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.
* A new InsiderAdvantage/Majority Opinion Research poll shows Bob McDonnell’s (R) lead over Creigh Deeds in Virginia’s gubernatorial race down to just 4 points, 51% to 47%.
* A Democracy Corps poll shows Chris Christie’s (R) lead over New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) down to just one point, 40% to 39%, with independent Chris Daggett third with 11%.
* In a setback for Deeds’ campaign in Virginia, former Gov. Douglas Wilder (D) is ignoring a direct request from President Obama and declining to back the Democratic nominee.
* A new Rasmussen poll in California shows incumbent Sen. Barbara Boxer (D) with 10-point leads over her top GOP challengers. Boxer is, however, below the 50% threshold.
* Speaking of California, Meg Whitman’s (R) gubernatorial campaign is getting off to a rough start, in light of revelations that she’s hardly ever voted in her adult life.
* A couple of new polls show former New York Gov. George Pataki (R) as a credible challenger for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) next year.
* Speaking of New York, a Marist College poll shows most voters want to see Gov. David Paterson (D) skip next year’s election, but they also don’t want the White House to pressure him.
* While most recent polls showed Democratic candidates faring well in next year’s Senate race in Ohio, a new Rasmussen poll shows former Bush budget director Rod Portman (R) with narrow leads over the top Dems.
* Massachusetts voters are still down on Gov. Deval Patrick (D), but they’re not exactly ready to vote for a Republican, either.
* The upcoming special election in New York’s 23rd may be a three-way contest between a moderate Dem, a moderate Republican, and a far-right Republican with backing from the Club for Growth.
* In Illinois’ Senate race, Alexi Giannoulias (D) has earned the SEIU’s endorsement.
* And speaking of Illinois, former state GOP chairman Andy McKenna is now running for governor.
