Discover GOP Opprobrium

[teapeebubbles]

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.

* Left with no other choice, and after having been turned down by other sought-after candidates, the National Republican Senatorial Committee broke down yesterday and got behind former Rep. Pat Toomey's Senate campaign in Pennsylvania.

* Sen. Arlen Specter's fundraising looks strong, but not overwhelming. He took in $1.73 million in the second quarter and has about $7.5 million in cash on hand.

* Can Joe Sestak beat Specter in a Democratic primary next year? Sen. Bob Casey (D) thinks he can.

* In Nevada, polls show Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) with tepid support for re-election, but his fundraising is still looking strong, raising $3.25 million in the second quarter. He does not yet have a credible Republican challenger.

* If New York Gov. David Paterson (D) is planning to seek a second term, he's going to have to pick up the fundraising pace.*

* Rep. Mike Castle (R) is expected to launch a Senate campaign next year, but his fundraising doesn't reflect preparation for a big campaign -- he only raised $125,000 in the second quarter.

* While Charlie Crist enjoys support from the Republican establishment, Marco Rubio continues to pick up right-wing support for his Senate campaign in Florida. Rubio's latest endorsement is from Dick Armey.

* Next year's gubernatorial race in Tennessee is wide open.

* So is next year's gubernatorial race in South Carolina.

* And in California yesterday, Democrat Judy Chu won a special election to the U.S. House, succeeding Hilda Solis, who left the House to become Labor Secretary.