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
* I guess Rick “Man on Dog” Santorum’s new book hasn’t boosted his popularity in Pennsylvania. A new poll, from a Republican pollster, shows Pennsylvania Treasurer Bob Casey (D) leading Santorum, 51% to 40%<\/a>, in next year’s Senate race.<\/p>\n * A group called Hillary Now! will run TV ads<\/a> in several New Hampshire markets this week, touting Hillary Clinton for president. Activist Bob Kunst, who lives in Miami, said, “Hillary is the strongest Democrat. She’s the most popular woman in the country.” The ad will get more free media than earned — it will only air Tuesday through Thursday on cable news from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.<\/p>\n * Sen. Jon Corzine’s (D-N.J.) gubernatorial campaign is facing its first major challenge: whether to announce who Corzine would tap as his replacement if he won. The pressure this week is particularly intense: several Latino journalists are demanding<\/a> that Corzine tell them if he intends to appoint Rep. Robert Menendez (D). If they don’t get the answer they’re looking for, the group says they will endorse Corzine’s Republican opponent, Doug Forrester. (via Taegan Goddard<\/a>)<\/p>\n * Of all the Dem presidential aspirants, Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) seems to be working the hardest in the early states. Just three weeks after a big swing through New Hampshire, Bayh is spending three days in Iowa<\/a>. The senator will speak to Dems this week at fundraisers for Iowa Rep. Leonard Boswell and a county Democratic group. His schedule includes private meetings with Dem activists and a public event with Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack.<\/p>\n * Gov. Bob Riley (R-Ala.) may have upset voters last year with a failed attempt to raise state taxes, but he remains well liked among leading party activists. Nearly three-fourths of Alabama’s Republican Executive Committee, when looking ahead to next year’s gubernatorial race, said they back Riley<\/a> for re-election. Only 21% backed former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore.<\/p>\n * While West Virginia Republicans wait for Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) to announce her intentions in 2006, GOP activist Rick Snuffer, who tried unsuccessfully to unseat Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) in 2004, isn’t waiting anymore<\/a>. Snuffer said he will file papers next week to challenge Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) next year.<\/p>\n