Here's tonight's run-down on the Congressional races: The GOP may be panicking in the face of more poll numbers showing serious losses from the economic crisis, with a new round of nasty attack ads against the Dem candidates.

Another Poll Shows GOP Sen. Dole Losing Re-Election
The new survey from Public Policy Polling (D) shows Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) trailing her Dem opponent Kay Hagan by a 46%-38% margin. PPP has tended to be the most favorable for Hagan, but even this lead is the widest one they've registered yet -- and on top of that, they've received corroboration from Rasmussen polls showing a narrow Hagan lead.

GOP Ad: Dem Challenger Is So Irresponsible, She Should Be On Wall St.
The NRSC is trying to make the economic crisis work for them in an odd place: The North Carolina Senate race, where economic anxiety has put incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R) behind Dem challenger Kay Hagan in the polls:

"Balanced? That's a hoax -- Hagan just borrowed the money," the announcer says. "Maybe Hagan should skip Washington -- and go straight to Wall St."

One is reminded of a line from the fictionalized Pappy O'Daniel in O Brother, Where Art Thou?: "How we gonna run reform when we're the damn incumbent?"

Mitch McConnell's Re-Election Chances Falling
Stuart Rothenberg has downgraded the re-election chances of Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (KY), citing polls that have shown McConnell with barely any lead at all against Dem businessman Bruce Lunsford. The race is now rated "Narrow Advantage" after having previously been "Clear Advantage" for McConnell -- and Rothenberg adds, "we would not argue with anyone who rated the contest as a Toss-Up."

GOP Ad: Al Franken Is Angry And Unstable
The NRSC has a new ad out that attacks Al Franken as being an angry, swearing, porn-loving maniac:

"Too far?" the announcer says. "Jokes about rape, columns of pornography, profanity laced tirades, physically attacking a heckler? ... With Al Franken, it isn't outrage -- its just anger."

Poll: GOPer Mario Diaz-Balart Barely Ahead For Re-Election
A new Research 2000 poll shows Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) with only a narrow 45%-41% lead over Democratic candidate Joe Garcia. This heavily Cuban-American district is normally a lock for the Republicans, but it looks like it's a real race this year.

Freshman Dem in Deep Red PA District Looks To Hold Seat
A new Lycoming College poll shows that freshman Rep. Chris Carney (D-PA) is leading challenger Chris Hackett (R) by a margin of 46%-36%. Carney won this deep-red district in 2006 only because of the Republican incumbent's massive personal moral scandals, but now looks like he's safe to hold on this year.

Dem Candidate Brings Back Little Daisy
This ad is hysterical. Colleen Callaghan, the Dem running for the deep-red district of retiring Rep. Ray LaHood (R-IL) has resurrected the infamous "Little Daisy" spot against her opponent, warning of nuclear war:

"Nuclear weapons can destroy life on our planet," the announcer says. "Aaron Shock said we should sell nuclear weapons to Taiwan."