Associated Press
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:
* In Florida, Gov. Rick Scott's (R) approval rating in a new Public Policy Polling survey is down to just 33% -- and the poll was conducted before the dog story came out. In hypothetical match-ups, Scott trails several Democrats, including a 14-point gap against former Gov. Charlie Crist.
* Speaking of Florida, former Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) has ruled out a 2014 comeback, telling the Palm Beach Post yesterday, "If all you want to know is if I am running for congressional district 18, the answer is no. My sights and objectives, political and otherwise, are focused on something far greater." West has started an Internet television show.
* After checking with his ex-wife first to make sure she wouldn't run, former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) officially kicked off his congressional campaign yesterday. He's running for the seat held last year by Tim Scott, who recently replaced Jim DeMint in the Senate.
* In Massachusetts, Rep. Michael Capuano (D) has decided not to run for John Kerry's Senate seat, further cementing Rep. Ed Markey (D) as the party's leading choice in the upcoming special election.
* Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) is generally considered one of the more vulnerable Democratic incumbents in the 2014 cycle, but the latest PPP poll shows her leading likely Republican challengers by narrow margins.
* For all the talk about Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R) vulnerabilities in Kentucky next year, few Democrats seem eager to take him on. State Attorney General Jack Conway (D) passed on the race this week, eyeing the 2015 gubernatorial race instead. And what of actor Ashley Judd? She's reportedly more interested in running against Sen. Rand Paul.
* And in Idaho, Gov. Butch Otter (R) has not yet said whether he'll seek another term, but Reps. Raul Labrador (R) and Mike Simpson (R) are both eyeing the race, and to put it mildly, it's generating some tension between them (thanks to R.M. for the tip).
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Please! Somebody run against him! (McConnell) I'm retiring this year and will support whoever runs
Hmmm, sounds like Allen West may be thinking about a Presidential run in 2016. We should all encourage him in pursuing his "far greater" objectives. Allen West / Glenn Beck 2016!
Ah, yes. Allen West and Glenn Beck, two wing-nuts too crazy to make it in the mainstream, so now they've landed on Internet TV, that last bastion of the failed and foolish. Maybe they can join up, put together an act and take their show on the road. Isn't there a CPAC event or NRA convention somewhere that would love to feature them?
You know why Al Gore sold Current TV to Al Jezera? Because he refused to sell it to Glen Beck.
http://www.ibtimes.com/glenn-beck-claims-he-made-offer-buy-al-gores-current-tv-network-was-shut-out-1010382
I'm actually glad that Al Jazeera bought it. The times I've seen any of their news clips, there was more plausible and useful information than you see on our major network news. I suspect that the attempt to paint them as an arm of Islamic terrorist organizations was done out of fear that they'd show up our mainstream media.
Markey has residency issues that resonate with voters. The Democrats better come up with someone else or Scottie will be back
Unlike, say, former Senator Lugar, Rep. Markey maintains a home in his district. If the former Playgirl centerfold wants to be humiliated again by introducing non-relevant issues, that's his choice.
Why do I have this awful image of Sanford and Vitter comparing notes in the cloak room?
FL really lost a good man in Gov. Charlie Crist. Rick Scott is a truly incompetent, hateful person. He's done great harm to Floridians.
As for Mitch McConnell: PLEASE Ashley Judd, run against him! PLEASE!
My husband is especially eager to see her run........hmm......this man has always been so apolitical and uninterested in politics....hmmm.
In Idaho, with Mr. Otter and Mr Labrador both possibly in the race, how about Mr Raccoon or Miss Piggy?