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.
* Are Democrats increasingly worried about the U.S. Senate race in Connecticut? Yep. The DSCC “has bought approximately $300,000 worth of TV air time” in support of state A.G. Richard Blumenthal (D).
* In Massachusetts’ gubernatorial race, independent candidate Tim Cahill’s running mate is leaving the ticket and endorsing the Republican, and rumor has it that Cahill may drop out as early as today. The move would likely make re-election more difficult for incumbent Gov. Deval Patrick (D).
* California gubernatorial hopeful Meg Whitman (R) hasn’t quite figured out what to do with charges she hired a maid who entered the country illegally, and her version of events appears to be changing.
* Last year, Democrats had high hopes for the U.S. Senate race in New Hampshire, but those hopes have since all but disappeared. As of yesterday, a University of New Hampshire poll showed Kelly Ayotte (R) leading Rep. Paul Hodes (D) by 15, 50% to 35%.
* The Illinois gubernatorial campaign appeared to be a major GOP pick-up opportunity, but a new Chicago Tribune/WGN-TV poll shows Republican Bill Brady’s advantage fading fast. Incumbent Gov. Pat Quinn (D) is now narrowly ahead, 39% to 38%.
* Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D) new campaign ad in Nevada reminds voters that Sharron Angle (R) has opposed mandatory coverage for mammograms.
* In Florida’s gubernatorial race, a new Quinnipiac poll shows Rick Scott (R) leading Alex Sink (D), 49% to 43%, among likely voters.
* In a bit of a surprise, the NRA has thrown its support to Rep. Brad Ellsworth’s (D) Senate campaign in Indiana. Polls shows Ellsworth trailing badly against corporate lobbyist Dan Coats (R).
* With nearly all polls in Wisconsin showing Sen. Russ Feingold (D) trailing right-wing businessman Ron Johnson (R), MoveOn.org has made the incumbent’s re-election a top priority.
* In New York’s gubernatorial race, the latest Marist Poll shows Andrew Cuomo (D) leading Carl Paladino (R) by 15 points, 53% to 38%. Meanwhile, Paladino is walking back some of his latest attacks against his opponent, but not in an honest way.
* In New Mexico’s gubernatorial race, PPP shows Susana Martinez (R) leading Lt. Gov. Diane Denish (D), 50% to 42%.
* And in North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race, PPP shows Elaine Marshall (D) struggling to catch incumbent Sen. Richard Burr (R), whose lead has increased to 13, 49% to 36%.
