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 Tennessee’s closely-watched Senate race a new Mason-Dixon<\/a> poll shows Bob Corker (R) with a very narrow lead over Rep. Harold Ford (D), 45% to 43%. It’s a subtle shift in Corker’s direction — the last Mason-Dixon poll showed Ford ahead by one, 43% to 42%.<\/p>\n * Florida’s gubernatorial race, which appeared to be non-competitive quite recently, is suddenly neck-and-neck. A new Quinnipiac poll<\/a> shows state Attorney General Charlie Crist (R), who led by double digits as recently as two weeks ago, ahead of Rep. Jim Davis (D) by just two points, 46% to 44%. Similarly, a yet-to-be-released Rasmussen poll will reportedly show Crist up 46% to 41%, a stunning drop in light of the 16-point lead Rasmussen showed for Crist less than a month ago.<\/p>\n * In Virginia, a new Mason-Dixon poll<\/a> offers just a little good news for Sen. George Allen (R). While last month’s poll showed him tied with Dem challenger Jim Webb at 43% each, the new poll shows him ahead by four, 47% to 43%. If the election does come down to national issues, it’s not altogether clear how the race will shake out — asked which party they would like to see run the Senate, 45% of Virginians said Democrats, while 43% said Republicans.<\/p>\n * In Connecticut, Diane Farrell’s (D) race against Rep. Chris Shays (R-Conn.) has been challenging enough, but it was complicated by Green Party candidate Richard Duffy, who has divided the left. Not wanting to be a Ralph Nader-like spoiler, Duffy dropped out<\/a> yesterday. “We don’t have a chance of winning,” Duffy said, urging voters to unseat Shays.<\/p>\n