Here's today's rundown on the Congressional races: It's shaping up to be a pretty good day for the Dems, with good poll results and new lines of attack emerging against their Republican opponents in key races.

Conservative Drops Out In Race For Fossella's Seat -- Could Vito Come Back?
Paul Atanasio, the New York Conservative Party's candidate for the open seat of scandal plagued Rep. Vito Fossella, has dropped out of the race via a nomination for a judgeship. This method of withdrawal allows the party to replace him on the ballot with a new candidate -- creating the small possibility that Fossella himself, who is said to be looking at a way to get back into the race, could re-enter on the Conservative line. We'll be looking into this further.

Shaheen Goes After Sununu on Stem Cells, Wall Street
Dem Senate candidate Jeanne Shaheen is stepping up attacks on incumbent Sen. John Sununu (R-NH). Shaheen is hitting Sununu on the financial crisis, blaming the lack of federal oversight and Sununu's lack of leadership on the Senate Banking Committee, and next week she'll be campaigning with Michael J. Fox for increased federal funding for stem-cell research.

Poll: GOP Sen. Smith Barely Ahead In Oregon
A new survey from Oregon pollster Tim Hibbitts shows Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR) just barely edging out Dem Jeff Merkley by 42%-39%, with a very high undecided number. A Rasmussen poll yesterday also put Smith barely ahead, and the race is so close that he's felt the need to run attack ads saying Merkley coddles child rapists.

Poll: Dem Way Ahead In New Mexico Senate Race
A new SurveyUSA poll in the New Mexico Senate race with Rep. Tom Udall (D) a healthy 56%-41% lead over Rep. Steve Pearce (R) for this open GOP-held seat. Other polls have shown this race getting somewhat closer, but it appears that Udall is still on track for a win here.

Begich Dumps Donation From Rangel
Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (D) is donating to charity the $10,000 he received from Rep. Charlie Rangel's (D-NY) PAC. Begich was given the donation weeks before allegations of Rangel's possible ethical violations, and hopes to avoid the uncomfortable situation of facing ethical questions while he's running against indicted GOP Sen. Ted Stevens.

Dem Ad Hits Ted Stevens On Car Deal
The DSCC has this funny radio ad in the Alaska Senate race, going after Ted Stevens for having traded his old car for a much more expensive new model, thanks to the assistance of a shady businessman:

"The Land Rover, now!" the Stevens caricature in the ad insists to the car salesman.

Dem Ad Hits Schaffer On Big Oil Ties
The DSCC also has this TV ad running in the Colorado Senate race, hitting Republican candidate Bob Schaffer for his experience as an oil executive -- a big issue in a time when gas prices are at such high levels:

"That's the fun part," Schaffer is repeatedly quoted saying, in describing his time in the oil business.