Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn’t generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:
* In the all-consuming Dem Senate primary in Connecticut, [tag]Ned Lamont[/tag] will pick up an endorsement today from [tag]Michael Schiavo[/tag]. As the Stamford Advocate reported, Schiavo will emphasize [tag]Joe Lieberman[/tag]’s support for the GOP’s intervention in the fate of his deceased wife Terri. Lieberman, meanwhile, unveiled his new TV ad yesterday, which features Bill Clinton describing the senator as a good Dem and a good friend.
* Arkansas’ gubernatorial race is slightly more competitive than it was, but state Attorney General [tag]Mike Beebe[/tag] (D) remains in the lead. According to a new Rasmussen poll, Beebe is ahead of former Rep. [tag]Asa Hutchinson[/tag] (R), 47% to 40%. As the pollster noted, Beebe’s support has been between 46% and 49% for months, while Hutchinson is stuck between 36% and 40%.
* In Virginia’s closely-watched Senate race, a new Rasmussen poll shows incumbent Sen. [tag]George Allen[/tag] still in the lead over former Navy Secretary [tag]James Webb[/tag], 50% to 39%. These numbers are similar to where the race was a month ago, when Allen led Webb 51% to 41%.
* The run-off Dem primary in Georgia’s 4th congressional district may very well end the controversial career of Rep. [tag]Cynthia McKinney[/tag] (D). A new poll by Insider Advantage shows former DeKalb County Commissioner [tag]Hank Johnson[/tag] (D) leading McKinney among district Dems, 46% to 21%, though turn-out in run-off primaries is almost impossible to predict. The two face-off on August 8, and considering the district, the winner of the Dem primary is certain to win in November.
* And in Indiana, the latest Research 2000 poll shows Rep. [tag]Chris Chocola[/tag] (R), a top Dem target this year, trailing businessman [tag]Joe Donnelly[/tag] (D), 46% to 41%. “He’s in deep and serious trouble,” pollster Del Ali told the South Bend newspaper, referring to Chocola. The incumbent Republican is perhaps best known for publicly supporting the elimination of Social Security.