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Friday's campaign round-up

<p>Today's installment of campaign-related news items that won't necessarily generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to

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:

* A new national poll from the Pew Research Center shows President Obama leading Mitt Romney, 50% to 43%. In the 12 most competitive states, Obama's lead is 51% to 44%.

* The Romney campaign released another ad this morning pushing back against the onslaught of damaging Bain Capital reports, while the Obama campaign releases a new video that highlights yesterday's revelations.

* At a fundraiser where he helped Romney raise $4 million, Dick Cheney said the Republican is "the kind of individual I want in the Oval Office" to deal with foreign affairs. That's actually a scary idea.

* In Texas' increasingly-interesting Republican U.S. Senate primary, PPP now shows former state Solicitor General Ted Cruz leading Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, 49% to 44%.

* In North Carolina's gubernatorial race, PPP shows Pat McCrory (R) leading Walter Dalton (D) by seven points, 43% to 36%. McCrory benefits from higher name recognition and Dalton's underwhelming support from his own party.

* At this point, it's no longer a question whether former Maine Gov. Angus King (I) will win this year's Senate race, but rather, by how much. (Of course, the other question is which party King might caucus with next year.)

* In Florida's closely-watched U.S. Senate race, a new Mason-Dixon poll shows incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson (D) leading Rep. Connie Mack IV (R) by five points, 47% to 42%.

* Does Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) expect to be Majority Leader in January? He still puts his odds at "50-50."