FRIDAY’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.
* After losing his Senate primary last week, Delaware Rep. Mike Castle (R) appeared to be finished with electoral politics. Now, however, Castle is poised to poll his state about the viability of a third-party, independent, write-in campaign. A Castle spokesperson put the chances of him running as a write-in “under 5 percent.”
* It’s not exactly encouraging that many militia activists in Alaska seem awfully fond of Senate candidate Joe Miller (R).
* In Nevada’s Senate race, a new Mason-Dixon poll shows Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) tied with extremist challenger Sharron Angle (R), each garnering 43% support.
* Rep. Roy Blunt’s (R-Mo.) Senate campaign presented Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan with a package of six proposed debates. Now Blunt has refused to participate if four of the six events he requested.
* In New York’s suddenly-interesting gubernatorial race, a new Marist poll shows state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo (D) leading Carl Paladino (R) by 19 points, 52% to 33%, with Conservative Party nominee Rick Lazio running third with 9%.
* On the heels of a PPP poll showing a competitive Senate race in West Virginia, the National Republican Senatorial Committee is launching a new round of attack ads against Gov. Joe Manchin (D).
* In Florida’s gubernatorial race, the latest Mason-Dixon poll shows state CFO Alex Sink (D) leading Rick Scott (R), 47% to 40%.
* In California’s Senate race, a new Field Poll shows Sen. Barbara Boxer (D) increasing her lead to six points over failed former HP CEO Carly Fiorina (R), 47% to 41%.
* In a veritable replay of last year’s special election, Doug Hoffman will run again in New York’s 23rd as the Conservative Party nominee against Democratic incumbent Rep. Bill Owens and Republican nominee Matt Doheny.
* Don’t expect competitive races in Idaho this year — the latest Mason-Dixon poll shows Gov. Butch Otter (R) and Sen. Mike Crapo (R) with large leads over their Democratic challengers.
