Today's installment of campaign-related news items that won't necessarily generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:

* President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will hold two big campaign rallies next week -- one in Columbus, Ohio, and the other in Richmond, Va. -- as part of the official kick off of the president's re-election campaign.

* In national polling, a National Journal poll shows Obama leading Mitt Romney by eight points (47% to 39%); a DailyKos/SEIU poll shows Obama up by three (49% to 44%); and a Fox News poll shows the candidates tied at 46% each.

* In Arizona, a Rocky Mountain Poll shows Obama edging past Romney, 42% to 40%. There's increasing evidence that Arizona will be a key battleground state in 2012, despite traditionally being a "red" state.

* On the flipside, while New Mexico has been competitive in recent cycles, it looks likely to stay "blue" in 2012. A new survey from Public Policy Polling shows Obama leading Romney in the state by 14 points, 54% to 40%.

* Speaking of New Mexico, PPP also found the Democratic candidates with narrow leads over former Rep. Heather Wilson (R) in this year's U.S. Senate race.

* Part of Karl Rove's attack operation, Crossroads GSP, is launching $1.2 million in negative ads against Democratic Senate candidates in Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Virginia, and North Dakota.

* And via Joan McCarter, the pro-Obama Super PAC Priorities USA Action and the League of Conservation Voters Victory Fund are investing $1 million in Colorado and Nevada, in support of this new ad.