Some Evening Miscellany

Enjoy:

North Carolina: Term-limited Democratic Governor Mike Easley again distances himself from (but does not categorically rule out) a 2008 Senate run. In other news, suggesting incumbent Republican Elizabeth Dole may more strongly consider retirement, she recently underwent hip replacement surgery.

Alabama: Democratic U.S. Rep. and likely 2008 Senate contender Artur Davis is getting a boost in his profile and, eventually, his ability to bring home some more achievements for his district by winning a seat on the House Ways & Means Committee.

Tennessee: In another Ford-being-cagey-about-2008 article, a new possible Democratic challenger to Lamar Alexander is mentioned: "Outgoing state party chairman Bob Tuke, a hard-charging ex-Marine and Nashville lawyer."

Oregon: More reactions to Gordon Smith's blatant political posturing and hypocrisy.