Throughout all these scandals, one Republican has been laying low, steadily injecting himself in the national debate—and seeing his approval numbers rise. That’s why Marc Ambinder thinks a lot of other Republican presidential hopefuls have a lot to learn from Mitt Romney’s communications strategy. He’s not just lucky that every other Republican has fallen off the map—he’s worked to puth imself in a good position.The day offers some other polls, as well, including an investigation by Republicans into a strategy that attacks Nancy Pelosi over the whole CIA/waterboarding debacle and new numbers showing Arlen Specter’s popularity in decline (though he still holds a substantial lead over Rep. Joe Sestak). Specter also faces an effort by the Club for Growth that encourages former donors to ask for their money back.Obligatory but brief Mark Sanford update: He’s paying some travel money back to the state. Related: Maybe now’s not the best time for Republicans to attack Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine over his travel.Odds & Ends:
New Jersey gubernatorial hopeful Chris Chrstie gets grilled in tense congressional testimony.
Michael Jackson’s death as political conundrum: how do you praise the famous but tarnished?
Lots of money being raised in very blue Massachusetts. Are politicians quietly preparing for a post-Kennedy Senate run?
Congressional schedulers: Hey, we have a hard job, too!