THURSDAY’S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP….Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn’t generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers.
* It seems like Barack Obama just got off the campaign trail, but he’s heading back out, going to the Cleveland area tomorrow to promote his economic rescue plan. Obama is scheduled to appear at a factory that makes parts for wind turbines.
* Norm Coleman’s attorneys have a plan to keep the fight going into the spring. The Republican campaign would reportedly pursue a five-stage legal strategy, that wouldn’t be resolved until March.
* Sen. Judd Gregg (R) in New Hampshire is considered a vulnerable incumbent, but Democratic Gov. John Lynch said yesterday that he will not run for the seat in 2010.
* Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) had indicated her intention to step down from the Senate in 2010 while running for governor in Texas, but the NRSC is begging her to keep her seat during the gubernatorial campaign. Hutchison is reportedly reconsidering her plan, in light of the party’s requests.
* Jeb Bush decided not to run for the Senate, but the NRSC hopes to recruit someone of similar significance in Florida: current Gov. Charlie Crist (R). No word on whether Crist might be interested.
* It’s early, and other Republicans might get into the race, but House Minority Leader John Boehner (R) nevertheless endorsed former Rep. Rob Portman’s (R) Senate campaign in Ohio. The party is likely hoping to discourage a primary fight.
