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 primaries in Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, and the state of Washington today, the marque match-up is arguably the three-way Republican U.S. Senate primary in Missouri.
* Also keep an eye on the vote on the dubious religious-rights measure, Measure 2, in the Show Me State.
* The focus on Mitt Romney's Bain Capital background isn't over -- Priorities USA Action launched this hard-hitting spot this morning, featuring a former steel worker and widower.
* Karl Rove's attack operation, Crossroads GPS, is launching a $7.2 million ad blitz today in five states: Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nevada, and Virginia. The ads are targeting key Senate races, not the presidential campaign.
* At a Connecticut fundraiser last night, President Obama continued to focus on Mitt Romney's tax plan, which independent economists believe will raise taxes on the middle class, in order to financed tax breaks for the rich. "It's like Robin Hood in reverse – it's Romney Hood," Obama told supporters.
* The latest KING 5 poll in the state of Washington shows former Rep. Jay Inslee (D) taking a narrow lead over state Attorney General Rob McKenna (R), 48% to 45%, in this year's gubernatorial race. Earlier in the year, a KING 5 poll showed McKenna up by 10 (thanks to reader T.K. for the tip).
* A Republican congressional candidate this week equated President Obama with "Stalin, Hitler, [and] Mao Tse Tung." The candidate, Marisha Agana, later refused to apologize.
* And in case there were any lingering doubts about Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley's (D) presidential ambitions, the governor and former Baltimore mayor will be the special guest at the 35th annual Tom Harkin Steak Fry in Iowa next month.