Tuesday’s political round-up

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:

* A new CNN poll of New Hampshire Republicans shows Rudy Giuliani dropping fast, and Mitt Romney solidifying his lead. As of now, Romney is out in front with 33% support, followed by John McCain at 18%, and Giuliani third at 16%. In September, a CNN poll showed Romney with a one-point lead over Giuliani, 25% to 24%. In the new results, Fred Thompson has dropped all the way to sixth, behind Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee, who are running fourth and fifth, respectively. (corrected)

* A new AP poll gauged which candidates are the most likable: “On the Republican side, Giuliani gets the nod, both from GOP voters and among voters overall. None of the Democratic candidates has a clear advantage among Democratic voters, with Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards running about even. But in a sheer popularity contest, pitting the most likable Democrat vs. the best-liked Republican, it would be Obama over Giuliani, 54 percent to 46 percent.”

* Hillary Clinton told an Iowa audience yesterday that the economy is in trouble and she’s the only competitive Democrat experienced enough for the job. She added that today’s economic downturn is similar to the early 1990s: “There seems to be a pattern here. It takes a Clinton to clean up after a Bush.” Barack Obama, responding to the inexperience charge, said, “My understanding is she wasn’t Treasury secretary in the Clinton administration. I don’t know exactly what experience she’s claiming.”

* Obama is in New Hampshire today, unveiling his education plan. According to one report, the policy “calls for affordable preschool for every child, higher pay for better teachers and the option of more class time for students.”

* John Edwards criticized Clinton on Iran yesterday, telling an Iowa crowd, “I think if you defend the system in Washington, you’re for the status quo; if you want to continue the occupation in Iraq, you’re for the status quo, and if you’re not willing to stand up to Bush and Cheney on Iran, that’s the status quo.” Asked if he believes the Iranian Revolutionary Guard is a terrorist organization, Edwards hedged, but said he would have voted against the Kyl-Lieberman amendment.

* Fresh off his new TV ad featuring Chuck Norris, Mike Huckabee is now touting an endorsement from wrestler Ric Flair: “CNN has learned the WWE wrestler is on board with Huckabee, and will co-host a campaign tailgate with the candidate at the South Carolina vs. Clemson football game on Saturday afternoon in Columbia, South Carolina.”

* In New Mexico, Rep. Tom Udall (D) is officially a candidate for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat. In the first poll with him in the mix, Udall leads his Democratic primary opponent, Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez, 62% to 32%.

* Michelle Obama will be a guest host on the television talk show “The View” next month. The appearance is scheduled for December 5th.

* Apparently, corruption scandals aren’t helpful for approval ratings: in Alaska, Sen. Ted Stevens (R) and Rep. Don Young (R) have both seen their support plummet. Steven’s ratings have dropped to 44%, while Young’s positive numbers have dropped to 34%.

* In Missouri, Dems got some good news yesterday when a new poll showed state Attorney General Jay Nixon leading incumbent Gov. Matt Blunt (R) in a hypothetical match-up, 51% to 42%. The same poll showed that a majority of Missourians have an unfavorable opinion of Blunt.

* Save the dates: the Commission on Presidential Debates has announced the debate dates and sites for next year’s presidential general election. The first debate will on Sept. 26 at the University of Mississippi; the VP debate will be on Oct. 2 at Washington University in St. Louis; the second presidential debate will on Oct. 7 at Belmont University in Nashville; and the third presidential debate will on Oct. 15 at Hofstra University. The schedule was disappointing to New Orleans, which lobbied for one of the four slots.