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:
* A new statewide poll in California this weeks shows that 58% of all Californians disapprove of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s job performance, while only 31% approve. The Field poll data shows a drop across the board, including an 18-point drop in support among California Republicans.
* Speaking of gubernatorial polls, Jerry Kilgore’s (R) lead over Tim Kaine (D) in this year’s gubernatorial race in Virginia has narrowed over the last couple of months. In April, Kilgore led by eight points (44% to 36%), but now Kaine has closed the gap, trailing by six (46% to 40%) with just over four months left before the election.
* And if you’re looking for even more polling numbers, a new poll in Florida shows Republican Attorney General Charlie Crist and Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Davis leading their parties’ competition to be the next governor of Florida.
* One disturbing development that could impact the race(s) in Florida is the fact that the Florida Democratic Party doesn’t have enough money in the bank to pay its bills after the end of the month, has been slapped with a lien by the Internal Revenue Service for failing to pay payroll and Social Security taxes in 2003, and is on the verge of bankruptcy. Scott Maddox, who’s been running the state party for the last few years, recently left the post to run for governor. One has to assume the news won’t help his campaign.
* For the first time, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) acknowledged yesterday that he’s considering a presidential bid in 2008. “If someone said, well, you know, the governor’s testing the national waters, that’s a fair characterization,” Romney said. “But I’m planning on running for governor. Time will tell, I’ll make a final decision and an announcement in the fall, and we’ll go from there.”
* Republicans have already made Rep. Melissa Bean (D) one of their top targets in 2006, but party officials can’t quite settle on a candidate. Investment banker David McSweeney (R) is already off and running, promising to invest “at least seven figures” into his campaign, but Republicans believe he’ll lose. Businesswoman Teresa Bartels (R) was in DC recently to try and generate support for her campaign, but the response was mixed. State Rep. Bob Churchill (R) is eyeing the race, but isn’t setting the world on fire. Now, conservative leaders in DC are urging trial attorney Al Salvi (R) to consider the race.