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 New Hampshire, Public Policy Polling shows Mitt Romney still well ahead of the Republican presidential field with 35% support. Ron Paul is second with 19%, Newt Gingrich is third with 17%, and Jon Huntsman is a competitive fourth with 13%. No other candidate was in double digits.
* In South Carolina, however, a Clemson University poll of South Carolina Republicans shows Gingrich holding onto a big lead over Romney, 38% to 21%. [Update: Reader A.D. reminds me this survey was conducted from Dec. 6 to 19, which a long time in polling, and which may call the results into question given changing trends over the course of the last couple of weeks.]
* Three new national polls all show Gingrich and Romney tied among Republican voters. The Washington Post/ABC News poll shows them tied at 30% each; a CBS News poll shows them tied at 20% each; and a CNN poll shows them tied at 28% each. Paul is a relatively distant third in all three polls.
* A new national USA Today/Gallup Poll shows President Obama leading both Romney and Gingrich in hypothetical match-ups, but by only two points.
* Rick Perry is the latest GOP presidential candidate to begin attacking Gingrich, and in a new television ad, the Texas governor targets the disgraced former House Speaker for his lobbying work.
* Gingrich is clearly beginning to struggle in Iowa, but he’s fighting back, despite meager fundraising. The Gingrich camp just bought $242,000 in airtime in the Hawkeye State. He’s also launching an Iowa bus tour.
* And in Texas, ESPN college football analyst Craig James, who has never sought or held public office, is now a U.S. Senate candidate. He joins a crowded Republican primary, arguably led by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. There is no Democratic candidate currently in the race.
