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 Michigan, Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s (D) approval rating has dropped below the 50% threshold, but she continues to enjoy a huge lead over her likely Republican opponent. A new EPIC/MRA poll shows Granholm leading Dick DeVos, 50% to 30%.
* Speaking of Michigan, incumbent Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D) enjoys an even bigger lead over her likely GOP opponent next year, the Rev. Keith Butler, 49% to 25%. Stabenow’s support has dropped slightly since August, but then again, so has Butler’s.
* Rep. Sue Kelly (R-N.Y.) will likely have a Republican primary next year from a Log Cabin Republican senior official who insists Kelly has abandoned her fiscal conservative roots. Jeff Cook, Log Cabin’s former national field director, launched an exploratory committee earlier this week and is planning two fundraisers later this fall in Washington and New York to reel in $200,000. “I have become really concerned in the last couple of years about the direction of some of the leaders in our party,” Cook said. “If the Republican Party is unwilling … to stand up to the trappings and the temptations of big government, then who will?
* Actor Warren Beatty continued his ongoing assault on California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), accusing him of governing “by show, by spin, by cosmetics and photos ops” while imposing Bush administration policies on California. He did not, however, say he would run against him, though he said he hadn’t ruled it out.
* And in Connecticut, New Haven Mayor John DeStefano Jr. (D) announced this week that he will run for governor next year.