Here's tonight's run-down on the Congressional races: The Democrats are aggressively exploiting the political opportunities presented by the economic crisis -- while the Republicans are running in the other direction as they watch their numbers fall.

Mitch McConnell Turning Down Debates
Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (KY), who has found himself in some uncomfortably close polls against Dem businessman Bruce Lunsford, is refusing to debate. The campaign has rejected an invitation from the League of Women Voters and has not responded to one from Kentucky Educational Television, saying only that they'll hold a debate with the Paducah Sun in late October.

Dems Launch Ads About Social Security Privatization And Wall St.
The DCCC has a whole new wave of ads running in Pennsylvania and Indiana about Social Security -- and specifically, what would be happening if Social SEcurity were tied to the stock market in the middle of the banking crisis. Here's one of them in Pennsylvania:

"Barletta wanted to follow Bush right into this mess," the announcer says. "And with the markets in free-fall, where would our safety net be now?"

Dem Ad Ties GOP Rep To Golden Parachutes
The new DCCC ad in Nevada goes after incumbent Rep. Jon Porter (R) and the financial crisis:

"Porter took over $380,000 from financial interests, and voted against cracking down on CEOS who cash in with golden parachutes," the announcer says. "Whoever Porter is helping in this financial crisis, it probably isn't you."

Poll: GOP Senator From Georgia Barely Ahead Of Dem
A new SurveyUSA poll of Georgia gives Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R) a bare 46%-44% lead over Dem challenger Jim Martin, within the ±3.8% margin of error, a sign that that the economy may be giving Dems a real shot at what should be a safe Republican seat. A caveat: The internals of this poll have a rater odd reverse gender gap -- women favor Chambliss, men vote for Martin -- raising some suspicion that the whole poll itself may be off.

Dem Ad Attacks Ted Stevens For Yet Another Scandal
The DSCC has a new ad against Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK), tearing into him for securing a $468 million contract for a firm represented by his brother-in-law:

An interesting move on the Dems' part is to bring up John McCain's denunciation of the deal as corrupt. Everybody assumes the McCain-Palin ticket will carry Alaska handily -- so for the Dems to win the two big Congressional races here, they're aggressively courting McCain voters to split their tickets.

Poll: Freshman Dem Who Barely Won In 2006 Way Ahead This Time
A new University of Connecticut poll gives freshman Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) an overwhelming lead of 50%-23% over GOP opponent Sean Sullivan. Courtney was elected in 2006 by a margin of only 91 votes out of over 240,000 cast, but it doesn't look like he has anything to worry about this year.

House GOP Ad Hits Dem For Taking Money From Rangel
The NRCC is making their best attempt at seizing the ethics narrative, with this new ad attacking freshman Rep. Steve Kagen (D-WI) for having accepted donations from Charlie Rangel, who since those donations were made has been caught up in his own financial scandals:

"End the corruption, kick out Kagen," the announcer says.