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 Connecticut, a Quinnipiac poll a few weeks ago showed Sen. Joe Lieberman (I) leading Ned Lamont (D) by 17 points. A new Quinnipiac poll out today shows the race closer, but not close enough to constitute good news for Dems — 49% to 37%. Republican Alan Schlesinger is a distant third with 8%. The key to Lieberman’s lead remains his support from Connecticut Republicans, with whom he enjoys 73% support.
* It looked rough a couple of months ago, but Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) appears to finally be on track to win a second term. A new Detroit News poll shows the incumbent leading Amway heir Dick DeVos (R) by 10 points, 52% to 42%. A similar poll released yesterday showed Granholm up, 48% to 36%.
* Even when other polls showed Jim Webb (D) pulling ahead of Sen. George Allen (R) in Virginia, Rasmussen consistently showed the incumbent with a lead. Not anymore. A new Rasmussen poll shows Webb leading 48% to 46%. Webb does even better when “leaners” are included in the mix: 51% to 46%.
* Could Maryland’s gubernatorial race be competitive after all? Over the weekend, the WaPo showed Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley leading incumbent Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R) by 10. Today, the Baltimore Sun shows a one-point race, with O’Malley ahead 47% to 46%. Green Party candidate Ed Boyd had 2% support.
* Speaking of gubernatorial races that suddenly look competitive, Rasmussen now shows Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle (D) with a shrinking lead over Rep. Mark Green (R), 48% to 44%.
* Reuters/Zogby released a whole slew of numbers for key U.S. House races today, too many to list here. Among the highlights are VA-2, PA-6, OH-18, NC-11, NM-1, MN-6, KY-4, IA-1, IN-9, IN-2, IL-6, CT-4, CT-2, and CO-7. Long story short — Dems are in pretty good shape in the House.