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
* Three years after having been ousted from his leadership post for praising a segregationist’s presidential campaign, Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) made a comeback today, getting elected<\/a> Senate Minority Whip. He defeated Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) on a 25 to 24 vote.<\/p>\n * The incredibly close House contest in Connecticut’s 2nd district resulted in another Dem pick-up last night, with Joe Courtney (D) defeating<\/a> Rep. Rob Simmons (R) by just 91 votes. The outcome leaves Rep. Chris Shays (R-Conn.) as the only House Republican from the six states that comprise New England.<\/p>\n * The only chances Republicans had of beating a Dem incumbent this cycle will fade away today when Georgia certifies Reps. John Barrow (D) and Jim Marshall (D) as winners<\/a> in their close House races. As recently as yesterday, Republican challengers Max Burns and Mac Collins have refused to concede.<\/p>\n * In Hill leadership news, the race for House Majority Whip seems to be settled. First, it looked like Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) would face James Clyburn (D-S.C.), but Emanuel stepped aside to claim the party caucus job. Yesterday, Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), who had also planned to run for Whip, also stepped aside<\/a>.<\/p>\n