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
* Just a few weeks ago, there was considerable pressure on Sen. [tag]Conrad Burns[\/tag] (R-Mont.) to step aside and not run for re-election this year, but Burns’ new ad campaign seems to have helped to stabilize his support. According to a new Rasmussen poll<\/a>, Burns has closed the gap against one Dem rival and has overtaken the other. State Auditor John Morrison (D) still leads Burns, 47% to 45%, but state Senate President Jon Tester (D) now trails Burns, 47% to 44%.<\/p>\n * Speaking of Montana, Burns still faces a Republican primary challenge from [tag]Bob Keenan[\/tag], the top Republican leader in the Montana Senate. Keenan conceded over the weekend that he doesn’t have much money<\/a> for the fight and will instead build his campaign around a month-long RV tour of Montana with his wife and children. The AP noted that Keenan expects to raise about $100,000 for the race, while Burns has several million dollars in the bank.<\/p>\n * In California, Gov. [tag]Arnold Schwarzenegger[\/tag] (R) is now tied with State Comptroller Steve Westly (D) in the latest Field Poll<\/a> (.pdf), with 43% each, though Schwarzenegger leads State Treasurer Phil Angelides, 44% to 40%. The results are more encouraging for Dems than they may appear — both Dems are faring well in head-to-head match-ups, despite modest name recognition statewide. As for the Dem primary, Westly leads Angelides, 37% to 26%, though most Dems remain undecided. (via Taegan Goddard<\/a>)<\/p>\n * Arkansas Attorney General [tag]Mike Beebe[\/tag] (D) continues to look very strong in the state’s gubernatorial race. In the latest Rasmussen poll<\/a>, Beebe has built on an earlier lead and is now ahead of former Rep. [tag]Asa Hutchinson[\/tag] (R), 47% to 36%.<\/p>\n