THURSDAY’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:
* In Nevada, failed Senate candidate Sharron Angle (R) announced yesterday that she’s running for the U.S. House, in a seat being left vacant by Dean Heller (R) who’s running for the Senate. Angle, one of 2010’s more ridiculous and borderline-dangerous personalities, will face a crowded GOP primary field, which will include Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki among others.
* President Obama hasn’t literally said he’s running for a second term, but he’s obviously begun fundraising like someone who’ll obviously be a candidate.
* A couple of county-level officials with the Democratic Party in Michigan are facing felony counts after trying to put bogus Tea Party candidates on the ballot to draw votes away from Republicans. Among other things, the duo have been charged with perjury and forgery.
* Rick Santorum isn’t the only Republican presidential candidate with a “Google problem.” Using the search engine to look up information about Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour turns up all kinds of materials related to his alleged racism.
* With Democrats increasingly confident that DNC Chairman Tim Kaine will run for the Senate in Virginia next year, attention now turns to his possible replacement at Democratic National Committee HQ. The leading contender appears to be former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland.
* In Missouri, a new survey from Public Policy Polling shows Sarah Steelman as the early frontrunner in the GOP Senate primary, though Rep. Todd Akin would be a strong contender if he runs. The winner will face Sen. Claire McCaskill (D).
* In New Mexico, home to an open U.S. Senate race next year, there will be several Democrats vying for the party’s nod, but the early favorite appears to be Rep. Martin Heinrich. Former Lt. Gov. Diane Denish is a close second.
* And Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton effectively ruled out holding government office after 2012, telling CNN she doesn’t want to serve in a different cabinet role or run for national office again.
