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.
* Sen. Arlen Specter and Rep. Joe Sestak, the Dems vying for the Democratic Senate nomination in Pennsylvania next year, will appear at the Netroots Nation conference on Friday, August 14. That’s bound to be interesting.
* As Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) prepares to step down half-way through her only term in office, her support nationwide continues to sink, and most Americans now view her negatively.
* It looks like Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D) may face a primary challenge after all, with state Comptroller Dan Hynes eyeing the race.
* While the GOP establishment continues to favor state attorney general Kelly Ayotte’s (R) Senate campaign in New Hampshire, former gubernatorial nominee Ovide LaMontagne continues to move forward with plans for his own campaign, including some new staffing moves yesterday.
* Former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder (D), who has always been unpredictable, is apparently in no hurry to support state Sen. Creigh Deeds’ (D) gubernatorial campaign, despite requests from Obama’s team.
* Trouble in California? A Rasmussen poll shows Sen. Barbara Boxer (D) leading Carly Fiorina (R) in a general-election match-up, 45% to 41%.
* In a setback for DCCC recruiting, state Sen. Darrel Aubertine has decided not to run to replace Rep. John McHugh (R) in New York’s 23rd.
* Sen. Jim DeMint’s (R) seat in South Carolina is presumably fairly safe, but in light of his recent antics, the DSCC is taking another look at the race, and has begun conversations with state Sen. Brad Hutto about a possible campaign. Hutto was in DC yesterday for a meeting with DSCC executive director J.B. Poersch.
