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
* Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) is kicking off<\/a> his presidential campaign today with the creation of an exploratory committee. “I think this is an opportunity to show the American dream is still alive and there’s hope and optimism that can be awakened in a lot of people’s lives if they think that a person like me can run and actually become president,” Huckabee told The Associated Press.<\/p>\n * Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) still-unannounced presidential campaign picked up two endorsements today when both of Maine’s Republican senators — Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins — announced<\/a> that they will serve as co-chairs of McCain’s exploratory committee in Maine. It’s probably worth noting that both Snowe and Collins have publicly criticized Bush’s escalation policy, for which McCain has been an active cheerleader.<\/p>\n * Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) continues to mull over a presidential campaign, but insists that if he runs, it will be as a Republican. Talking to Newsweek, Hagel dismissed the notion that he’d run as an independent as “ludicrous<\/a>.”<\/p>\n * With Senate Dems confident that they can expand their majority in 2008, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Ensign (Nev.) are working fervently<\/a> to prevent GOP incumbents from even considering retirement. Near the top of the list: Mississippi’s Thad Cochran, who has considered stepping down, but is now leaning toward seeking a sixth term.<\/p>\n * Keep an eye on Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D) in a 2008 context. The AP noted<\/a>, accurately, that she’ll be on the Dem nominee’s short list for running mates, no matter who gets the nomination.<\/p>\n