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 a surprising new Quinnipiac poll out of Connecticut today, Sen. [tag]Joe Lieberman[/tag] is leading his primary rival, businessman [tag]Ned Lamont[/tag], but not by the kind of margin Lieberman might expect. According to Quinnipiac, Lieberman is ahead, 55% to 40%. Quinnipiac’s Douglas Schwartz said, “Ned Lamont’s surprisingly strong showing at the state Democratic convention gained him a lot of headlines and probably has helped increase his poll numbers. The biggest change is among women and liberals.”
* Sen. [tag]Chuck Schumer[/tag], chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, has taken the very unusual step of endorsing a candidate before the Dem primary, announcing his support yesterday for [tag]James Webb[/tag] in Virginia. Webb is facing businessman [tag]Harris Miller[/tag] in a Dem primary for the right to take on Sen. [tag]George Allen[/tag] (R) in November. Schumer is the ninth Democratic senator to endorse Webb, following John Kerry who announced his support last week.
* Air America’s [tag]Al Franken[/tag] will host a major kick-off for his new political action committee, Midwest Values PAC, tonight in Minneapolis. As Roll Call noted, the PAC already has made $1,000 contributions to several Democratic House candidates, including Francine Busby (Calif.), Tammy Duckworth (Ill.), Nick Lampson (Texas), Lois Murphy (Pa.), Coleen Rowley (Minn.), Dan Seals (Ill.), Tim Walz (Minn.), and to Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Reps. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who are running for Senate, and Missouri Senate contender Claire McCaskill (D). Franken is publicly contemplating a run for Senate in 2008.
* In Alaska, Gov. [tag]Frank Murkowski[/tag] (R), who recently announced that he will run for re-election this year, has seen his popularity plummet lately. According to an Ivan Moore Research survey, 73% of Alaskans view Murkowski unfavorably. When faced up against presumptive Dem nominee [tag]Tony Knowles[/tag], Murkowski trials badly, 53% to 21%. The more immediate challenge for the governor, however, will be surviving a primary challenge against former Wasilla Mayor [tag]Sarah Palin[/tag] and former state Sen. [tag]John Binkley[/tag].
* And in New York, the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee is not accustomed to having to worry about re-election, but this year, Rep. [tag]Tom Reynolds[/tag] (R) is having to scramble a bit in the state’s 26th district. This week, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) joined Reynolds for an event in Buffalo, followed by an appearance the next day from Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) in Rochester. Reynolds will face factory owner [tag]Jack Davis[/tag] (D) in November for a re-match of his 2004 race.