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:
* The recent debate in Virginia’s gubernatorial race seems to have given Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine (D) a boost. In a new Rassmussen poll shows former state Attorney General Jerry Kilgore (R) still in the lead, but by a much smaller margin, 43% to 40%.
* In Vermont’s open Senate race, Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie (R) all-but announced his intention to run this week, filing paperwork to create an exploratory committee. If he gets the Republican nomination, he’ll take on Rep. Bernie Sanders (I), who, as the state’s most popular political figure, is favored to win.
* The GOP establishment is coming to Linc Chafee’s (R) aid in Rhode Island. Within 24 hours of Cranston Mayor Stephen Laffey’s announcement of a primary challenge, the National Republican Senatorial Committee was ready, quietly circulating a briefing paper entitled: “The Laffey Tax Machine.”
* A new Pittsburgh Tribune-Review/WTAE-Channel 4 Keystone poll confirms every other recent survey with regard to the state’s upcoming Senate race — state Treasurer Bob Casey (D) is expanding his lead over Rick Santorum. In this poll, the lead is 13 points, 50% to 37%.
* In the same poll, former football player Lynn Swann has taken the lead among Republicans vying to take on Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell next year, while former Lt. Gov. Bill Scranton has faded. The poll shows Swann leading among GOP primary voters with 25%, Scranton second with 18%, and State Senate Majority Whip Jeffrey Piccola far behind with 5%.