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.
* The proposed RNC “purity test” is struggling to pick up support from party leaders. Yesterday, former RNC chairman Ed Gillespie told CBS it would not be “in the best interest of the party.”
* In a surprise move, the Boston Globe endorsed community service leader Alan Khazei in Massachusetts’ Senate Democratic primary. Recent polls show Khazei struggling to get to double digits. The primary election is Dec. 8 — a week from tomorrow.
* On a related note, former Massachusetts governor and presidential nominee Michael Dukakis (D) threw his support to Rep. Mike Capuano’s (D) Senate campaign. State Attorney General Martha Coakley remains the Democratic frontrunner, but there’s some evidence to suggest Capuano is closing the gap.
* In Wisconsin, the latest survey from Public Policy Polling shows Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett (D) leading next year’s gubernatorial race, but by a narrow margin. Barrett leads former Rep. Mark Neumann (R) by two (41% to 39%); leads former Gov. Tommy Thompson (R) by five (46% to 41%), and is tied 40% each against Milwaukee County executive Scott Walker (R).
* In Michigan, a new Mitchell Research & Communications poll shows state Attorney General Mike Cox leading Rep. Pete Hoekstra in a Republican gubernatorial primary, 27% to 24%.
* Republicans have been eyeing Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Texas) as a vulnerable incumbent, but the leading GOP challenger will apparently skip the race next year.
* Ralph Nader is still thinking about running for the Senate in Connecticut next year.
* And in a bit of surprise, Mike Huckabee said he is “less than likely” to run for president in 2012. I find that pretty hard to believe.
