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:
* It’s been apparent for a while that Republican presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann was largely ignoring New Hampshire, and yesterday, her campaign confirmed it. “Iowa is our main focus right now, secondly is South Carolina,” Bachmann’s spokes person said.
* On a related note, Bachmann, who took some heat from Florida Republicans for her willingness to drill the Everglades for oil and gas, doubled down yesterday. “Let’s access this wonderful treasure trove of energy that God has given us in this country,” she said when asked about drilling the Everglades.
* After some bizarre behind-the-scenes drama, former half-term Gov. Sarah Palin (R) agreed to speak at a Tea Party rally in Indianola, Iowa, on Saturday. Her attendance, followed by a stop in New Hampshire next week, only fuels talk about Palin’s possible presidential ambitions.
* In West Virginia’s gubernatorial race, a Democratic-aligned 501c4 group, America Works USA, has a new ad campaign targeting Republican nominee Bill Maloney. Acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D) will face Maloney in an Oct. 4 special election.
* In Michigan, the state Republican Party is apparently trying to clear the Senate field for former Rep. Pete Hoekstra, with sitting Gov. Rick Snyder (R) throwing his support behind Hoekstra. Former Gov. John Engler (R) also weighed in, urging conservative Clark Durant not to run in a GOP primary.
* Speaking of Midwestern Republican Senate primaries, Mark Neumann got a boost in his Wisconsin bid yesterday, picking up an endorsement from the far-right Club for Growth. The group has made no secret of its opposition to Neumann’s GOP opponent, former Gov. Tommy Thompson.
* To the relief of Montana Democrats, state Attorney General Steve Bullock (D) is expected to kick off his gubernatorial campaign next week, and will likely be the Democratic frontrunner.
* And in Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ (D) Arizona district, the local Republican Party is trying to raise funds by holding a raffle this week, awarding the winner a Glock handgun. It’s a distasteful choice — Giffords was nearly assassinated by a madman wielding a Glock.
