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
* Political conditions in Maryland seem to be improving all the time. A new Rasmussen poll<\/a> shows Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (R) trailing both of his most likely Dem opponents in next year’s open Senate race. Rep. Ben Cardin (D) leads Steele 49% to 41%, expanding on the five-point lead Cardin enjoyed a month ago. Steele leads former Rep. Kweisi Mfume by one point, 45% to 44%, but Steele’s lead was seven points a month ago.<\/p>\n * Speaking of Maryland, Rasmussen also found<\/a> good news for the Dem gubernatorial candidates. Republican Gov. Bob Ehrlich is seeking re-election, but a year out he trails both of his most likely Dem challengers. Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley leads Ehrlich 46% to 40%, while Montgomery County Executive Douglas Duncan is ahead 48% to 39%.<\/p>\n * Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) is still below the 50% threshold looking ahead to her re-election campaign, but she also still enjoys a sizable lead over her most likely challenger. A new poll from Strategic Vision<\/a>, a Republican polling firm, shows Granholm leading businessman Dick DeVos (R), 44% to 33%.<\/p>\n * In related news, the same Strategic Vision poll<\/a> shows Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) ahead of her most likely GOP challengers by sizable margins. Stabenow leads Mark Bouchard 45% to 31% and Keith Butler 48% to 29%.<\/p>\n