Thursday Tidbits

Political Insider declares that: "The 2008 U.S. Senate picture is looking ever more dismal for Republicans." Dismal, indeed.

New Mexico: Congressman Tom Udall is formally announcing his entry into the 2008 Senate race today. Demonstrating his electoral strength, Udall is kicking off his announcement tour right in primary opponent Martin Chavez' backyard, at the National Hispanic Center in Albuquerque. In related news, I received a campaign e-mail from Jim Hannan this morning announcing that he is formally ending his Senate candidacy and "enthusiastically" endorsing Tom Udall for Senate. Meanwhile, the Santa Fe New Mexican slams Martin Chavez' dishonesty and calls Tom Udall "a profile in courage."

Kansas: Blue Tide Rising is reporting that former Congressman Jim Slattery will not challenge Pat Roberts in 2008, but that businessman Greg Orman will run for the Senate seat. Stay tuned for developments.

Virginia: Another Republican member of the Virginia House of Delegates, Robert Marshall, is reportedly considering a primary challenge to Jim Gilmore. That Anybody-but-Gilmore movement among the VA-GOP seems to be growing.

Texas: State Representative and Lieutenant Colonel Rick Noriega may have a primary challenger in the person of high school social studies teacher Ray McMurrey. McMurrey has a website up, but I noticed one curious thing. On the front page of the site, there is a sentence: "I am running as a Democrat for the United States Senate" - however, if you click on the Biography page, the title of the page (not the headline on the page, but the title of the file, in the blue bar at the top of the web browser) says "Ray McMurrey - Independent for US Senate 2008" so I'm not sure how strong his Party affiliation might be.

Mississippi: By discussing job opportunities outside of the Senate, is Trent Lott already in violation of Senate Ethics policies? Also, more unweighted approve-disapprove numbers are out on Mississippi Senate could-be's: Former Rep. Chip Pickering (R) 64-14-3; former Governor Ray Mabus (D) 28-54-20 (adds up to 102?); Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck (R) 51-35-13; State Senator Charles Ross (R) 26-27-48. Gov. Mabus' negatives seem too high to be viable. Also, it's unsurprising that State Senator Ross would have high unknowns. While Rep. Pickering has good numbers, he's also pretty much boxed himself in. Solid numbers for Lt. Gov. Tuck suggest that she could be formidable.

Nebraska: If businessman Tony Raimondo is going to switch Parties to run for Senate as a Democrat in 2008, he has to do so by December 7.

Oregon: If you live in Oregon, consider yourself encouraged to join the statewide Hold Gordon Smith Accountable Day this Wednesday, December 5.

Mike Bloomberg and Chuck Hagel had another meal together. Crank up that rumor mill!

ActBlue gets the New York Times treatment. Take a read!