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:
* Facing a difficult primary challenge, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) is getting a boost in Kentucky with a new ad from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "While the EPA and bureaucrats try to kill Kentucky's coal industry, Mitch McConnell is fighting back, fighting hard," the ad's voiceover tells viewers.
* Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) sent out an appeal to supporters last week, urging them to give money to his re-election campaign instead of buying Christmas gifts. "Instead of electronics or toys that will undoubtedly be outdated, broken, or lost by the next Holiday Season, help give your children the gift of a Wisconsin that we can all be proud of," Walker's appeal said.
* A congressional special election in Massachusetts' 5th district is just a week away, and state Sen. Katherine Clark (D) is considered the favorite to succeed now-Sen. Ed Markey (D). Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D) announced yesterday she'll campaign with Clark tomorrow.
* In Louisiana, the Republican Senate field is starting to narrow -- state Sen. Elbert Guillory (R) yesterday joined state Rep. Alan Seabaugh (R) in dropping his bid and clearing the way for Rep. Bill Cassidy (R), who'll take on incumbent Sen. Mary Landrieu (D) next year.
* Rep. Trey Radel (R-Fla.) continues to face calls for his resignation, including pressure from those who'd like to replace him, but for now, the congressman remains in rehab and continues to ignore critics.
* And former Sen. Scott Brown (R) conspicuously changed his Twitter profile last week so that he's no longer associated with Massachusetts, the state he represented in the Senate until last year. The move suggested Brown may very well be serious about running in New Hampshire next year (thanks to my colleague Anthony Terrell for the heads-up).