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:
* Mitt Romney’s campaign raised an impressive $24 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, and enters 2012 with more than $19 million cash on hand. To date, the campaign has already exceeded its published goals.
* On a related note, Romney’s Super PAC, which has its own expansive fundraising operation, has bought over $2.5 million in airtime for campaign ads in Florida. The primary in the Sunshine State is Jan. 28.
* And speaking of Florida, a new Quinnipiac poll shows Romney leading President Obama in the state, 46% to 43%. Obama would be ahead, but there’s a base gap — 92% of Florida Republicans would back Romney, but only 84% of Florida Dems would support the president.
* At the national level, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows President Obama leading Romney, 48% to 43%. The rest of the GOP field fared even worse in hypothetical match-ups.
* Rick Santorum raised quite a bit of money after Iowa, but he couldn’t spend in time to influence the outcome in New Hampshire. The former senator will, however, put his new-found riches to use in South Carolina, and a top Santorum consultant said they’ll spend at least $1.5 million in ads in the state.
* The most organized presidential candidate in New Hampshire wasn’t a Republican. It was President Obama.
* Is Jon Huntsman’s father prepared to throw good money after bad in his son’s failing campaign? He doesn’t want to talk about it.
* Rep. Paul Gosar (R) is worried about re-election in Arizona, so he’s moving to a neighboring, more GOP-friendly district.
* And speaking of Arizona, Sen. John McCain (R) told Sean Hannity yesterday that choosing Sarah Palin his running mate was “still the best decision I’ve ever made.” I’m not sure if he was kidding, or if his life has been a series of awful decisions.
