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 Ohio, a new Quinnipiac poll<\/a> shows Rep. Sherrod Brown (D) surging past incumbent Sen. Mike DeWine (R), 53% to 41%. It’s the biggest lead either candidate has seen all year. The key is Brown’s big lea among Ohio’s independent voters, which is now 24 points.<\/p>\n * In Maryland’s Senate race, which Republicans consider a possible pick-up opportunity, Rep. Ben Cardin (D) maintains a modest lead over Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (R) in the latest Rasmussen poll<\/a>, 50% to 43%. When undecided voters leaning toward a major-party candidate are added to the tallies, the Democrat’s advantage grows to nine points, 53% to 44%. A month ago, Cardin also led by seven.<\/p>\n * Michigan’s gubernatorial race is looking more and more encouraging all the time. The latest poll<\/a> from the Detroit Free Press shows incumbent Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) with an eight-point lead over Amway heir Dick DeVos (R), 49% to 41%. In the Free Press’ last poll, conducted in August, Granholm led by two.<\/p>\n * Progress in California’s gubernatorial race is hard to find. A new Rasmussen poll<\/a> shows Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) leading challenger Phil Angelides (D), 49% to 40%. Though the incumbent has not yet reached the 50% mark in any poll this year, his nine-point lead is the biggest margin to date.<\/p>\n * Alaska’s gubernatorial race appears to be getting far more competitive. A month ago, Republican Sarah Palin led former Gov. Tony Knowles (D) by 14 points. Now, her lead has been cut in half in a new Rasmussen poll<\/a>, in which Palin leads, 47% to 40%. There is increasing grumbling in Alaska that Palin may not be up to the job.<\/p>\n