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:
* Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) was one of only two Republicans to vote against a bill last month to shield gun manufacturers from liability suits, which in turn is pushing gun activists to consider voting Dem next year. The Ohio incumbent has never enjoyed enthusiastic support from the NRA and others, but activists have said that if Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) jumps into the race, “gun-rights” groups are prepared to endorse the Dem.
* A Republican poll out today shows Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) ahead of her likely Republican rival, Safeco chief executive Mike McGavick, 46% to 38%. The good news is Cantwell is up eight; the bad news is her support is below 50%, which is often sign of trouble for an incumbent.
* In New Jersey’s gubernatorial race, a new Quinnipiac poll shows Jon Corzine continuing to hold a 10-point lead over Republican Douglas Forrester, 50% to 40%.
* Shaping a debate schedule for Virginia’s gubernatorial candidates is proving to be something of a challenge. State Sen. H. Russell Potts Jr., a Republican running as an independent, insists that he should share the stage. Former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore (R) said he allow Potts to participate, but only if he could produce polls showing him with 15% support or better. “It’s a joke,” said Tom D’Amore, Potts’s campaign director. “It’s a transparent run-and-hide strategy by Mr. Kilgore.” The debate is tentatively slated for Oct. 9 in Richmond. It will be the only televised debate of the campaign.
* And in New York, a new Marist College poll shows Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) leading each of his potential Dem rivals by wide margins. Fernando Ferrer trails Bloomberg by 16 points, while C. Virginia Fields is behind by 18 points.