It has been a busy couple of days for potential Senate candidates on the Daily Rundown. On the show this morning, former Comptroller General David Walker indicated he is inching toward a run for U.S. Senate from the state of Connecticut. He told Chuck on the show that other have urged him to run, saying, "People have been asking me to run for office for many years and I'm thinking about it."

The Fall 2012 race will be for the seat of long-time Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, who announced back in January he will not seek re-election at the end of his term.

Walker added that the reason for his potential run would be the gravity of the policy decisions Washington will make in the next five years. Walker: "The fact of the matter is that decisions are made or failed to be made by our elected officials in the next 5 years are largely going to determine if our future is better than our past."

Walker headed the General Accounting Office as Comptroller General under Presidents Bush and Clinton, holding the office from 1998 to 2008. He left the GAO in 2008 to head the Peter J. Peterson Foundation as President and CEO. He recently left the Peterson Foundation to start the Comeback America Initiative, a project aimed at promoting certain fiscally responsible policy solutions.

Chaffetz in Utah 2012?

Walker wasn't the only Rundown guest this week who might show up on a Senate ballot next Fall. Conservative Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz, Republican of Utah's 3rd District, said he's a "definite maybe" for a run to challenge six-term Utah Senator Orrin Hatch. Hatch faces Tea Party opposition from the right, especially over his TARP vote that is wildly unpopular with Utah republicans.

When Chuck asked Chaffetz if he is satisfied with Hatch's moves to prove his conservative credentials, Chaffetz responded, "no I don't. That's why I'm considering running against him."

Here's Chaffetz yesterday on Rundown: 

Chaffetz's comments come as the Salt Lake Tribune reported today that the pro-business Club for Growth said they will back Chaffetz if he decides to challenge Hatch for the Republican nomination next year. If Michael Bennet's loss last cycle to conservative primary challenger Mike Lee is any indication, Chaffetz could prove a very tough match come next year.

Whether it's Chaffetz or Walker, political followers are apt to see the nascent beginnings of the Senate fields we will be following a year from now.

These courtesy of Suzanne Choney of msnbc.com:

• The American Red Cross. Using your cell phone, you can text-message donations of $10 to the agency. Text the letters REDCROSS to 90999 to make the $10 donation, or visit the organization's website.
• The International Medical Corps is putting together relief teams, as well as supplies. The organization is in "contact with partners in Japan and other affected countries to assess needs and coordinate our activities,” said Nancy Aossey, IMC president, on its website. You can donate here. Or, you can text MED to 80888 to donate $10 to emergency relief efforts.
• Save the Children is accepting donations for its Children's Emergency Fund. "We are extremely concerned for the welfare of children and their families who have been affected by the disaster. We stand ready to meet the needs of children who are always the most vulnerable in a disaster,' said Eiichi Sadamatsu of the organization in a statement. You can also text “JAPAN” or “TSUNAMI” to 20222 to donate $10.
• GlobalGiving, based in Washington, D.C., is providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami. Text JAPAN to 50555 to donate $10.
• The Salvation Army, which has had a presence in Japan since 1895. In Tokyo, the Salvation Army "opened its main building to help shelter commuters who were unable to reach home. They served hot drinks and packed meals," said a spokesperson. You can text JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888 to make a $10 donation to the Salvation Army’s relief efforts.
• Mercy Corps  is "accepting donations to help survivors of Japan's earthquake and tsunami through our longstanding partner, Peace Winds Japan." Donations will go to meeting the "immediate and longer-term needs of the survivors," a spokesperson said. You can text “MERCY” to 25383 to donate $10.
• World Vision, with a staff of 75 in Japan, focuses its relief efforts on children. Visit the website to donate, or call 1-888-56-CHILD (1-888-562-4453). You can text “4JAPAN” or “4TSUNAMI” to 20222 to donate $10.
• Doctors Without Borders, an international group, already has teams working in Japan. The groups notes it is "drawing on unrestricted donations" given to it to fund its efforts, and "we are not accepting donations specifically earmarked for the recovery efforts in Japan. We greatly appreciate your generosity and encourage your support of our work. We will continue to post updates on our homepage, Facebook and Twitter as new information becomes available." To donate, call 1-888-392-0392.
• Habitat for Humanity; donations accepted at website, or phone donations can be made by calling 1-800-HABITAT.
• The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is raising funds to help children in Japan. Donations accepted at website, or by calling 1-800-367-5437.
• AmeriCares has dispatched a disaster relief expert to the region to assess the health care needs and is prepared to send medicines, medical supplies and humanitarian aid as necessary. Phone number for donations: 203-658-9500.
• International Rescue Committee, based in New York; Phone donations to: 1-877-733-8433. The organization is "dispatching IRC relief experts from our Thailand program to Japan to see how we can assist Japanese authorities in responding to the earthquake/tsunami disaster. We recognize Japan’s significant emergency response expertise, but will offer direct technical assistance and other emergency support."
• Baptist World Alliance/Baptist World Aid. To donated by phone, call 703-790-8980.
• American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, a humanitarian assistance organization that also helped in Haiti and in countries affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami. The relief group "worked in Japan before the American entrance into World War II when the organization helped support Jewish refugees — including renowned religious leaders and yeshiva scholars — in Kobe, Japan who fled Hitler’s Europe. Today, several thousand Jews live and work in Japan." Phone: 212-687-6200.
• Catholic Relief Services is "providing assistance through our sister agency, Caritas Japan. CRS has programs in the Philippines and Indonesia and works with Caritas Oceania that is active in numerous islands in the Pacific that might be affected." For donations by phone, call 1-800-736-3467 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET.
• Adventist Development and Relief Agency can be reached at 1-800-424-2372, or text the word SUPPORT to 85944 to make a donation.
• Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, based in San Dimas, Calif., "has activated its Disaster Coordination Center in Tokyo ... Right now, Tzu Chi offices in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan sustained minor damages," but the two offices are open as service centers. To donate by phone, call 1-888-989-8244.
• The International Fund for Animal Welfare has information about efforts to save animals in Japan. To make a donation by phone, call 1-800-932-4329.
• The mGive Foundation, which helps with mobile donations, said these groups are also accepting text-based donations: Convoy of Hope, text TSUNAMI to 50555 to donate $10; World Relief Corp. of National Association of Evangelicals, text WAVE to 50555 to donate $10. "When prompted, mobile donors should reply with YES to confirm a one-time gift," the foundation says. "The $10 one-time donation will appear on the donor’s next mobile bill. All donations are tax deductible and receipts may be printed" from the mGive site. "Message and data rates may apply."
• Facebook has a Disaster Relief page with lots of good information about organizations that are offering aid, and that you can help, in turn.
• Microsoft has a Disaster Response Effort underway. "We are taking a number of steps, including ensuring the safety of our employees and their families and proactively offering customers, partners and local response agencies technical support to help ensure business continuity," the company said. (Msnbc.com is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC Universal.)

To help you make decisions about donations, the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance offers tips on "Giving to Earthquake Relief Efforts in Japan." And another good website to check is Charity Navigator, a non-profit organization that has information on more than 5,000 charities and evaluates the groups' financial health.

Live blog and live stream on msnbc.com of earthquake and tsunami's aftermath.

msnbc.com: Hundreds dead after massive quake slams Japan

A magnitude 8.9 earthquake — the biggest in modern Japanese history — slammed the island nation's eastern coast Friday, unleashing a 23-foot tsunami that swept boats, cars, buildings and tons of debris miles inland and prompting a "nuclear emergency." According to police, 200 to 300 bodies were found in the northeastern coastal city of Sendai. The death toll was likely to continue climbing given the scale of Friday's disaster.

Reuters: Huge tsunami kills hundreds in Japan, sweeps across Pacific

The biggest earthquake on record to hit Japan rocked the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-meter tsunami that killed hundreds of people and swept away everything in its path, including houses, ships and cars. The Red Cross in Geneva said the wall of water was higher than some Pacific islands and a tsunami warning was issued for almost the entire Pacific basin, although alerts were lifted for some countries, including Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand.

Japan Times: Killer Tohoku temblor tops scale

An earthquake with a historic magnitude of 8.8 rocked the Tohoku region Friday, triggering tsunami that wiped away cars, ships and buildings all along the east coast. Smoke and flames billow from a Cosmo Oil refinery in Ichihara, Chiba Prefecture, later in the afternoon following a quake-triggered explosion. The massive quake was felt strongest in Miyagi Prefecture, where it came in at 7, the maximum reading on the Japanese seismic intensity scale, the Meteorological Agency said.

Libya: An envoy for Khaddafy in Lisbon told a Portuguese newspaper Thursday morning that his regime was willing 'to begin a negotiations process for transition.' The statement, if true, is unlikely to quell rebels' demands for the Libyan leader's immediate ouster, despite sustained attacks against the resistance for the past three weeks. Former Diplomate Jamie Rubin will offer analysis of the situation on the show. (Reuters: Gaddafi Would Agree to Transition Talks)

Wisonsin: State Senate Republicans pulled a fast one on Democrats and protesters Wednesday evening. Employing the so-called "nuclear option," senate Republicans voted to limit collective bargaining rights for most public workers, sparking outrage at the Madison capitol building and beyond. The measure heads to the Wisconsin Assembly today, where it's expected to pass. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: With Democrats Absent, Republicans Advance Collective Bargaining Changes)

King Muslim Radicalization hearings: The controversy surrounding Rep. Kings's domestic terrorism hearings will stand front and center today. While King delves into the realm of 'home-grown-terrorism' (a claim he plans to substantiate with evidence), Muslims and the groups that represent them are crying foul, arguing the hearings will stoke a fresh torrent of 'Islamophobia' around the country. (New York Times: Domestic Terrorism Hearing Set to Begin)

Libya: Colonel Khaddafy continued his defiant rhetoric again Wednesday, all but daring the West to hit him with an airstrike. The embattled Libyan leader, appearing this time on Turkish television, said "..the Libyan people will take up arms" against the West were the country to be hit by an airstrike. An attack, which would be the first phase in implementing a potential a no-fly zone, would come as "proof"  that foreign states plan on stealing Libyan oil and taking "control of Libya", Khaddafy said.

Budget: Senate Maj. Leader Reid announced a deal with Republicans Tuesday to vote on two competing budgets, neither of which are expected to reach the necessary 60 votes to pass the Senate. The votes on a GOP measure to further cut spending this year by about $57 billion, and a Democratic alternative to cut spending by $6.5 billion, will take place Wednesday afternoon.

Pennsylvania fire: A truly heart wrenching story out of Pennsylvania this morning: a rural farmhouse blaze claimed the lives of seven Mennonite children, ages seven-months to 11 years old, overnight.

Discovery: And it's a historic homecoming for the space shuttle Discovery today. The shuttle, which is scheduled to land this afternoon, will be retired after travelling over 140 million miles.

Libya: The fighting continues. The story unfolding in Libya remains centered around Khaddafy's unrelenting grip on power, and his employment of all-out strategic warfare against dissenting rebels, which carried on again Tuesday morning. While the fighting is seemingly ceaseless, one lasting unforeseen consequence of this enduring civil revolt may be its impact on migrant workers: The UN estimates one million people need emergency aid as result of the ongoing crisis.

Oil: The price of oil topped $105 per barrel Monday, proving yet again that the inelastic nature of of human demand for black gold may very well be the new golden rule.

Gitmo: On CBS' 60 Minutes on November 16th, 2008, then President-Elect Barack Obama pledged "I intend to close Guantanamo, and I will follow through on that." That quote, and others, may resonate in the minds of democrats as Obama begins the 2012 election season. The President on Monday approved the resumption of military tribunals of suspected enemy combatants detained in Guantanamo, rendering any plans for Gitmo's closure tenuous in the near future.