The New Jersey Republican gubernatorial primary heats up: “Republican gubernatorial candidate Christopher Christie is starting to flex his conservative credentials and endorsements, so he’s using surrogates to drive that message home.  Republicans began received robo calls today with a message recorded by former Jersey City Mayor Bret Schundler, who was the darling of conservative Republicans when he won the 2001 gubernatorial primary.”

The Virginia gubernatorial candidate can breathe a sigh of relief as the state party selects a replacement for the controversial party chairman Jeff Frederick who was dumped last month.

But what has him likely grinning ear-to-ear is the Washington Post’s take-down of probable opponent Terry McAuliffe: “He is a dealmaker who made millions from investments. And many of his biggest deals came in partnership with prominent donors and politicians, creating a portrait over the years of a Washington insider who got rich as he rose to power within the Democratic Party. McAuliffe is, at his core, a salesman — and even called himself a “huckster” in his autobiography. In his bid for governor this year, McAuliffe is selling the idea that his uncanny knack for making money can bring prosperity to all Virginia. But at a time when public mistrust of millionaires and politicians is high, that strategy could backfire.” Ouch.

Florida may see a blockbuster GOP senate primary between Gov. Charlie Crist and telegenic state speaker Marco Rubio.

And in Pennsylvania, Joe Sestak doesn’t sound like he’s bowing out to make room for Arlen Specter. Meanwhile, Tom Ridge is thinking of challenging Pat Toomey, whose favorables among Pennsylvania Republicans are “outstanding.”

Remember that Harry Reid deal to let Specter keep his seniority? Not so fast. “Under pressure, Reid now says it will be up to the Democratic caucus to determine whether to recognize Specter’s 28 1/2 years of seniority.” Something tells me Democrats are pleased but not that grateful to have Specter. There is a measure of irony: the caucus will vote by secret ballot because the secret ballot is a sacred thing, you know.

The bonus-receiving union-busters at the New York Times relent temporarily: “Citing progress in negotiations, New York Times Co. gave unions representing employees of its Boston Globe newspaper two more days to agree to $20 million in concessions to save the paper from closure.”

Looks like the UAW got 55% of one big mess: “Pressure mounted on Chrysler LLC as the auto maker was forced to idle four plants and its dealers scrambled to find new sources of credit a day after the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.The developments sparked fresh questions about Chrysler’s prospects for quickly exiting from bankruptcy protection and about the web of suppliers and dealers that are linked to the company. The plants were idled after suppliers halted shipments, while dealers were squeezed when Chrysler Financial stopped providing cut-rate loans.”

The National Council for a New America starts the GOP revival tour looking for new ideas. For Mitt Romney this is free exposure and campaign time with the base, just in case he might possibly consider a 2012 run, of course.