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Thursday's campaign round-up

Today's installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
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:
 
* It's very surprising, but the announcement video for entertainer Clay Aiken's congressional campaign is unexpectedly impressive. Aiken is running as a Democrat against Rep. Renee Ellmers (R) in North Carolina.
 
* In Florida, a new poll from the University of Florida shows former Gov. Charlie Crist (D) with a seven-point lead over incumbent Gov. Rick Scott (R), 47% to 40%.
 
* In Colorado, Gov. John Hickenlooper's (D) political fortunes appear to be improving. A new Quinnipiac poll shows the incumbent governor leading each of his would-be Republican rivals in hypothetical matchups, in margins ranging from 6 to 10 points.
 
* In Florida's congressional special election in the 13th district, Democrat Alex Sink isn't just facing attack ads from Republican David Jolly and the NRCC; now the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is also launching a new attack ad of its own.
 
* Conservative activist L. Brent Bozell III has a political operation known as ForAmerica, and this week, the group launched an ad campaign intended to replace the congressional Republican leadership with more conservative members.
 
* In Minnesota, Gov. Mark Dayton (D) has a new running mate as he gears up for a re-election bid: longtime chief of staff Tina Smith.
 
* And in New York, former Rep. Scott Murphy (D) has decided not to throw his hat into the ring, leaving Democrats without a top-tier candidate in the race to replace retiring Rep. Bill Owens (D).