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
* In Ohio’s Senate race, it looks like Dems will not be able to steer clear of a primary fight. Rep. Sherrod Brown (D) is in and has begun building a base of support, while Paul Hackett said late Friday that he is in the Senate race to stay<\/a>, even if it means a tough Dem primary battle next spring. “It’s going to be a long, hard fight, but I am in it for good,” Hackett said. A formal campaign announcement is scheduled for Oct. 24 in Cincinnati. (Full disclosure: Rep. Brown has purchased an ad on my site. This round-up item is neutral with regards to the primary, though I reserve the right to endorse one of the candidates at a later date)<\/p>\n * In an effort to bolster his support among New York conservatives, former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld (R) will offer<\/a> Assembly Minority Leader John Faso (R) the opportunity to run as Weld’s lieutenant governor next year. “Faso is a popular figure in the party, especially upstate. He would bring credibility,” a source close to Weld told the New York Post.<\/p>\n * Speaking of New York, lawyer Edward Cox announced late last week that he is dropping out<\/a> of the Senate campaign against Hillary Clinton. Cox’s announcement came shortly after Gov. George Pataki (R) formally endorsed Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro for the Republican nomination. “The governor is the leader of the Republican Party. Out of respect for his position and his decision, I have decided to stop my campaign for the United States Senate,” Cox said in a statement.<\/p>\n * Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said over the weekend that she continues to have no intention to run<\/a> for president in 2008. “It’s flattering and I appreciate people who think of me in those terms, but that’s not what I’m going to do in life,” she told Fox News Sunday. “I’m quite certain that there are going to be really fine candidates for president from our party and I’m looking forward to seeing them and supporting them.”<\/p>\n * Lynne Cheney said her husband will not run<\/a> for president in 2008. When asked about a recent comment by Bob Woodward that Dick Cheney would be the Republican presidential nominee in 2008, she said, “That’s pretty interesting. Wrong, but interesting.”<\/p>\n