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
* Slowly but surely, Lt. Gov. Timothy Kaine (D) has expanded his support in Virginia’s gubernatorial race. With only about three months before voters elect a new governor, a new Mason-Dixon poll shows Kaine surging ahead of former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore (R), 38% to 37%<\/a>. In recent months, Kaine has trailed Kilgore in the mid-single digits. The M-D poll suggests Kaine is benefitting from current Gov. Mark Warner’s (D) continued popularity — Warner’s approval rating is a stunning 74%.<\/p>\n * Responding to widespread retirement rumors, House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) made it clear over the weekend that he plans to run for re-election<\/a> next year and wants to remain Speaker until the end of Bush’s term in office.<\/p>\n * With Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) looking less and less like he’s running for re-election, Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey (R) has quietly lined up<\/a> a team of Republican donors, opinion leaders, and Massachusetts GOP activists to run for the state’s top job herself.<\/p>\n * With Ohio Republicans mired in scandal, state Dems are anxious to take advantage of the opportunity and field a strong, top-tier candidate to take on incumbent Sen. Mike DeWine (R). Rep. Sherrod Brown (D) remains the party’s top choice, but because he’s hesitating, Ohio Dems are focusing on a back-up plan: Rep. Tim Ryan<\/a> (D). A Democratic consultant who has done work in Ohio confirmed Ryan’s interest in the Senate race. “Are people talking to him? You betcha. Are people encouraging him? You betcha,” the consultant said, adding that Ryan is “absolutely entertaining” the idea of running against DeWine. <\/p>\n