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:
* VoteVets.org is launching this tough new ad this week, slamming congressional Republicans for shutting down the federal government. It’s part of a $100,000 initial ad buy, which will run on national cable outlets.
* In Virginia’s gubernatorial race, a new Quinnipiac poll shows Terry McAuliffe (D) leading Ken Cuccinelli (R) by eight points, 47% to 39%.
* Public Policy Polling now shows Democrats with a five-point advantage on the generic congressional ballot, 46% to 41%. Among self-identified independents, Dems’ lead over Republicans is now nine points, 42% to 33%.
* Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA) told Roll Call that House Republicans are “absolutely” prepared to lose their majority in pursuit of their government-shutdown and debt-ceiling goals. File this quote away for future use.
* Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-Fla.) announced yesterday he will retire at the end of this Congress. It creates an important Democratic pick-up opportunity — President Obama won Young’s 13th district last year, suggesting the seat will very likely be in play. * In New Jersey’s U.S. Senate special election, with less than a week to go, a Stockton Polling Institute poll shows Cory Booker (D) leading Steve Lonegan (R) by 11, 50% to 39%. * And in Utah, Sen. Mike Lee’s (R) role as a ringleader for the government shutdown hasn’t helped his standing back home. A poll from Brigham Young University shows a 51% majority of Utahans disapprove of Lee, and an even larger 57% majority want the far-right senator to be more willing to compromise.
Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MS NOW political contributor. He's also the bestselling author of "Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past." Recommended
