TUESDAY’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.
* As promised, Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.) officially launched his Senate campaign this morning, and will take on Sen. Arlen Specter in a Democratic primary. Specter’s team wasted no time in “welcoming” Sestak to the race.
* The latest survey from Public Policy Polling shows Bob McDonnell (R) leading Creigh Deeds (D) in Virginia’s gubernatorial race by a comfortable margin, 51% to 37%. Driving McDonnell’s lead is a more motivated Republican base.
* New Jersey Gov. Gov. Jon Corzine (D) is still struggling in statewide polls, putting his re-election very much in doubt. A new Monmouth University/Gannett poll shows Corzine trailing Republican Chris Christie by 14 points, 50% to 36%. A month ago, the same pollster showed Christie up by eight.
* Corzine’s campaign is hoping a new ad will help turn things around — it features footage from President Obama’s recent rally in New Jersey.
* Former Rep. Pat Toomey, the likely Republican nominee for Senate in Pennsylvania next year, is apparently trying to move a little towards the middle after years as a far-right conservative. Today, he endorsed Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s Supreme Court nomination.
* Former Rep. Bob Beauprez is entering the crowded field of Colorado Republicans hoping to take on Sen. Michael Bennet (D) next year.
* Retired football coach Lou Holtz met with National Republican Congressional Committee leaders last week, apparently to explore a race next year against freshman Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D-Fla.).
* And Rep. Mark Kirk (R), running for the Senate in Illinois next year, is awfully sorry he violated all kinds of rules by tweeting while on active duty with the Naval Reserve in late July.
