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
* In Pennsylvania, a new Morning Call\/Muhlenberg College poll<\/a> shows Sen. [tag]Rick Santorum[\/tag]’s (R) attack ads may be having an effect on [tag]Bob Casey[\/tag]’s (D) support. While Casey led by 11 in the last Muhlenberg poll, the new numbers, released today, show his lead down to just five points, 46% to 41%. Most other polls show Casey maintaining a double-digit lead, which suggests this one may be an outlier. Stay tuned.<\/p>\n * Speaking of Pennsylvania, the same Morning Call\/Muhlenberg College poll<\/a> may show the Senate race getting more competitive, but the same cannot be said for the gubernatorial race. The poll shows incumbent Gov. [tag]Ed Rendell[\/tag] (D) leading retired football player [tag]Lynn Swann[\/tag] by 21 points, 56% to 35%.<\/p>\n * In Minnesota, [tag]Amy Klobuchar[\/tag] (D) continues to dominate the open Senate race against Rep. [tag]Mark Kennedy[\/tag] (R). A new Rasmussen poll<\/a> shows Klobuchar’s lead up to 17 points, 53% to 36%. It’s reached the point in which both parties’ Senate campaign committees are pulling out<\/a> of Minnesota because it’s no longer considered competitive.<\/p>\n * Speaking of Minnesota, incumbent Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) is having a very tough time against state Attorney General Mike Hatch (D). A new Rasmussen poll<\/a> shows Hatch leading Pawlenty, 4% to 42%. Independence Party candidate Peter Hutchinson garners 9% support.<\/p>\n * In Iowa, the nation’s most competitive gubernatorial race remains as close as they get. A new Rasmussen poll<\/a> shows Iowa Secretary of State [tag]Chet Culver[\/tag] (D) and Rep. [tag]Jim Nussle[\/tag] (R) tied at 42%. Nine months ago, the two were tied at 40%.<\/p>\n