Here's today's run-down on the Congressional races: Democrats are running strong in some key races, thanks to the economic crisis -- but some other opportunities could be slipping away.

Senate GOP Ad Bashes Bailout Supported By Incumbent Senator, Opposed By Dem
The NRSC has this new ad in the Oregon Senate race that is strongly critical of Wall St. and Washington, then says Dem candidate Jeff Merkley would make things worse:

"Our economy in trouble, Wall St. and Washington gambling with our money, piling up more government debt," the announcer says. It should be noted here that incumbent GOP Sen. Gordon Smith voted for the bailout, and Merkley is opposing it. And then there are the two chief leaders of the GOP, George W. Bush and John McCain, who both support it.

Al Franken's Wife Talks About Alcoholism In New Ad
The Franken campaign has this new ad out presenting an image of a very human and compassionate Al Franken, at odds with the idea of a manic and angry person that the GOP has worked to project. In this spot, Franken's wife Franni talks about her struggle with alcoholism, and Al's work to help other people with this problem:

"The Al Franken I know stood by me through thick and thin," Franni Franken says. "So I know he'll always come through for Minnesotans."

Poll: Franken Way Down, Hurt By Third-Party Candidate
A new SurveyUSA poll shows Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) with a 43%-33% lead over Al Franken -- and 19% of the vote going to Independence Party candidate Dean Barkley. The internals show that Barkley is picking up 19% of Democrats and 31% of independents. With the incumbent below 50%, the data can lead one to reasonably think that Barkley is picking up a lot of people who don't like Coleman's performance, but aren't about to back Franken when a third-party alternative is offered.

Shaheen Opposes Bailout
Senate candidate Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) has come out against the Wall St. bailout, which is favored by incumbent GOPer John Sununu. Shaheen ran as very much a pro-business centrist in her failed 2002 campaign for Senate, but has been much more of an economic populist this time around.

Another Poll Shows Dole Losing Re-Election
A new Elon University poll shows Senate candidate Kay Hagan (D-NC) with a narrow 37%-35% lead over GOP Sen. Elizabeth Dole, with a ±4.6% margin of error, and 46% say it's time for somebody new. The undecided number is obviously very high in a poll that didn't push leaners too much, but the incumbent is way below 50%, and that number of people who say it's time for someone new is obviously not good news for Dole.

Poll: Freshman GOPer From Disputed Seat On His Way To Re-Election
A SurveyUSA poll shows that freshman Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), who won his seat in 2006 after Democratic complaints that voting machines may have dropped votes for his Dem opponent Christine Jennings, is easily leading Jennings in their rematch this year. The numbers: Buchanan 49%, Jennings 33%.