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
* Several AP headlines say that it’s a done deal, but Al Gore’s line on whether he’ll run for president again or not sounds the same<\/a> as it’s been for months. “I have no intention to run for president,” Gore said in an interview conducted in Los Angeles and broadcast Thursday by the BBC. He added, “I can’t imagine in any circumstance to run for office again.” The AP interpreted this to conclude that Gore “has ruled out a bid,” but “no intention” and “can’t imagine” don’t sound categorical to me.<\/p>\n * Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) will be the first major presidential contender to air a 2008 TV ad<\/a>. Romney says in the ad: “This is not a time for more talk and dithering in Washington. It’s a time for action.” The campaign refuses to disclose the size, scope, or duration of the buy, but it is set to air starting tomorrow in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Michigan, and Florida.<\/p>\n * In Louisiana, former Sen. John Breaux (D) sent a shockwave through the state’s political system late last week, when he acknowledged interest<\/a> in running for governor. According to the Cook Political Report, current Louisiana Democratic Gov. Kathleen Blanco, whose first term is up in 2008, has “privately” said she would step aside if Breaux or another established Democrat expressed interest in running. Breaux, however, appears unwilling to challenge Blanco in a primary.<\/p>\n * The NYT reported this week on “the demise of the living room campaign<\/a>, signaling a potentially profound change in the way presidential campaigns are conducted here, and to a lesser extent in New Hampshire.” Candidates just don’t have time anymore to go house-to-house.<\/p>\n