WEDNESDAY’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.
* A new Quinnipiac poll in Pennsylvania shows Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) in pretty big trouble, trailing his likely Republican primary challenger, Pat Toomey, by 14 points, 41% to 27%. In general, incumbent below 50% are considered vulnerable. But under 30%?
* Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) continues to be furious at, well, pretty much everyone. In his latest tirade, Bunning lashed out at Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for raising money when Bunning says he needs the money more.
* Americans United for Change is launching a new television ad campaign in 12 states (Maine, North Dakota, Nebraska, Virginia, Indiana, Arkansas, North Carolina, Alaska, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and New Hampshire) in support of President Obama’s budget. Also, MoveOn.org is kicking off a radio and web ad campaign targeting “centrist” Democrats who may oppose the administration’s budget.
* Obama is weighing in on next week’s special election in New York’s 20th. An email featuring the president’s signature was sent to DNC and Organize for America activists, encouraging them to support and organize on behalf of Democrat Scott Murphy.
* Conservative CNBC commentator Larry Kudlow announced yesterday that he will not be a Senate candidate in Connecticut next year.
* An appeals court panel ruled yesterday that the Texas Democratic Party can demand that candidates seeking the party’s presidential nomination vow to support the party’s eventual nominee.
* The race to replace Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher (D-Calif.), who is headed for Obama’s State Department, is on. The early leader appears to be state Sen. Mark DeSaulnier (D).
