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.
* In a surprise move, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D) will announce today she she’s changed her mind and will not take on Sep. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) in a Senate primary in New York next year. This is, of course, exactly what party leaders wanted to hear.
* A new Research 2000 poll for Daily Kos shows still more discouraging numbers for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D). With about three months until election day, Corzine now trails Chris Christie (R) by eight, 48% to 40%.
* In related news, New Jersey Dems spent some time yesterday reminding folks about Christie’s opposition to Sonia Sotomayor’s Supreme Court nomination.
* In Virginia, a Research 2000 poll for Daily Kos poll shows Republican Bob McDonnell building on his earlier leads over Democrat Creigh Deeds. The former state attorney general is now up by eight, 51% to 43%.
* On a related note, President Obama appeared in Northern Virginia last night at a fundraiser for Deeds. It was the first joint appearance for the two since Deeds won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.
* In a setback for NRCC recruiting, retired football coach Lou Holtz has decided not to run for Congress against Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D-Fla.).
