150,000. Then, in just the last couple of days, Ackerman dropped out of the race and state Sen. John Campbell (R) jumped in. Campbell, a millionaire car dealer who was just elected to the Senate last year, is now considered the man to beat<\/a>. If the past two weeks are any guide, that could change at any moment.<\/p>\n * In Minnesota, former state Transportation Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg (D) will formally kickoff his House bid<\/a> today, hoping to replace Rep. Mark Kennedy (R), who is running for the Senate. Tinklenberg is a very conservative Dem who opposes abortion rights in all circumstances and who will seek the National Rifle Association’s endorsement, which may help in the right-leaning 6th congressional district. Tinklenberg will likely face Scottie Mortensen in a Dem primary next year.<\/p>\n