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Monday's campaign round-up

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

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 just eight days remaining in Massachusetts' U.S. Senate special election, Rep. Ed Markey (D) is relying heavily on President Obama as part of his closing message. This new ad was unveiled over the weekend.

* On a related note, a Boston Globe poll released yesterday shows Markey leading Republican Gabriel Gomez by 13 points, 54% to 41%.

* Also note, in case campaign support from Presidents Obama and Clinton weren't enough, Vice President Biden will be in the Bay State again this week to campaign in support of Markey.

* In New Jersey, the gubernatorial race is still not a competitive contest. The latest Stockton College poll finds Gov. Chris Christie (R) with a huge lead over Barbara Buono (D), 64% to 24%.

* To the disappointment of the NRSC, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) has decided not to run for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat in 2014.

* Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) is still scrambling to put some distance between himself and his national party. Asked this morning on CNBC whether he sees himself as a "Pelosi Democrat," the senator said he's "probably" more of a "Rockefeller Republican."

* In West Virginia, Sen. Joe Manchin (D) isn't up for re-election for five years, but he's nevertheless scrambling to respond to attack ads from the NRA and is launching an ad campaign of his own. "The ad will at least match the NRA's buy," an aide to the senator said.

* And in Maine, Rep. Michael Michaud (D) has shaken up the landscape a bit, announcing that he'll take on Gov. Paul LePage (R) next year. The race for Michaud's House seat is now expected to be competitive.