Bachmann Challenger's Fundraising Skyrockets
The campaign of Elwyn Tinklenberg, the Democratic challenger against Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), tells Election Central that they've raised $650,000 online since her now-infamous McCarthyite appearance on Hardball. This is an astonishing number for a House race by any measure, and even more special in light of the fact that this is nearly twice his cash-on-hand at the end of September.

McConnell: I Would Still Back Iraq War, "Regardless Of The Initial Justification"
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (KY) reaffirmed that he would have voted to authorize the Iraq War, even knowing now that there were no weapons of mass destruction. "Regardless of the initial justification, I don't think the Middle East or the world would be better off if he was there," McConnell told the Courier-Journal editorial board. "I think that is a substantial improvement."

Merkley Ad: Don't Believe Smith's Deception In Linking Himself To Dems
Senate candidate Jeff Merkley (D-OR) has this new ad going after incumbent Republican Gordon Smith, who has run ads in this blue state tying himself to Barack Obama and his Democratic co-Senator Ron Wyden. This new spot reminds voters that Obama and Wyden are in fact for Merkley:

"So don't believe Gordon Smith's deceptive ads," the announcer says. "Smith votes with George Bush 90% of the time."

Polls: Tight Race For Senate In Minnesota
Two new polls show the Minnesota Senate race going down to the wire. From Research 2000: Al Franken (D) 41%, Sen. Norm Coleman (R) 39%, and Independence Party candidate Dean Barkley at 18%, with a ±4.5% margin of error. From SurveyUSA: Coleman 41%, Franken 39%, and Barkley 18%, with a ±3.9% margin of error. The SurveyUSA poll is the first one in weeks to give Coleman even a nominal lead, and a far cry from their previous poll in early October, which had him up 43%-33%.

Poll: Dems On Track To Pick Up Illinois House Seat
A new poll by Bennett, Petts, & Normington (D), commissioned by the liberal blog Progress Illinois, finds Democrats way ahead for the open House seat of Rep. Jerry Weller (R-IL). The numbers: Debbie Halvorson (D) 50%, Marty Ozinga (R) 29%.

NRSC Ad: Musgrove Is Responsible For The Bad Economy
The NRSC has this new ad against Senate candidate Ronnie Musgrove (D-MS) saying that the poor economy would help his campaign. The ad then proceeds to blame Musgrove, who served one term as governor that ended five years ago, for the economic situation itself:

"Ronnie Musgrove says the failing economy is going to help his campaign -- the economy Ronnie Musgrove helped damage."