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.
* American Crossroads, a Republican campaign operation backed by Karl Rove, launched a new attack ad in Nevada today, condemning Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) for helping pass the economic recovery package that prevented a depression last year.
* He seemed a little reluctant to admit it, but Florida Senate hopeful Marco Rubio (R) told CNBC’s Larry Kudlow that he still supports coastal oil drilling. Kudlow summed the segment up at the end: “Mr. Crist is going to run against offshore drilling, and you are going to run in favor of it, do I have that right?”
* In Texas’ gubernatorial race, incumbent Gov. Rick Perry (R) is worried enough about Dallas Mayor former Houston Mayor Bill White (D) that Perry may refuse to participate in a debate. (thanks to reader V.S. for the heads-up)
* South Carolina’s Vic Rawl, shocked by last week’s defeat in last week’s Democratic Senate primary, may file an official protest over Alvin Greene’s bizarre victory.
* Speaking of South Carolina, much of the Republican establishment is thrilled with Nikki Haley, but some prominent GOP leaders still hope she loses the runoff a week from tomorrow. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer (R) has endorsed her challenger, Rep. Gresham Barrett (R).
* Giving his re-election prospects a bit of a boost, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland (D) picked up the National Rifle Association’s endorsement this morning.
* Indiana Republicans have chosen state Sen. Marlin Stutzman (R) to run to replace former Rep. Mark Souder (R), who resigned in disgrace last month.
* In New York’s gubernatorial race, a new Siena poll shows Andrew Cuomo (D) with a huge lead, but not quite as huge as the last poll. Cuomo now leads by about 36 points over each of his GOP challengers.
* Karl Rove is not only backing Rep. Todd Tiahrt in Kansas’ Senate Republican primary, he’s also attacking Tiahrt’s challenger, Rep. Jerry Moran (R), with unusually harsh criticism.
* And most of the candidates on the National Republican Congressional Committee’s “Young Guns” program have something in common: they’re not especially young.
