TUESDAY’S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP…. Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn’t necessarily generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:
* The latest CNN national poll shows President Obama’s approval rating at 55%, its highest point since November 2009.
* As expected, Rahm Emanuel’s attorneys appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court this morning, hoping to save his mayoral campaign in Chicago. Early voting in the city begins in just six days.
* Sen. John Ensign (R) apparently won’t let a massive sex/corruption scandal and criminal investigation stand in the way of seeking re-election. The Nevada senator will hold a meeting of his re-election steering committee a week from today.
* Rep. Connie Mack (R) appears to be gearing up for a U.S. Senate race in Florida, launching a new fundraising drive to get him ready for the “next opportunity.” He’ll join a GOP primary, with the winner set to take on Sen. Bill Nelson (D) next year.
* GOP officials hope to see Rep. Jim Jordan (R), chairman of the right-wing Republican Study Committee, run against Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) in Ohio next year, but it looks increasingly unlikely. As of now, Jordan is “leaning against it.”
* In the wake of her failed bid to lead the Republican National Committee, former Missouri Republican party chair Ann Wagner is getting ready to run for the U.S. Senate next year against Sen. Claire McCaskill (D). Wagner’s interest reinforces rumors that former Sen. Jim Talent is no longer a likely candidate.
* Similarly, Michigan GOP leader Saul Anuzis, who also failed in his bid for the RNC chairmanship, is apparently interested in taking on Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D) in 2012.
* Former Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley (R), who narrowly lost Connecticut’s gubernatorial race last year, isn’t interested in retiring Sen. Joe Lieberman’s (I-Conn.) seat. Instead, Foley is already planning a rematch against Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy (D) in 2014.
