Discover GOP Opprobrium

[teapeebubbles]

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:

* Immediately after last night’s GOP debate, nascent presidential hopeful Fred Thompson appeared on Fox News to offer his analysis of his competitors (yes, it was breathtakingly unethical journalism). The former senator used his role as a campaign “analyst” to announce his new website (www.ImWithFred.com). He also responded to some of the Republicans who’ve criticized him: “It’s a badge of honor to get attacked by some of these bozos.”

* MSNBC reported this week that Lynne Cheney, the VP’s wife, might be considered by Wyoming Republicans for the Senate vacancy created by Sen. Thomas’ death. At this point, it appears only to be a rumor.

* Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, DNC Chairman Howard Dean, and Ret. Gen. Wesley Clark announced this week that they will be speakers at the YearlyKos convention in Chicago. (Just for the record, in case anyone’s curious, I’m not sure if I’ll be attending or not.)

* Hillary Clinton said on Sunday that we in the U.S., after 9/11, “are safer than we were. We are not yet safe enough, and I have proposed over the last year a number of policies that I think we should be following.” Her rivals, including the Obama and Edwards campaigns, have been trying to capitalize on the comment, suggesting the terrorist threat is greater now than before. The NYT reported that the Obama camp sent supporters and reporters a memorandum on Monday titled “America Is Not Safer Since 9/11,” which “cited research from the State Department and other groups that described terrorism as an accelerating threat.”