Campaign Briefs

- Former moderate Republican Rep. Pete McCloskey met in Houston Sunday with Michael Fjetland, who has challenged Tom DeLay in the last three elections (as a Republican in 2000 and 2002, and an independent last year). McCloskey called DeLay "an embarrassment to the Republican Party", and Fjetland noted "If DeLay is ever going to be defeated, this will be the time for it. The people in the 22nd District are tired of his arrogance." [Houston Chronicle]

- Rep. Tom Osborne, former head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, will leave the House to run for governor, he announced Saturday. He will face current governor Dave Heineman and businessman David Nabity in a GOP primary. [Associated Press]

- Staying on the Great Plains, Republican congressman Jerry Moran of Kansas said last week he will not run for the governorship next year, "a decision seen as giving Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat, a big boost toward a second term." [Kansas City Star]

- Sen. John Kerry will make another run for the White House in 2008, "Washington Whispers" reports. The primary angle? Pals say Kerry will focus on the Clinton electability factor. [U.S. News & World Report]

- Vermont's Governor Jim Douglas, a Republican, has opted out of the race to replace retiring Senator Jim Jeffords next year. He will instead seek another term as governor. Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie has expressed interest in running for either the Senate seat or the House slot being vacated by Independent Rep. Bernie Sanders (who is running for Jeffords' Senate seat). Burlington businessman Richard Tarrant is also reportedly considering a run for the Senate. [Associated Press]

- Antonia Novello, New York State Health Commissioner, is reportedly considering a run against Hillary Clinton in next year's Senate race, although state party officials say she has not discussed a candidacy with them, and "highly placed Republicans said they are skeptical that Novello will end up running against Clinton." That sounds like a no to me. [Albany Times-Union]

- Moderate Rep. Jim Leach of Iowa will run again in 2006, for a sixteenth term. [WHO TV, Des Moines]

- Finally, in comments prior to delivering commencement addresses at Maine Maritime Academy this weekend, Senators John McCain and Susan Collins spoke with reporters. Asked about his plans for 2008, McCain replied "Senator Collins calls me every morning and every evening and urges me to do so. But I'm going to wait a couple of years and then make a decision." [Portland Press-Herald]