Here's today's run-down of the Congressional races:

Right-Wing Group Jumps In Against Murtha
The right-wingers smell blood in the water in the wake of Jack Murtha's comments calling his constituents racists and rednecks, and now Vets For Freedom is going in with this ad buy of more than $50,000 against Murtha:

This ad avoids the "racist" comments, but instead features Marines saying that Murtha, a veteran of the Vietnam War, smeared and betrayed American troops when he said civilians were killed in cold blood at Haditha: "I expected to be attacked by the insurgents -- not from Congressmen at home."

DCCC Airs New Ad Against Murtha's Opponent
The DCCC is now having to come to Murtha's defense, as well, running this new ad attacking Murtha's opponent William Russell:

The DCCC has not yet disclosed the exact size of the ad buy, but it will be more than the $84,000 that the NRCC has put into advertising on this race.

Has Gordon Smith Already Lost?
Oregon pollster Tim Hibbitts won't go so far as to definitively say the Senate race here is over, but he is pointing to the very large number of early votes already cast -- due to Oregon's universal mail-in voting system -- and data showing that Democrat Jeff Merkley has outpaced GOP Sen. Gordon Smith among those who have alreayd voted. "There isn't a thing (Smith) can do differently with a week to go," said Hibbitts. "I think the cake is baked."

Dems Launch New Ad Against Smith On Taxes
Just in case Jeff Merkley hasn't already won the Oregon Senate race, the DSCC has this new ad up rebutting the GOP's attack on taxes:

"It's Gordon Smith who can't be trusted with our wallets: $48 billion for Iraq's reconstruction; $18 billion in tax breaks for Big Oil; a $10 trillion national debt," the announcer says. "That's Gordon Smith's record."

House Dems Throw In Almost $15 Million In One Day
The DCCC launched an enormous financial assault on the GOP in yesterday's FEC filing, totaling over $14.6 million in nearly 50 races. The single biggest expenditure was for almost $930,000 against Rep Mark Kirk (R-IL), who faces a Dem challenger hoping to ride Barack Obama's local coattails. Also, $560,000 was spent against Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), who has suddenly become vulnerable because of her infamous appearance on Hardball.

Polls: Indiana GOP Congressman In Surprising Trouble
A new survey from Indiana pollster Howey/Gauge puts Rep. Mark Souder (R) behind his Dem opponent Mike Montagano, an attorney who is only in his mid-20s, by a 44%-41% margin in a district that voted 68%-31% for George W. Bush in 2004. Another recent poll from Research 2000 gave Souder a bare lead of 45%-40%, not a good sign for the incumbent.

Dole Ad: Kay Hagan Takes "Godless Money"
Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), who has narrowly trailed Dem challenger Kay Hagan in the recent polls, now has this ad attacking Hagan for taking money from atheists and their Godless agenda:

"Godless Americans and Kay Hagan -- she hid from cameras, took Godless money. What did Hagan promise in return?" the announcer says, followed by the voice of one of the atheist activists declaring, "There is no God!"

GOP Ad For North Carolina: Ignore The Candidates, Stop The Liberals
The NRSC has this new ad in the North Carolina Senate race, imploring voters to pay no attention to the actual candidates, but instead vote for GOP Sen. Elizabeth Dole in order to prevent the Democrats from getting 60 Seante seats:

"Kay Hagan: If she wins, liberals get a blank check," the announcer says. Like other recent ads, this appears to be basically conceding the presidential race to Barack Obama, and making a last-ditch effort to hold on to some shred of power.