Bagels and Ballots – Wednesday
-Reading Rahm: White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is still playing out the possibility of running to become Chicago’s first Jewish mayor. A recent poll of his own gave Rahmbo a 14-point lead against possible challengers. (NBC)
-Oy, Pennsylvania: At a Pennsylvania fundraiser, Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak, who is running against Republican former congressman Pat Toomey for Pennsylvania’s Senate seat, introduced Barack Obama with some yid-laced words — though neither is Jewish: Sestak called Obama a “warrior, who is truly a leader in that mission of Tikkun Olam,” using the Hebrew term meaning “repairing the world.” (Mitzvote)
-Big Guns: Michelle Obama announced that she’ll campaign for Democrats in a few of the races we’re watching: Senator Barbara Boxer of California; Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin; Alexi Giannoulias, running for senate in Obama’s home state of Illinois; and Dan Seals, who is fighting to become Chicago’s man in the House. And the appearances may leave their beneficiaries seeing green — the last time she spoke at a big DNC event, which happened to be woman-focused, the event brought in over $1 million. (Politico)
-In the Nick of Time?: The First Lady’s assist comes just in time for Feingold. According to a Public Policy Polling survey, his opponent Ron Johnson now has a double-digit lead — and the Daily Kos chalks it up to the much-discussed enthusiasm gap and a “decisive primary.” (The Daily Kos)
–Carl Paladino, Tea Partier and New York’s Republican gubernatorial candidate, says he “condemn[s]” his earlier comparison of New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to Hitler. Meanwhile, the New York Daily News’ Celeste Katz predicts that an endorsement from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is very likely for Paladino’s opponent Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo could use a boost, as a Quinnipiac poll released today shows his challenger only six points behind.
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