Veterans Group To McConnell: Take Down Ad That Uses Our Name
The Military Order of the Purple Heart is demanding that the campaign of Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell pull an ad in which a McConnell supporter identifies himself as a member of the organization and appears to speak on its behalf:

"I am a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the official organization of combat-wounded veterans," says Lee Moore. "Our veterans demand an investigation into the negligent care that Bruce Lunsford's clinics provided." Moore then goes on to accuse Lunsford of manipulating an 83-year old veteran who appeared in a Lunsford ad defending the candidate. Lee Moore is not a spokesman for the group, and furthermore its bylaws forbid it from being involved in partisan politics.

Poll: Dem Narrowly Ahead For Heather Wilson's House Seat
A new Albuquerque Journal poll shows a close race for the open seat of Rep. Heather Wilson (R-NM), who left the seat open when she ran unsuccessfully in the GOP primary for the Senate. The numbers: Democratic Martin Heinrich 43%, Republican Darren White 41%, within the ±4.9% margin of error.

Smith Campaign: Okay, He Hasn't Visited Every County
The campaign of Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR) says the candidate misspoke when he claimed to have visited all of Oregon's counties once per year -- something he doesn't actually do. "Sen. Smith incorrectly stated being in every county every year, but more important than being a visitor to rural Oregon every year, Smith has been its voice and its vote every year," said Smith spokeswoman Lindsay Gilbride.

Colorado Republicans Call For Federal Probe Against Dem Candidate's Business
A Colorado GOP district chairman is calling for a federal probe against Democrat Betsy Markey, who has led right-wing Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R) in the polls. Musgrave's campaign has accused Markey of using her time as an aide to Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO) to steer government contracts to her family's business. The General Services Administration, the federal office in charge of procurement, has said the charges have no merit.

Ad In Colorado Goes After Schaffer's Sweatshop Ties
Here's the latest outside ad running in the Colorado Senate race. This spot from Public Campaign Action Fund goes after former Rep. Bob Schaffer (R) for his support for sweatshops in the Marianas Islands:

"Schaffer claimed he was investigation, but when Schaffer returned he defended the sweatshops," the ad says. "And he's taken thousands in contributions from the sweatshop owners.

Big Right-Wing Group Intervenes In North Carolina Senate Race
Freedom's Watch, the right-wing group that has applied considerable financial heft against Democrats in key races across the country, is now getting in the North Carolina Senate race. Here's their new attack ad against Democrat state Sen. Hagan, who has taken the lead in the polls against GOP Sen. Elizabeth Dole:

"Runaway deficits, record spending, a desperate economy," the announcer says. "Washington, right? No -- North Carolina."