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
* After a campaign cycle in which the DNC and DCCC didn’t get along well at all, new DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has pledged a new era of cooperation<\/a>. He and Howard Dean had a “jovial” meeting yesterday and “pledged to work together during the 2008 election cycle.” Funny how victory can put everyone in a good mood.<\/p>\n * Retired football player John Elway quickly put to rest<\/a> any rumors that he might be a Senate candidate in Colorado in 2008. The former Denver Broncos quarterback told Denver’s KOA radio that he’s not going to run for the seat being vacated by Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.). Elway added, however, that he would possibly consider public office at some point in the future.<\/p>\n * Al Franken continues to move towards a Senate campaign in Minnesota, reaching out<\/a> to Democratic senators for advice and suggestions. The AP noted Franked has contacted “campaign veterans, pollsters and others to get their advice,” some of whom have warned him about the pitfalls of a comedian running for statewide office. “It’s unknown how people will respond to a comedian running for the Senate,” Franken said. “I need to figure out a way to let people know I’m extremely serious about Minnesotans and their lives.”<\/p>\n * In southern Illinois, one gun-rights advocate is recommending Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) to his hunting friends<\/a> and talking about forming a group with the working title “Sportsmen for Obama.” “I don’t agree with everything he says about guns, but he gets the sportsman’s point of view on it,” said state Rep. Brandon Phelps (D-Norris City), who served with Obama in the state legislature. “He would never do anything to hurt hunters, because he has bothered to get to know us and listen to us.”<\/p>\n