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Tuesday'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:

* With Republican attack ads going after vulnerable Democrats for "cutting" Medicare, Dems are pushing back with a new ad featuring a credible voice: former President Bill Clinton. Rep. Bruce Braley (D) is running this spot in Iowa.

* On a related note, Clinton will be in Florida today and tomorrow, campaigning in support of President Obama.

* Michigan is not on the list of states being "carpet-bombed" by Romney campaign television ads, but Republican officials insist they intend to keep Michigan in play by relying on an effective ground game.

* The dropout deadline is still two weeks away in Missouri, but Senate hopeful Todd Akin (R) insists he's "totally in" and "very encouraged" by his current standing.

* Karl Rove's attack operation, Crossroads GPS, launched a new round of anti-Democratic ads in key Senate races this morning, making a $2.6 million ad buy in Nevada, Ohio, and Virginia.

* Former Gov. Angus King (I) appears to be cruising to an easy win in Maine's open U.S. Senate race, but he's still hitting the airwaves, unveiling his first television ad of the year. Not surprisingly, it's a positive spot, touting King as "a leader ... who thinks independently."

* On a related note, Maine Republicans, still hoping to hold onto the seat, have begun talking up Democratic state Sen. Cynthia Dill (D), hoping that she and King will split the mainstream vote and boost Republican Secretary of State Charlie Summers' chances.

* And in Maryland, Democratic congressional candidate Wendy Rosen has been forced to withdraw after getting caught voting in both Florida and Maryland in two election cycles. Rosen was challenging Rep. Andy Harris (R) in Maryland's 1st congressional district.