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
* Barack Obama’s first foray into New Hampshire seems to have paid dividends. Two weeks after his initial trip, Obama finds himself nearly even<\/a> with Hillary Clinton in a statewide poll of 2008 hopefuls. The results, published by the Concord Monitor, found Clinton in the lead with 22% support, Obama right behind her with 21%, followed by John Edwards at 16%. Last month, a Monitor poll showed Clinton leading Obama by 23 points.<\/p>\n * Speaking of New Hampshire, the same Concord Monitor poll, looking ahead to the GOP presidential primary, shows Rudy Giuliani with the narrowest of leads<\/a> over John McCain, 26% to 25%. Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was third with 10% support.<\/p>\n * Former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber (D) has been mulling a return to politics for a few years now, but he has reportedly ruled out<\/a> taking on Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) in 2008. Possible Dems for the race include Democratic Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Peter DeFazio, and State Sen. Ben Westlund, who recently became a Dem after leaving the GOP. (thanks to B.P. for the tip)<\/p>\n * According to Bob Novak, who’s hardly neutral on the subject, Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco (D) remains undecided<\/a> on whether to seek a second term in 2007. Speculation is apparently focused on Rep. Charles Melancon (D), a Blanco ally, who was described by one party leader as a “conservative Democrat, the kind of Democrat that Louisiana likes to elect. He’s pretty much what we’re looking for.”<\/p>\n