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:
* New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) threw his support to Mitt Romney yesterday. Romney described Christie as “a real hero in Republican circles.”
* In Iowa, the latest survey from Public Policy Polling shows Herman Cain with a big lead in the first caucus state, topping the field with 30% support. Romney is second in the poll with 22%, followed by Ron Paul at 10%. No other candidate is in double digits.
* Slowly but surely, the Republican establishment moves closer to Romney every day. This morning, another senator, another House member, and former House Speaker Dennis Hastert all endorsed the former Massachusetts governor.
* Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the third ranking Democrat in the Senate, believes Dems are likely to “pick up a seat or two” in 2012.
* In Hawaii, former Gov. Linda Lingle (R) announced she’s running for the Senate next year, giving Republicans a credible shot at an open-seat pick-up. The leading Democrat at this point is Rep. Mazie Hirono (D), who lost to Lingle in the 2002 gubernatorial race.
* Though no one seemed to care, Michele Bachmann yesterday unveiled an 11-point economic plan yesterday.
* At an Orlando fundraiser last night, hosted by some NBA legends, President Obama told supporters, “I was mentioning to some of the basketball players who were here that this is like the second quarter, maybe the third, and we’ve still got a lot of work to do. But I want everybody to know I’m a fourth-quarter player.”
* And former NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) announced yesterday that, after careful consideration, no one wants to vote for him it’s too late for him to launch another presidential campaign.
