Today's installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* There's still nothing concrete to report, but there's increasing chatter about Vice President Biden's interest in the presidential race. Among other things, he had a private meeting with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) over the weekend, for reasons unknown.
* Ben Carson was asked yesterday whether he'd consider running as Donald Trump's V.P. nominee. He didn't rule it out, telling CNN, "All things are possible, but it is much too early to begin such conversations."
* Chris Christie's new campaign ad suggests President Obama bears responsibility for heroin abuses. The confused governor may not understand this, but in reality, the "heroin epidemic actually began nearly two decades before Obama took office."
* On a related note, Christie campaigned at the Iowa State Fair the other day, but his soap-box appearance was interrupted by protesters angered over the governor veto "of a controversial pig crate bill."
* A University of Texas survey of GOP voters in the Lone Star State shows Donald Trump in the statewide lead with 24% support. He's followed by Texas' Ted Cruz, who's second with 16%. Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry is tied for seventh place with just 4%.
* With Sen. David Vitter (R) still the frontrunner in Louisiana's 2015 gubernatorial race, the race to replace him is taking shape. Rep. John Fleming (R) has long made clear he's running, and now Louisiana Treasurer John Kennedy (D) is gearing up to run as well.
* And in fundraising news, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee narrowly outraised its Republican counterpart in July, $3.77 million to $3.3 million. For an off-year July, both totals are pretty impressive.