IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Wednesday'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:

* Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) announced his support this morning for Mitt Romney's presidential campaign, and urged the party to rally behind Romney's Etch A Sketch leadership.

* Despite having strongly opposed the Romney campaign for months, the right-wing FreedomWorks group is dropping its opposition to the former governor, apparently in recognition of the prevailing GOP winds.

* In Virginia, Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) still enjoys a fairly strong 53% approval rating, but it's down sharply over the last month, especially among women, after he became Gov. Ultrasound.

* Rick Santorum raised $9 million in February, which is quite good for his underfunded campaign, but he's still spending to keep up and has only $2.6 million in cash on hand.

* Newt Gingrich, meanwhile, raised about $2.6 million in February, but spent about $2.8 million. He now has more debt than cash on hand.

* On a related note, Gingrich argued this morning that Santorum's second-place finish in Illinois means the right should give Gingrich another look. The former Speaker finished a distant fourth in the state.

* In Arizona, Ron Barber, a former Gabrielle Giffords aide, is running in the special election to fill her vacant seat, and announced this week he will also seek a full term in November.

* And in New Jersey, the latest Fairleigh Dickinson University poll shows Sen. Bob Menendez (D) struggling against a generic opponent, but defeating his announced Republican challenger, Joe Kyrillos, by 10 points.