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 appears Sen. Rand Paul's (R-Ky.) political action committee was ready for Mike Huckabee's move towards the presidential race: "Paul's team bought prime real estate for any Google searches using the terms 'Huckabee record,' 'Huckabee announcement,' 'Huckabee taxes' and 'Huckabee common core.'"
* Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) continues to move closer to launching a 2016 presidential bid, resigning "all of his corporate and nonprofit board memberships" on New Year's Eve. The resignations have already taken effect.
* Speaking of Bush, the Florida Republican has decided to decline "Rep. Steve King's invitation to speak at his Iowa Freedom Summit on Jan. 24." A Jeb aide cited "a scheduling conflict."
* Former Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) continues to build his campaign team in advance of a likely 2016 presidential bid, hiring journalist Craig Crawford to serve as his communications director. Crawford has been a major figure in D.C. journalism for many years, including serving as an msnbc political commentator.
* In Colorado, Republicans are already eyeing potential rivals for Sen. Michael Bennet (D) in 2016. If Rep. Mike Coffman (R) doesn't run, his wife, state Attorney General Cynthia Coffman (R), might.
* Utah policymakers are considering a proposal to close the state's open primary system. Under existing law, independents can participate in both parties' primary elections, but some GOP lawmakers want to change that. The change may matter to Sen. Mike Lee (R), who's up for re-election in 2016, and who's far more popular with Utah Republicans than independents.
* And while this isn't usually my beat, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's (R) appearance at yesterday's Dallas Cowboys game has apparently caused quite a stir.