MONDAY’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 late surge in New Jersey’s gubernatorial race? Three new polls out this morning show Chris Christie (R) leading Gov. Jon Corzine (D) the day before voters head to the polls. Quinnipiac has Christie up by two (42% to 40%); Public Policy Polling puts Christie’s lead at six (47% to 41%); and Monmouth shows Christie leading by one (43% to 42%).
* President Obama appeared at two Corzine rallies in New Jersey yesterday, as part of the campaign’s GOTV drive.
* In New York’s 23rd, a new Siena poll, taken after Scozzafava’s endorsement announcement, shows Conservative Party nominee Doug Hoffman leading Democrat Bill Owens by five, 41% to 36%.
* Republican Dede Scozzafava is now going all out in support of Owens. The GOP candidate, who suspended her campaign Saturday, endorsed Owens yesterday, and appeared at an Owens campaign event last night. Today, Scozzafava robocalls in support of the Democratic candidate will begin in the district.
* On a related note, Vice President Biden will be in New York’s 23rd today in support of Owens, while politician/actor Fred Thompson will be on the ground to generate support for Hoffman.
* In Virginia, Bob McDonnell (R) didn’t want to be seen with Sarah Palin, but the controversial former governor is featured on a new robocall, which encourages Virginians to “vote for Sarah’s principles” on Election Day.
* Late Friday, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom (D) ended his gubernatorial campaign. Polls showed him trailing state Attorney General Jerry Brown (D) badly.
* In Florida, a Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times/Bay News 9 poll shows Gov. Charlie Crist’s (R) approval rating dropping to 42%. In his Senate primary against Marco Rubio, however, Crist still leads, 50% to 28%.
* On a related note, the same poll showed Florida’s gubernatorial campaign looking very competitive, with state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink (D) narrowly leading state Attorney General Bill McCollum (R), 38% to 37%.
