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

Another Poll Shows Tight Race For Murtha
A new poll from the Las-Vegas based Dane & Associates, commissioned by GrassrootsPA.com, shows Jack Murtha with a bare lead of 46%-44% over GOP opponent William Russell, within the ±3% margin of error. GrassrootsPA.com is a right-wing site, but it should be noted that Dane is a non-partisan firm that has done polling work for politicians of both parties from across the country.

New Mahoney Ad: He's A Jerk, But Look At The Other Guy
Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-FL), whose sex scandal has probably doomed his bid for re-election, has this new ad in which constituents admit he's been a personal disappointment, but his opponent's positions on the issues would damage the country:

One line in particular seems poorly written for a politician in Mahoney's situation: "He (Rooney) doesn't have Congressman Mahoney's experience."

Lunsford Releases The Hounds On McConnell
Senate candidate Bruce Lunsford (D-KY) has this new ad against Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, resurrecting an old McConnell campaign motif to show a man and his hound dogs chasing a frightened McConnell, with the hunter yelling at the incumbent for his record in Washington:

The ad is a remake/parody of an ad that McConnell himself used way back in 1984, when he first ran against and defeated Democratic Sen. Walter "Dee" Huddleston.

Uncle Ted To Hold Post-Conviction Rally In Alaska
Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) is proving that his conviction on corruption charges has not deterred him from his re-election campaign. Uncle Ted will be holding a "Welcome Home" rally tomorrow in Anchorage, his first campaign event since he became a convicted felon.

Poll: Coleman Regains The Lead In Minnesota
A new Rasmussen poll shows Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) regaining the lead over Al Franken: Coleman 43%, Franken 39%, and Independence Party candidate Dean Barkley at 14%, compared to the numbers from a week ago of Franken 41%, Coleman 37%, and Barkley 17%. Barkley appears to have lost some Republican support to Coleman, and Franken lost some Democratic support to Barkley -- so if Franken is to win, he'll need to get those Barkley Democrats back.

Poll: Dole Behind By Four Points
A new AP/GfK poll of North Carolina shows Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R) trailing Democratic challenger Kay Hagan by a 47%-43% margin, within the ±4% margin of error. This is in line with other recent polls that have shown Dole narrowly behind.

With Friends Like These: Right To Life Ad Ties Oregon's Smith To McCain On Abortion -- In A Positive Way!
Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR), who has worked to court liberal voters in this blue state, is now getting some help from National Right To Life, telling listeners on conservative radio programs that Smith stands with John McCain and Sarah Palin on stopping abortion:

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This sort of targeted advertising was much more feasible in the pre-Google era, but nowadays the press can easily pick up on it and inform voters who aren't the intended audience. This will likely have either no real effect on Smith's chances, or will instead do damage by making him look two-faced.