THURSDAY’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 DSCC continues to have high hopes targeting freshman Sen. Richard Burr (R) in North Carolina next year. The latest survey from Public Policy Polling shows the incumbent with a 35% approval rating — most of the state doesn’t seem to know who he is — and against a generic Democrat, Burr only leads by one, 42% to 41%.
* Speaking of the Senate race in North Carolina, it appears the White House is signaling its support for former state senator and Iraq war veteran Cal Cunningham in the Democratic primary.
* In Missouri’s closely watched Senate race, a new Rasmussen poll shows Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan (D) narrowly leading Rep. Roy Blunt (R), 46% to 44%.
* Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) has an uphill climb in seeking re-election next year, but she’s getting help from Bill Clinton, who knows a bit about Arkansas.
* In Florida, Rep. Kendrick Meek, the leading Democrat in next year’s Senate race, continues to trail both GOP candidates in the latest Rasmussen poll, but he fares better against Gov. Charlie Crist than former state House Speaker Marco Rubio.
* Speaking of Florida, Allen West, a Republican candidate in the 22nd Congressional District, explained this week, “There are three words I hate to hear used. I hate big-tent. I hate inclusiveness. And I hate outreach.”
* Tom Wiggans, the likely Democratic candidate in Kansas’ gubernatorial race next year, ended his campaign yesterday. The state party would prefer not to let Sen. Sam Brownback (R) run unopposed.
* The Republican primary in Georgia’s gubernatorial race is very crowded, but it appears John Oxendine, the state’s fire and insurance commissioner, is the early frontrunner.
* In Pennsylvania, a new Quinnipiac poll shows state Attorney General Tom Corbett (R) as the early favorite in next year’s gubernatorial campaign.
