FRIDAY’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.
* Sarah Palin and Republicans in Alaska want some kind of do-over election for Ted Stevens, but Republicans in the U.S. Senate, while upset over how Stevens’ case was handled, concede that the election is over.
* In New York’s 20th, depending on who you ask, either the Democrat is up by six votes or the Republican is up by 12.
* Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) is popular in the Sunshine State, but there are lingering doubts about him with the party’s far-right base, which could make a difference if the governor runs for the Senate next year. A new Mason-Dixon poll found that only 23% of Florida Republicans would “definitely” vote for Crist if he ran for the Senate — a poll being touted by former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, the leading GOP candidate for the open Senate race.
* On a related note, Rep. Connie Mack (R-Fla.) has decided not to run for the Senate next year, and indicated that he’d support Crist, should the governor enter the race.
* Mike Huckabee advised Virginia Republicans yesterday to “let the air out of [Democrats’] tires” and “do not let them out of their driveway on Election Day.”
* Virginia Democrats were not amused by Huckabee’s comments.
* Appointed Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) still doesn’t have great name recognition in his state, but his first quarter fundraising has gone pretty well.
* Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker (D) announced yesterday that he’s running for governor. It may be a crowded Democratic primary.
* Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) looks like a pretty safe bet for re-election next year.
