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.
* RNC fundraising in February — Michael Steele’s first full month — was bad, but it wasn’t that bad: “The RNC collected $5.1 million in February and ended the month with $24 million in the bank.” In February 2007, the last post-election February, the RNC raised $7.2 million. Given that many of Steele’s troubles began in earnest this month, March fundraising will be even more interesting.
* It’s a real stretch, but Republicans hope to use public frustration over the AIG bonuses as a campaign issue in New York’s 20th.
* Terry McAuliffe, a leading Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Virginia, is “running a new advertisement on black radio stations in the commonwealth tying himself to President Obama.” For those who remember McAuliffe’s efforts during the Democratic presidential primaries, this is an interesting turn of events.
* Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D) has vowed to fully support the Democratic Senate candidate in 2010, regardless of what happens with Sen. Arlen Specter (R). If true, this will represent a shift from Rendell’s efforts in 2004.
* Is Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) vulnerable as he seeks re-election next year? A poll from Public Policy Polling suggests he is: “Burr’s approval rating here is only 35%, disapproval is 32%, and a third of likely voters are undecided — not very good numbers for an incumbent, to say the least. Against a generic Democrat, Burr has an initial lead of 42%-38%, with the incumbent well below 50%.”
* With Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-Calif.) leaving Congress to join the Obama administration’s State Department, the race is on to replace her.
