WEDNESDAY’S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP…. Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that won’t necessarily generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:
* Republican presidential hopeful Tim Pawlenty yesterday raised the prospect of sending U.S. ground troops into Libya. The former Minnesota governor said he doesn’t “want to” do this, “but additional resources in terms of Special Forces, limited, as well as communications capability and other enabling technologies and people, I think, would be a good use of it.”
* State Auditor Hector Balderas (D) officially launched a U.S. Senate campaign in New Mexico yesterday, and hopes to replace retiring Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D). Balderas will face Rep. Martin Heinrich in a Democratic primary.
* In Nevada, a new survey from Public Policy Polling shows Rep. Dean Heller (R) narrowly leading in the 2012 Senate race, topping Rep. Shelley Berkley (D), 47% to 43%. In January, Heller’s lead was 13 points.
* Speaking of Nevada, there were some reports this week that Sharron Angle would run as an independent in her U.S. House race if she didn’t receive the GOP nod. Yesterday, the failed former Senate candidate denied any such plans.
* In Wisconsin, Dems may be able to file recall petitions targeting a sixth Republican state senator.
* In West Virginia, which will hold its gubernatorial race this year, acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D) and Betty Ireland (R) are leading their respective primary campaigns. The primary election is in three weeks,
* Apparently, the first debate for GOP presidential candidates is supposed to be next week in South Carolina. No one’s sure if any actual candidates will be there.
* Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) is talking about running for president. No, seriously, he really is.
* Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), a possible presidential candidate, thinks JFK quotes were uttered by Abraham Lincoln. (Since she believes Lexington and Concord are in New Hampshire, I guess this isn’t surprising.)
