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 case you missed it over the weekend, the Des Moines Register released its new Iowa Poll over the weekend, showing Newt Gingrich leading the Republican field, followed by Ron Paul and Mitt Romney.
* The latest NBC/Marist poll also shows Gingrich ahead in Iowa with 26%. This poll shows Romney second with 18% and Ron Paul with 17%.
* The NBC/Marist poll shows Romney faring better in New Hampshire, where he leads the pack with 39% support, followed by Gingrich at 23%.
* When it comes to hypothetical match-ups, NBC/Marist shows President Obama leading Romney in Iowa by seven, and trailing Romney in New Hampshire by three.
* With just four weeks remaining before the caucuses, Gingrich is launching his first television ad in Iowa today. It’s a minute-long spot filled with vague platitudes, nice pictures, and stirring music.
* Reality-show personality Donald Trump has agreed to moderate an upcoming Republican presidential debate sponsored by the right-wing Newsmax. The event is scheduled for Dec. 27 in Iowa.
* On a related note, Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman have already said they will not participate in the Trump-led debate.
* Huntsman will also skip a debate in Iowa this week, scheduled for Saturday.
* Gingrich is making a major push in South Carolina, where Romney appears to be struggling.
* To the surprise of no one, Wall Street and corporate lobbyists are gearing up for the U.S. Senate race in Massachusetts in a big way, hoping to help Sen. Scott Brown (R) overcome a challenge from Elizabeth Warren (D).
