MONDAY’S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP….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.
* In Ohio, Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy was finally declared the winner of an unresolved House contest yesterday, and will replace retiring Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio). Kilroy puts the Democratic margin in the U.S. House at 79 seats.
* It appears that Republican John Fleming narrowly defeated Democrat Paul Carmouche, but the margin was so close, a recount is likely. Carmouche has not conceded.
* Mike Huckabee believes the Republican Party has to avoid the “mushy middle” and become more conservative. Keep on talkin’, Huck.
* Might Chris Matthews’ Senate bid be over before it starts? Mike Allen reported over the weekend that Matthews is “expected to sign a long-term contract to remain as host of MSNBC’s ‘Hardball.’”
* Former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell (R), who was crushed in the state’s gubernatorial campaign two years ago, now wants to be chairman of the Republican National Committee.
* With the increasing talk that Caroline Kennedy is a leading candidate to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate, Jane Hamsher argues that this is “a truly terrible idea,” while Steve M. isn’t thrilled with the possibility, but doesn’t think Kennedy is that bad.
