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.
* There have been rumors about a story that would effectively ruin New York Gov. David Paterson’s (D) re-election prospects. It was published in the NYT this morning.
* A possible scandal in Florida: “U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio charged grocery bills, repairs to the family minivan and purchases from a wine store less than a mile from his West Miami home to the Republican Party of Florida while he was speaker of the Florida House, according to records obtained by The Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times.”
* Former Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D) of Tennessee tried to connect last night with gay-rights supporters in New York. Given Ford’s repeated support for an anti-gay constitutional amendment, it didn’t go well.
* In a web video, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is calling out his primary challenger, Rep. J.D. Hayworth for being a Birther. In a GOP primary in Arizona, this may not be effective.
* Sen. Robert Bennett (R) of Utah is already facing a primary challenge, and now that primary field is growing. Former Rep. Merrill Cook (R) will throw hit hat in the ring today.
* In New Mexico, Democratic Lt. Gov. Diane Denish appears to be the frontrunner in this year’s gubernatorial race, at least according to the latest survey from Public Policy Polling.
* In Delaware, Rasmussen shows Rep. Mike Castle (R) leading in the open Senate race, leading Chris Coons (D) by 21 points, 53% to 32%.
* Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.) will face his toughest challenger ever this year, with Morgan Griffith (R), the majority leader of the state House of Delegates, launching his campaign this week.
