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
* A new Quinnipiac poll<\/a> offers Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) some very encouraging news about her re-election prospects. Her approval rating is up to 63%, two-thirds of New Yorkers believe she deserves a second term, and among all of her potential GOP rivals, no one comes close. There is, however, a catch: 60% of statewide voters want Clinton to promise to serve a full second six-year term. So far, that hasn’t happened.<\/p>\n * Despite having said in January he wouldn’t run for governor, Rep. Ted Strickland (D-Ohio) has apparently changed his mind and will reportedly announce a gubernatorial bid<\/a> early next week. The race will be wide open, with incumbent Gov. Robert Taft (R) leaving office due to term limits. Strickland will likely face Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman in a Dem primary, while Republican candidates include Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell, Attorney General Jim Petro, and Auditor Betty Montgomery.<\/p>\n * The only Dems disappointed by Strickland’s decision to run for governor are DSCC recruiters. Two-term Republican Sen. Mike DeWine is considered vulnerable next year, and Dem leaders had pinned their hopes on Strickland, who met with Harry Reid<\/a> about the race in March. Now, Dem attention will likely shift to Rep. Sherrod Brown, who’s ruled out a gubernatorial bid<\/a>, but may be open to a Senate campaign.<\/p>\n * With Strickland running for governor, of course, a House seat is opening up and the race for positioning in Ohio’s 6th congressional district has already begun. Among the early names is Rep. John Boccieri<\/a>, a right-leaning Dem, who party leaders have long considered as a viable congressional candidate.<\/p>\n * Since Bernie Sanders preparing a run for the Senate, both parties are scrambling to find top-tier candidates to fill Vermont’s lone House seat. Maj. Gen. Martha Rainville, head of the Vermont National Guard, said yesterday she is seriously considering the race<\/a>. Though she has not been outwardly partisan in the past, Rainville said should run as a Republican.<\/p>\n