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:

* As we draw closer to the point at which Mitt Romney announces a running mate, Republican media outlets are becoming increasingly assertive in giving the candidate advice. The Wall Street Journal editorial page is pushing House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan.

* In response to the falsehoods in Romney's welfare attack ad, the Obama campaign released this video. Note: this appears to be a web video, not an ad intended for broadcast.

* In Wisconsin, the latest Quinnipiac/New York Times/CBS poll shows Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D) tied with former Tommy Thompson (R) at 47% each. Baldwin fares better against Mark Neumann and Eric Hovde, who are competing against Thompson in a GOP primary that's just a few days away.

* Speaking of Wisconsin, the latest Marquette University Law School poll shows Thompson leading the Republican field with 33% support, followed by Eric Hovde (R) at 24%, Mark Neumann (R) at 21%, and Jeff Fitzgerald (R) at 15%.

* In Arizona, Mark Kelly, husband of former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D), hasn't been too engaged in partisan politics, but yesterday, he threw his support to Richard Carmona's U.S. Senate campaign.

* A day after Missouri Republicans nominated unhinged Rep. Todd Akin (R) as their U.S. Senate candidate, former Sen. John Danforth (R-Mo.), a relative moderate, was asked if Akin could appeal to voters outside the GOP base. "I just don't know," Danforth said.

* And in Iowa, Democrats and their allies still believe right-wing Rep. Steve King (R) is vulnerable this year, and AFSCME, SEIU, and House Majority PAC announced this morning they will pool their resources to make a $400,000, four-week ad buy against the incumbent. King is running against former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack.