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
* Hoping to create a little more distance between himself and Republican Doug Forrester in New Jersey’s gubernatorial race, Sen. Sen. Jon Corzine (D) hit the campaign trail yesterday with the Big Dog<\/a>, former President Bill Clinton. Clinton said he didn’t want to give a “whoop-de-do” speech, but rather make an earnest plea for a man he said had been “an agent of change” throughout his life.<\/p>\n * A Republican poll conducted by Strategic Vision continues to show big leads<\/a> for Dems in Michigan. In the gubernatorial race, Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) leads challenger Dick DeVos (R), 47% to 33%. In the U.S. Senate race, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) leads Keith Butler, 48% to 27%. (via Taegan Goddard<\/a>)<\/p>\n * Dems in the Minnesota Senate continue to battle for position, but one just got a big boost — attorney Amy Klobuchar was endorsed yesterday by EMILY’s List<\/a>. In some competitive statewide races, EMILY’s List has contributed more than $1 million in PAC and bundled donations from members across the country to pro-choice female candidates.<\/p>\n * Few Republicans have expressed any interest in taking on New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) next year, but George Bailey<\/a> (R) has thrown his hat in the ring. This will be Bailey’s, an educator and ordained minister, first attempt at elected office.<\/p>\n * Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah) isn’t exactly a moderate among House Republicans, but that doesn’t mean he won’t face a primary challenge from the even-further right wing of his party. State Sen. Curt Bramble (R), who has served as the treasurer of Cannon’s campaign, said this week that he’s considering<\/a> taking Cannon on next year. “I don’t know whether I’m going to run or not,” Bramble said. “There’s been a number of groups that have asked me. They’ve offered support. But I haven’t made any decisions yet.”<\/p>\n * Arkansas Attorney General Mike Beebe (D) is the presumptive Dem nominee in the state’s gubernatorial race next year, but former Social Security Administration chief David<\/strike> Bill Halter (D) is reportedly considering forcing Beebe into a primary. Halter has created a website, including an automated contribution form, and posted a message this week saying he’s giving major consideration to the race.<\/p>\n