Friday's Campaign Round-Up, 10.21.16

Today's installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.* Jim Murphy, the national political director for Donald Trump's campaign, announced yesterday's "stepping back" from his role in the operation, citing "personal reasons."* The Al Smith Dinner in New York is supposed to be an opportunity for presidential candidates to show some humor and humility, and somehow, Donald Trump managed to screw it up.* Twice yesterday, Trump walked away from interviews with local television stations in Ohio because he didn't like the direction of the questions.* Speaking of Ohio, the latest Suffolk poll found Trump tied with Hillary Clinton in the Buckeye State, with each garnering 45% support in a four-way contest.* Former RNC Chairman Michael Steele, now an MSNBC analyst, said yesterday he will not vote for Trump. Steele is the third former RNC chair to make that announcement this year.* In Georgia, a new Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll shows Trump ahead by just two points over Clinton, 44% to 42%. Republicans have won Georgia with relative ease in each of the last five cycles.* In Virginia, the latest poll from the Wason Center for Public Policy at Newport University shows Clinton cruising in the commonwealth, leading Trump, 45% to 33%.* With his popularity on the rise, President Obama has recorded "a remarkable number of personalized television commercials for down-ballot Democrats to air across the country during the next two weeks," helping practically any congressional candidate who asks for his assistance.* And sounding very much like a person trying to put a positive spin on failure, Donald Trump Jr. said this week that the presidency would be a "step down" for his father.