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.

* Two months before Massachusetts' special election Senate primaries, state Attorney General Martha Coakley (D) released a poll showing her with a wide lead. Coakley currently enjoys 47% in the multi-candidate primary field, while Rep. Michael Capuano (D) is a distant second with 12%.

* Despite his humiliating sex scandal, Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) looks relatively strong in his re-election prospects. The latest Rasmussen poll shows Vitter leading Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-La.) by 10, 46% to 36%.

* NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas) believes there are only five House Republican incumbents who are vulnerable in 2010. That's probably true, but it's because the GOP lost so many other seats in the last couple of election cycles. The House Republican caucus is down to just 177 members. Of course it won't have many vulnerable incumbents left.

* There's growing discontent among far-right Republicans about his Senate campaign, but Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) continues to be a powerhouse when it comes to fundraising.

* In California, a new Field Poll shows Meg Whitman and Tom Campbell in a dead heat in the Republican gubernatorial primary.

* According to the latest Public Policy Polling survey, Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) continues to have a low approval rating (36%), but nevertheless enjoys double-digit leads over his potential Democratic challengers.

* And in case there are any doubts about Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty's (R) presidential plans, he announced this week that he'll headline an Iowa Republican party event in November.