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:
* In Iowa, yet another poll, this one from Mason-Dixon, shows Michele Bachmann leading the GOP presidential field with 32% support. Mitt Romney is close behind with 29%, but the right-wing Minnesotan is the one with all the momentum.
* As Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) continues to ponder his presidential plans, his close ties to Confederate groups are drawing new scrutiny.
* Republican presidential hopeful Tim Pawlenty is investing considerable energy in convincing GOP voters that his Christian faith is at the center of his entire political worldview.
* As it turns out, Pawlenty launched his overtly-Christian push the same day as he “respectfully” declined to endorse the Family Leader’s right-wing “Marriage Vow” pledge.
* Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain also rejected the pledge, arguing that his state platform already “encompasses their values without the need to sign the pledge.”
* On a related note, Michele Bachmann, who did sign the document, is now claiming she only endorsed part of the radical pledge. (Isn’t there a Commandment against lying?)
* Among Utah Republicans, Mitt Romney leads Jon Huntsman by a whopping 53 points in the race for the GOP presidential nomination. Huntsman, of course, was elected governor of Utah twice.
* On a related note, the same poll, released yesterday by Public Policy Polling, shows Sen. Orrin Hatch (R) trailing his likely primary challenger, Rep. Jason Chaffetz, 47% to 43%.
* As the recall process gets underway in Wisconsin, a new statewide poll shows Gov. Scott Walker’s (R) approval rating dropping to just 37%.
* And on Fox News last night, former half-term Gov. Sarah Palin suggested she’d have to make up her mind about the presidential race no later than September.
