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
* Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R), asked about any possible political ambitions in the future, told Spanish-language reporters in Miami, “No tengo futuro<\/a>,” which means “I have no future.” He did not elaborate.<\/p>\n * The race among Republican presidential candidates to snatch up key GOP staffers continues, with John McCain continuing to lure in the high-profile talent. Yesterday, McCain hired Steve Schmidt<\/a>, a Karl Rove protege who worked for Dick Cheney before helping Arnold Schwarzenegger win a second term. McCain also hired Jill Hazelbaker, most recently Tom Kean Jr.’s communications director in New Jersey, who will be McCain’s communications director in New Hampshire (despite some apparent history<\/a> of blog sock-puppetry).<\/p>\n * Former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating (R) acknowledged yesterday<\/a> that he’s still considering the presidential race and would decide next month whether to run. “I’m very alarmed about what ails America and the challenge we face as a country,” Keating said. As CNN reported, “Part of the nation’s peril lies in the perception of the country abroad, said Keating, who contended the United States ‘is detested as a country right now’ and is seen more as Iraq’s occupier than liberator.”<\/p>\n * Christine Jennings (D), who clearly would have won her House race in Florida’s 13th last month were it not for election irregularities, officially contested<\/a> the election results with Congress yesterday. Also, Jennings’ legal fight in Florida is ongoing. <\/p>\n * Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), an unsung hero in my book, was expected to draw a challenge in 2008 from Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-N.J.), but Ferguson announced this week that he will not run<\/a> for the Senate, which is a setback to the NRSC’s recruiting efforts.<\/p>\n