Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that won’t necessarily generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:
* As part of the Democratic larger effort to retake the House next year, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has launched an “Accountability August,” targeting 44 vulnerable House Republicans. The Dems’ message will focus on Medicare and the debt ceiling.
* Up to his ears in behind-the-scenes campaign drama, Republican presidential hopeful Jon Huntsman made it clear yesterday he’s standing by his top adviser, John Weaver, a veteran operative and former John McCain aide.
* Despite the RNC’s best efforts, Republican officials in Arizona, Florida, and Michigan intend to hold presidential nominating contests earlier than the party’s rules permit. The threat of procedural chaos is causing headaches for party officials nationwide.
* Swatting down rumors, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) said yesterday he will seek re-election in 2014, and rejected the notion he’d become Secretary of State in the Obama administration if the president won re-election.
* In Vermont, the latest survey from Public Policy Polling shows Gov. Peter Shumlin (D), seeking a second term next year, enjoys solid leads over all of his possible GOP challengers.
* Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D) of Ohio continues to spend time in the state of Washington, where he apparently holds out hope of running in 2012.
* In Nevada, Shelley Berkley leads Byron Georgiou by 65 points in a Democratic Senate primary. Unlikely to overcome that kind of deficit, Georgiou is talking about possibly running as an independent, vastly improving the odds for appointed Sen. Dean Heller (R) to win a full term next year.
* With David Wu resigning in disgrace this week, the field of Democrats hoping to win his U.S. House seat in Oregon is getting crowded. Yesterday, state Sen. Suzanne Bonamici launched her bid and will face state Rep. Brad Witt and state Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian in a Democratic primary.
* And in New Mexico, Sunland Park mayor Martin Resendiz (D) admitted this week that he signed a questionable contract with a California architecture firm, but he has an excuse: he was drunk at the time. Resendiz has been considering a congressional race against Rep. Steve Pearce (R-N.M.).
