Interesting tid-bits and links from the campaign trail...

Key booster of newly minted Florida Independent Charlie Crist arrested for fraud (Fox News)

The former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida -- an ally of now independent Gov. Charlie Crist -- was arrested Wednesday for allegedly running a scam bilking money from the party.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement took Jim Greer into custody Wednesday at his Orlando-area home. The 47-year-old has been charged with six counts of organized scheme to defraud, four counts of felony grand theft and one count of money laundering. ...

Insofar as it complicates Crist's race for the Senate, it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

Democrats fall to a historic low in the Gallup Poll (Michael Barone)

Wow! The Gallup organization reports that on the generic ballot question—which party’s candidate would you vote for in Congress—Republicans currently lead Democrats 49%-43%. That’s the biggest Republican lead since Gallup began asking the question in 1950—and in fact Republicans have seldom been ahead in those 60 years. More bad news for the Democrats: 39% of Republicans say they’re enthusiastic about voting, compared to 25% of Independents and 24% of Democrats.

From 'round the sphere...

Obama is good for business

Yes, you read that headline correctly.  Of course, what KIND of business is another matter.  In Obama's case, he's good for the lobbying business.  2009 reports from K Street (DC's lobbying district) show big gains, some on the order of 40% over 2008.

Bottom line?  When you work to have government take greater control of various aspects of business and our daily lives you increase the odds that citizens (whether on an individual or corporate basis) will fight back.  And (at least until November) that involves lobbying.

GOP Recruiting picks up speed

What a difference one election makes.  In the wake of this week's election in Massachusetts, the NRCC says their candidate recruitment has picked up considerably.  And, as you can imagine, they're now having an easier time getting good potential challengers to take a serious look at challening some previously "un-challengable" Democrats, (you know, the Massachusetts variety).

Obama to campaign for Reed

You really have to love this.  After going 0 for 3 in the past few months, (Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts), Obama is going to hit the campaign trail for Harry Reid (who is wayyyyyy down in the polls in Nevada right now).  read more »