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:<\/p>\n
* The Obama campaign unveiled its first new TV ad in a while, called, “America’s Leadership<\/a>.” The spot focuses on Obama’s bipartisan work on counter-proliferation, with Obama explaining, “The single most important national security threat that we face is nuclear weapons falling into the hands of terrorists.” The commercial will run in 18 states, including 14 “red” states.<\/p>\n * A new Quinnipiac poll<\/a> shows Obama leading John McCain nationally by nine, 50% to 41%.<\/p>\n * Fortunately, wrestler-turned-politician Jesse Ventura told Larry King last night, “I’m not going to run at this moment<\/a>” for the U.S. Senate. What about the “at this moment” qualifier? Ventura would have to change his mind very quickly: the federal filing deadline is today.<\/p>\n * Obama spoke to the NAACP<\/a> yesterday, once again arguing that “African Americans needed to take more responsibility for their lives and families, a theme that had angered one of the icons of the civil rights movement.” The message seemed to resonate with, rather than alienate, the audience.<\/p>\n * McCain surrogate\/advisor Carly Fiorina told NBC<\/a> that McCain is committed to “fully” funding No Child Left Behind. In reality, McCain has already voted against fully funding the education policy.<\/p>\n * Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) is generating some VP buzz, but he’s not pushing it<\/a>. “There are people that are spending a lot of time, one, looking for candidates, and … trying to promote themselves as candidates,” Reed said. “And I’m in neither category.” * Rasmussen shows Obama leading McCain in Michigan<\/a> by eight, 47% to 39%.<\/p>\n * Public Policy Polling (D) shows Obama leading McCain in Colorado<\/a> by four, 47% to 43%.<\/p>\n * I never would have imagined South Dakota being in any way competitive, but Rasmussen shows McCain’s lead in South Dakota<\/a> down to just four points, 47% to 43%.<\/p>\n * Rasmussen shows McCain leading Obama in Louisiana<\/a> by 19, 56% to 37%.<\/p>\n * Rasmussen shows Obama leading McCain in Iowa<\/a> by 10, 48% to 38%.<\/p>\n * Rasmussen shows Obama leading McCain in Minnesota<\/a> by 10, 52% to 34%.<\/p>\n * Speaking of Michigan, Obama has quite a ground operation<\/a> in the state. Put it this way, the Kerry campaign took Michigan seriously in ’04, and Obama’s operation is already twice as big.<\/p>\n * Obama’s fundraising in Orange County, Calif., is surprisingly strong<\/a>.<\/p>\n * Who’s leading the Senate race in Minnesota? It depends<\/a> on which pollster you listen to.<\/p>\n
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\n* Is John McCain campaigning in Arizona<\/a>?<\/p>\n