Here's today's run-down on the Congressional races: With GOPers scrambling to staunch the political bleeding amid the meltdown, all signs point to Dems gaining in multiple down-ticket races.

Bachmann Blames Loans To Minorities For Financial Crisis
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) is laying the blame for the financial crisis on loans made to minorities, saying in a hearing that the Clinton Administration encouraged the granting of mortgages "on the basis of race and often on little else." Roll Call reports that Bachmann stepped back from her comment just a bit, saying that the policies were "well-intentioned."

Cheney Cancels Campaign Stop For House Candidate, Citing Economic Crisis
Vice President Cheney has canceled a scheduled campaign stop today for Ed Tinsley, the Republican nominee or an open GOP-held House seat in New Mexico, and is instead staying in Washington to assist in negotiations on the financial bailout.

Another Poll Shows Gordon Smith Losing
A new Research 2000 poll of Oregon shows Sen. Gordon Smith (R) trailing Democrat Jeff Merkley by a 45%-40% margin, corroborating an earlier SurveyUSA poll that gave Merkley a 44%-42% lead. Smith has been hit lately by a combination of the bad economy becoming an issue, and by news reports that his family business employs illegal immigrants.

Polls: Dem Shaheen Ahead Of GOP Sen. Sununu
Two new polls in New Hampshire show former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D ) leading incumbent Sen. John Sununu (R). A Research 2000 poll shows a wide 50%-41% lead, but a Suffolk poll shows a tighter 41%-40% lead. An earlier Rasmussen poll this week showed Sununu having a 52%-45% lead.

Poll Gives New Hampshire's House Dems The Lead
The new Research 2000 poll in New Hampshire shows Rep. Carol Shea-Porter narrowly leading former Rep. Jeb Bradley (R), in a rematch of the 2006 race when Shea-Porter beat Bradley in a huge upset, with a razor-thing 44%-43% lead. In the state's other House district, freshman Rep. Paul Hodes (D) is leading challenger Jennifer Horn (R) with a wider 47%-34% lead. A recent University of New Hampshire poll showed Shea-Porter trailing Bradley by a 45%-42% margin.

GOP Candidate's Ad: Landrieu Louisiana's Most Liberal Senator Ever
This new ad from John Kennedy, the Republican nominee against Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) makes the claim that Landrieu is the state's most liberal Senator ever:

The ad does two interesting things: It seems to honor Sen. Judah Benjamin, who went on to become a Confederate cabinet officer and then lived the rest of his life in hiding under an assumed name. Second, the ad's claim of Landrieu being the most liberal Senator ever is a bit difficult in a state that was represented by Huey Long, a socialist demagogue.

"If Mary Landrieu wants to debate 'who's more liberal' after voting with Barack Obama 81 percent of the time, championing a sham energy bill - now DOA - opposed by EVERY SINGLE neighboring gulf state senator and standing on the wrong side of the DC gun ban, she is free to do so," said Kennedy spokesman Lenny Alcivar. "Only in Washington do liberals intellectualize the meaning of 'liberal.'" Alcivar refused to comment on the issue of Judah Benjamin.