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Thursday'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:

* As Rachel noted on the show last night, former President George H. W. Bush is throwing his support to Mitt Romney, following endorsements from Barbara Bush and Jeb Bush.

* In Ohio, a new Quinnipiac poll shows incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) leading state Treasurer Josh Mandel (R) by 10 points, 46% to 36%.

* In Florida, home to another closely-watched Senate race, another Quinnipiac poll shows incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson (D) leading Rep. Rep. Connie Mack IV (R) by eight, 44% to 36%.

* In 2008, Barack Obama was easily defeated in Nebraska, except for the state's 2nd congressional district, which backed the Democrat and increased Obama's electoral-vote total to 365. Could the president win that same electoral vote again? PPP shows it's a real possibility.

* Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R) defunct presidential campaign is still burdened by significant debt, but Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) will help her raise money to retire the debt.

* It's hard to say what the state of Republican presidential nominating race will be in early May, but in North Carolina, PPP shows Romney and Rick Santorum tied at 30% each.

* A new poll in Michigan shows Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D) leading former Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R) by just five points.

* And in Missouri, where Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) is facing a tough re-election fight, VoteVets.org is launching a six-figure ad buy, touting the senator's support for veterans' issues.