Kentucky Democratic Senate candidate Jack Conway's attack ad, which uses Republican opponent Rand Paul's college-age "Aqua Buddha" incident to question his faith, sparked a debate among liberal bloggers over whether the ad's implications - that Paul holds a disdain for Christianity left over from his youth - are a legitimate political attack or hit below the belt on issues that should be irrelevant to a Democratic candidate.

The blog of the left-leaning New Republic featured a post by Jonathan Chait, who wrote that the ad is the "ugliest, most illiberal political ad of the year."

"I actually don't doubt the implication of the ad, namely that Rand Paul harbors a private contempt for Christianity. He's a devotee of Ayn Rand, who is a fundamentally anti-Christian thinker. And much of Paul's history, which he is frantically covering up in an attempt to pass himself off as a typical Republican, suggests among other things a deep skepticism about religion.

"The trouble with Conway's ad is that it comes perilously close to saying that non-belief in Christianity is a disqualification for public office. That's a pretty sickening premise for a Democratic campaign."

Washington Monthly's liberal blogger Steve Benen also seemed to think that the attacking of a Republican candidate's religious beliefs was not in keeping with the Democratic ethos, suggesting that the ad is a desperate attempt to get a lead on Paul in the polls.

"I have no idea whether something like this will be effective. Kentucky's cultural conservatism and strong evangelical majority may respond well to the message, and reinforce fears about Paul's personal oddities. (The point is spelled out plainly in the ad's conclusion: "Why are there so many questions about Rand Paul?")

"Still, I much preferred when Democrats didn't attack rival candidates over their religious beliefs."

Balloon Juice's Doug J seemed to think the ad missed its purpose completely.

"I have to admit, this anti-Rand Paul ad kind of makes me want to vote for the guy. Got to be the funniest ad I’ve ever seen, though I don’t think that’s intentional. But what do I know about Kentucky politics?"

Markos Moulitsas Zuniga, the founder of Daily Kos, wrote on his blog that the ad was fair game, as a candidate's personal beliefs were as relevant to their political credentials as their policy stances.

"I can see why Chait and other progressives might be a bit upset, as the ad attacks Rand Paul for his irreligious beliefs.

"Personally, I see nothing wrong with it. Voters are less concerned with issues than values when casting their ballots, and for many voters, religion speaks to the candidate's values. I may not like it, but it's a democracy, and the notion that the source of a candidate's values are off-limits is patently absurd.

"Sure, that means that as an atheist I would never get elected in Mississippi or Alabama or Kentucky, but so what? No one has a right to electoral office, and in a democracy, you have to sell yourself to the voters. In many places, religion is part of the package."

Nevada Republican Senate candidate Sharron Angle has already found herself in hot water for saying that she’s not sure whether or not one of her ads, which contains an unmistakable image of three Latino men, actually depicts Latinos.

Her unusual identification of various racial characteristics may extend further, per new video posted by Nevada political journalist Jon Ralston.

Speaking to a group of Hispanic students, Angle said that she was unsure of their ethnic backgrounds.

“I don’t know that all of you are Latino. Some of you look a little more Asian to me,” she said. “I don’t know that.”

Angle made the remarks to the Hispanic Student Union at Rancho High School in Las Vegas.

“What we know, what we know about ourselves is that we are a melting pot in this country,” Angle continued. “My grandchildren are evidence of that. I’m evidence of that. I’ve been called the first Asian legislator in our Nevada State Assembly.”

Angle, who served in the statehouse between 1998 and 2006, was best known for frequently being the only “no” vote among the 42-member assembly on otherwise unanimous agreements.

The basis for the “first Asian legislator” comment? Ralston writes on his blog: “I have no idea what she is talking about.”

History lesson: A president’s party almost always loses House and Senate seats in a midterm season… But all signs point to this NOT being your average midterm correction… Tomorrow’s midterm topic: Are we headed for a third-straight change election?... It’s fingernail biting time -- for both Democrats and Republicans… Another busy campaign week for Obama… The AFL-CIO makes its case… Joe Miller security guards arrest Alaska reporter… Buck compares homosexuality to alcoholism on “Meet”… Questions of decency and “Aqua Buddha” in Kentucky… Profiling MA-10… And Cuomo up 35 points in NYT poll.

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Ali Weinberg
*** The Corrections: Two weeks before Election Day, we begin rolling out our primer on the midterms (hint: pieces of our network Election Book that we’ll publish on msnbc.com). Today’s topic: how a president’s party almost always loses House and Senate seats in a midterm election. In a way, midterms serve as a midcourse correction of sorts to the previous presidential contest, especially a president’s first midterm cycle. Political observers sometimes forget this fact since Republicans -- due largely to 9/11 and its aftermath -- actually gained seats in George W. Bush’s first midterm. Here are the numbers: Since World War II, a president’s party has lost, on average, nearly 25 House seats and four Senate seats in a midterm cycle. The numbers are essentially the same in a president’s FIRST midterm, 25.5 House seats and 2.5 Senate seats. (However, the average is lower -- nearly 20 House seats and slightly more than one Senate seat -- if you don’t count Truman’s and Ford’s first midterms in 1946 and 1974 because they had assumed office instead of being elected to it.)

*** But not your average correction: That said, all signs are pointing to this NOT being an average midterm cycle for President Obama’s party. Our current Voter Confidence Index stands at -41. To put that into perspective, the VCI was -35 in 1982, when Ronald Reagan’s party lost 26 House seats; it was -30 in 1994, when Democrats lost 54 House seats; and it was -65 in 2006, when Republicans lost 30 House seats. Right now, both the Cook Political Report and the Rothenberg Political are projecting Republicans to pick up 40 to 50 House seats. They need to net 39 to take control of the chamber. By the way, what’s really making that 40-50 prediction seem more likely by the day: the fact that more Democratic seats are moving into the “battleground.” We’re up to more than 100 Democratic seats in play now (what we count as in play are incumbents we think will poll under 60% on election day or even 55%).

*** Ch-ch-changes: Tomorrow’s midterm topic: Are we heading for a third-straight change election? If so, this is truly historic, something most of us have NEVER experienced.

*** Fingernail biting time: With two weeks to go, you get the sense that both Democrats (at least the White House) and Republicans want to get this election over with -- right now. For Democrats, President Obama was hoarse while campaigning in Ohio last night, and you can bet Dems want to end this midterm storyline ASAP and simply move on to the “how will Republicans govern?” narrative that they believe they’ll win and the “what’s the White House going to do now?” story. On the other hand, Republicans probably wish Election Day was today, because they’re unsure if some of their candidates -- Joe Miller (whose security guards detained an Alaska reporter), Ken Buck (who compared homosexuality with alcoholism on “Meet the Press”), Rand Paul (who refused to shake opponent Jack Conway’s hand after Conway question his religion), and Florida House candidate Allen West (who NBC’s Lisa Myers reported has ties to an outlaw motorcycle gang, which West denies) -- can survive another two weeks. Both sides are biting their fingernails right now…

*** Obama’s busy campaign week: On the heels of his event last night in Ohio, which was attended by an estimated 35,000, Obama embarks on another busy campaign week. On Wednesday, he heads to Portland to stump for Oregon gubernatorial candidate John Kitzhaber (D). On Thursday, he travels to Seattle to attend a rally for Sen. Patty Murray (D). On Friday, he hits Los Angeles (for Barbara Boxer) and Las Vegas (for Harry Reid). And on Saturday, he campaigns in Minneapolis for gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton (D). That’s a busy four days for the president. Today’s agenda: At noon ET, Obama delivers remarks at the White House science fair. And in the evening, he headlines a fundraising dinner for the DSCC.

*** AFL makes its case: The AFL-CIO has released a memo to reporters that puts its influence squarely on the line in its efforts to mobilize union voters. For starters, it identifies the competitive House districts (HI-1, IL-14, NY-24, NV-3, OH-13, PA-3, PA-12, PA-11) and Senate contests (CA, IL, NV, PA, WV, WI) with large union populations. And then it argues that its outreach program is working. “For example, in Pennsylvania on Labor Day, Sestak had a slim 45% to 39% lead among union members. Since then, Sestak’s lead has ballooned to 29 points (55% to 26%), a major reason Sestak trails Toomey by a single point in the most recent polls. And Pennsylvania is not the exception. Over the last month we have seen similar margins reached for Senators Reid, Boxer, Murray, Feingold and for Giannoulias’s campaign.”

*** Observe and Report: We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: If some Tea Party candidates don’t like interacting with the media, they aren’t going to enjoy working in the House or Senate, which are full of congressional reporters. The Anchorage Daily News reports that an Alaska reporter/editor/blogger “was arrested by U.S. Senate candidate Joe Miller's private security guards Sunday as the editor attempted to interview Miller at the end of a public event in an Anchorage school. Tony Hopfinger was handcuffed by the guards and detained in a hallway at Central Middle School until Anchorage police came and told the guards to release Hopfinger.” In a statement, Miller accused the blogger of assault and trying to “create a publicity stunt.” Lisa Murkowski weighed in with her own statement: “This behavior is particularly disturbing, especially for someone who claims to be a ‘constitutional conservative.’ Apparently Joe Miller has forgotten both the 1st and 4th Amendments to the United States Constitution.” To us, this is just more evidence that Murkowski and Scott McAdams (D) have real shots at winning this race. It’s Miller’s second unforced error in as many weeks.

*** Elevating the culture wars in Colorado: As we said above, Republicans have to be sweating that their candidates don’t make major mistakes between now and Election Night. Here’s a potential problem for Colorado Senate candidate Ken Buck (R), who has been leading Sen. Michael Bennet (D) in most polls. The Denver Post: “Buck suddenly elevated the culture wars from minor player to center stage in the Senate race … when he compared homosexuality to alcoholism in a nationally televised debate. Appearing with Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet in a 27-minute showdown on Meet the Press, Buck responded to a question from host David Gregory by saying that he believed homosexuality was a choice but had limited biological influences ‘like alcoholism and some other things.’ Buck said after the debate that he ‘wasn't talking about being gay as a disease’ but also said of his remark that ‘there's no doubt there will probably be a commercial on something like that’ from Democrats.” One thing that’s benefited Tea Party candidates and the movement is that they’ve stayed away from the social issues. Particularly, out West, the libertarian streak has been helpful to the Tea Party. Buck has to be careful not to undermine the libertarianism he’s been tapping into...

*** Questions of decency and Aqua Buddha: And it’s getting personal in Kentucky. "A debate filled with unabashed personal attacks concluded Sunday night with Republican Rand Paul briskly brushing past Democrat Jack Conway, refusing to shake the hand of an opponent who raised questions about his religious beliefs," the Lexington Herald-Leader notes. "'Jack, have you no decency? Have you no shame?' Paul asked Conway during the fourth of five scheduled debates between Kentucky’s U.S. Senate candidates." More: Paul’s initial comments in the debate focused on a Conway TV ad that began airing over the weekend that says Paul was in a secret brotherhood while in college at Baylor University that mocked Christianity. It also alleged that he tied up a woman while in college and forced her to bow down to a god named ‘Aqua Buddha.’” It was an interesting decision by Conway to, well, go there. Nobody is condoning the alleged behavior of Paul in college, but voters usually don’t reward candidates who decide to go after their candidates’ youth. It didn’t work against Dubya, Clinton or Obama.

*** 75 House races to watch: MA-10: Norfolk District Attorney William Keating is the Democratic nominee in the race to replace retiring Rep. Bill Delahunt (D). Keating’s GOP opponent is state Rep. Jeffrey Perry. In 2008, Obama won 55% in this district – which includes Cape Cod – and Kerry won 56% in 2004. As of Aug. 25, Keating had more than $360,000 in the bank, while Perry had $128,000. Both Cook and Rothenberg rate the contest as Lean Democratic.

*** More midterm news: In New York, a New York Times poll has Andrew Cuomo (D) leading Carl Paladino by 35 points among likely voters (59%-24%).

Countdown to Election Day 2010: 15 days

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President Obama will hit the West Coast this week, as well as Las Vegas, Minnesota and Maryland. VP Biden is in Pennsylvania today, campaigning in PA-15, and then heads off to Washington State, San Francisco, Reno, and Maryland.

The New York Times on President and Mrs. Obama’s trip to Ohio to campaign for Gov. Ted Strickland yesterday: “President Obama is seeking to rally anxious Democrats for the final two weeks of the midterm election campaign, traveling to the heart of the electoral battleground to urge them not to be discouraged — ‘Don’t let them tell you that change isn’t possible’ — even as resurgent Republicans continued to expand their sights with the help of deep-pocketed allies.”

More: Speaking at an Ohio State rally on behalf of Gov. Ted Strickland, President Obama “was greeted by a lively crowd -- estimated by OSU officials at 35,000 -- that echoed the enthusiasm that helped propel him to the White House. The White House said Sunday's crowd was the largest Obama had spoken to since his inauguration… he took advantage of having Michelle at his side, reprising the warm banter between the two of them displayed on the 2008 campaign trail. “‘It's fun having her along on this road trip,’ said Obama, who introduced himself as Michelle Obama's husband. ‘Usually I'm all by myself, listening to my iPod. We had a wonderful conversation on the way here, and she was telling me what I should do. It's true. It's true. You think I'm joking. I'm not. I have witnesses.’”

“Terror leader Osama Bin Laden is living it up in Pakistan, not cowering in some cave, a senior NATO official tells CNN,” the New York Daily News recounts. “The report indicates that the founder of Al Qaeda, the organization responsible for multiple terror attacks including those on 9/11, is shacked up in a home somewhere in the northwest region of the country.”

“The President will announce his part on ‘Mythbusters,’ the Discovery Channel's hit science series, during Monday's White House science fair,” The New York Daily News writes. “The President's episode, ‘Archimedes Solar Ray,’ will air Dec. 8, according to the Discovery Channel. In it, Obama will challenge hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman to revisit the controversial claim that ancient Greek scientist and mathematician Archimedes set fire to a fleet of invading Roman ships by using mirrors that reflect the sun's rays.”

“House minority leader John Boehner waved his arms, jabbed his finger, and urged members of both parties to take a courageous vote for what has become known as the Wall Street bailout,” the Boston Globe notes. “ ‘These are the votes that separate the men from the boys and the girls from the women,’ Boehner said two years ago just before voting to authorize the federal government to purchase up to $700 billion in toxic assets from foundering financial firms. Since then, anger over the legislation has cost some congressional backers their jobs and fueled the Tea Party movement. Even Boehner has become a leading critic. Yet as the program winds down, some of its backers — as well as independent analysts — insist it has been a resounding success. Most of the money has been repaid, and Treasury officials expect it will cost a fraction of the initial projections. The mystery to supporters is why the Troubled As set Relief Program — or TARP — has become the dirty, four-letter word of the 2010 midterm elections.”

“House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) raised $1.9 million in the third quarter for the Boehner for Speaker political action committee, more than tripling the amount collected in the second quarter,” Roll Call reports. “The PAC, a joint effort between Boehner and the National Republican Congressional Committee, had raised a total of nearly $2.5 million as of Sept. 30, according to the latest data from the Federal Election Commission. It reported raising about $570,000 in the second quarter.”

Remember him? “Sen. John Ensign spent $551,000 in legal fees for himself and his aides in the third quarter, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Sunday,” Roll Call notes. “The Nevada Republican raised less than $19,000 for his campaign fund during the period and spent about $700,000 overall, leaving about $280,000 in the bank, the newspaper reported, citing a campaign report filed Friday. Ensign is up for re-election in 2012.”

And remember this bus tour is happening? On Friday, the RNC’s “Fire Pelosi” tour hit Niles, Indiana, the South Bend Tribune reports.

“Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Sunday [on CBS’s Face the Nation] that not only are endangered Democrats not running on healthcare reform, they're running against ‘the Obama takeover of most of society.’”

COLORADO: “Colorado's Republican Senate candidate, under pressure to defend himself against allegations he has abandoned the far-right in favor of appealing to moderate voters, compared homosexuality to alcoholism in a televised debate with the man he's trying to unseat,” the AP writes of Buck’s appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press with David Gregory. After Gregory asked if he believes being gay is a choice, Buck said yes, and followed up, saying, "I think that birth has an influence over it, like alcoholism and some other things, but I think that basically you have a choice."

The debate made news locally in Colorado as well.

KENTUCKY: “Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul angrily accused Democratic rival Jack Conway of descending ‘into the gutter’ with a TV ad questioning Paul's faith and demanded an apology during a Sunday night debate that turned bitterly personal. Paul denounced the commercial during his opening statement and quoted Scripture to deflect the attack while calling himself a ‘pro-life Christian.’ … The issue flared again in the closing moments, when Paul declared he would not shake Conway's hand afterward, stating: ‘I will not be associated with someone who attacks my religion.’”

“A debate filled with unabashed personal attacks concluded Sunday night with Republican Rand Paul briskly brushing past Democrat Jack Conway, refusing to shake the hand of an opponent who raised questions about his religious beliefs,” the Lexington Herald-Leader reports. “Paul's initial comments in the debate focused on a Conway TV ad that began airing over the weekend that says that while in college at Baylor University, Paul was in a secret brotherhood that mocked Christianity.”

During a debate on 'Meet the Press' Sunday, Colorado Republican Senate candidate Ken Buck said he believes that being gay is a choice but that, "like alcoholism," there are also biological factors that contribute to homosexuality.

Asked by host David Gregory if he thinks being gay is a choice, Buck replied, "I do."

"You can choose who your partner is," Buck added. "I think that birth has an influence, like alcoholism and some other things ... But I think that, basically, you have a choice."

After the debate, Buck clarified that he thinks there is "some element of predisposition" in homosexuality. He noted that he mentioned alcoholism as an example of another behavior that can be influenced by genetic factors.

"I wasn't talking about being gay as a disease," Buck said. "I don't think that at all."

Speaking to reporters after the debate, Buck's Democratic opponent, Michael Bennet, called Buck's characterization of homosexuality "deeply troubling."

Here's the video:

9:58 ET: That's all for the Senate debate. Reporters in the studio are going to try to catch the candidates and ask them some follow-up questions. We'll report back in this space to let you know what they say.

9:56 ET: Buck says that he would like to see a balanced budget amendment. Also "play more golf."

9:54 ET: Buck on 'making friends' in Washington: "I am not going to let those friendships interfere with my obligation to do the people's work."

9:52 ET: Bennet references the statement that Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican, made before backing Associate Justice Elena Kagan, calls it "a class act."

9:50 ET: Which sitting justices would you have voted against? Buck names Kagan and Sotomayor. Bennet names Clarence Thomas and says he's been "disappointed" by Chief Justice John Roberts.

9:48 ET: Gregory asks Buck if he believes being gay is a choice. "I do," Buck replies.

"You can choose who your partner is." Buck adds that "birth has an influence over it, like alcoholism and some other things."

9:45 ET: Bennet says that "as the father of three daughters," he does not agree with the language Buck used while dealing with the victim in the case.

Here's the video of the exchange on the date rape case. Buck said he does not regret how he dealt with the victim in the case.

9:42 ET: Gregory is pressing Buck on whether or not he handled a rape case insensitively during his tenure as Weld County District Attorney. You can read about the case here. (via POLITICO)

A Colorado woman who claims she was raped five years ago has released a taped conversation between her and Republican Senate candidate Ken Buck, the Weld County district attorney, that she says proves he tried to blame her for the episode.

The secret recording by the victim, provided to The Colorado Independent, reveals Buck telling the woman the details appeared to show she consented to the sexual encounter, though he admits the woman " never said the word 'yes'."

9:40 ET: Buck also argues that the tax cuts will grow the economy by putting more money in Americans' pockets. He slips up, accidentally saying "government" instead of "the economy."

Seeing the opening, Bennet jumps in: "Well, I'm definitely not in favor of growing government."

9:40 ET: Asked if he agrees with some Republicans that the Bush tax cuts do not have to be paid for, Buck replies "No, I do not ... We've got to find spending cuts." Bennet supports an extension of the tax cuts for one year.

9:38 ET: Buck: "Republicans are every bit as much to blame as Democrats" for running up the debt.

9:36 ET: Bennet says that the president has done things that "were not helpful for the state of Colorado."

9:34 ET: Bennet says the stimulus package "saved us from going into the second Great Depression."

9:32 ET: Both candidates are bringing up the negative ads that have largely characterized the general election. The Denver Post reports that outside groups have pumped a whopping $23 million into the election. About $18 million of that has been devoted to negative advertising.

9:28 ET: Bennet charges that Buck ran a primary campaign based on extreme conservative policy positions but now hopes to portray himself as more mainstream. "That's not the kind of straight talk that people in Colorado want." Bennet says.

9:27 ET: Buck says he's not in favor of repealing the 17th amendment, a charge that Bennet has made against his GOP opponent. The amendment allows for direct election of senators.

9:26 ET: Bennet urges a "serious conversation, rather than just a bunch of slogans." Throughout the campaign, he has tried to make reasonableness and civility a centerpiece of his political identity.

9:25 ET: Buck says he's attended over 800 Tea Party-related events and he has not seen racism manifested in the movement. "I find it offensive that folks would try to label the Tea Party that way."

9:24 ET: Gregory asks Buck whether the Tea Party represents a legitimate political movement or an extreme force. Buck says that frustration with Washington has created a lot of political energy. 'It is a lot more mainstream than has been portrayed.'

9:22 ET: Buck has tried to paint Bennet as "a rubber stamp for his friends in Washington." Obama, who won the state by nine points in the 2008 election, has stumped on Bennet's behalf.

9:21 ET: This is the first national showdown between the two Colorado candidates. Msnbc.com's Tom Curry wrote about the state of play in the race earlier this week:

Buck told The Denver Post in July that he’s running "because I'm mad, because I think what's going on in D.C. is wrong. The lurch to the left has taken us down the wrong path." His closing argument in debates goes like this: "We protested when the government ran up trillions of dollars of debt, we sent e-mails when they were about to pass the health care bill … we pleaded with them to please secure our borders so that we would be safe — and you know what: they heard us, but folks, they ignored us. And on Nov. 2, they will ignore us no more.”

Appointed to fill the Senate seat held by Ken Salazar (who was tapped by President Obama as his Interior Secretary), and on the ballot for the first time ever, Bennet has found Colorado's political terra firma shifting once again. He and three of the state's Democratic House members appear to be in some danger of losing.

9:20 ET: The Senate debate is about to start.

9:00 a.m. ET Good morning! If it's a Sunday Senate debate on Meet the Press... we're live-blogging it. This week, Colorado incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet faces off against Republican challenger Ken Buck. Recent polls show a single-digit race between the two candidates, although Buck -- who's running as a conservative, small-government outsider -- appears to have a slight edge. It's also the contest in the country that's attracting the most cash from outside groups, with millions being spent on attack ads in the state.

Buck, who was heavily backed by Tea Party groups, defeated establishment GOPer Lt. Gov. Jane Norton in the August 10 primary. Bennet survived a tough challenge from House Speaker Andrew Romanoff.

You can read more about the race here.

The debate begins after host David Gregory interviews White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. Check your local listings and tune in.

NBC's Domenico Montanaro and Andrew Gross preview the week in politics: Democrats deploy top surrogates to try and avoid big losses. Plus, where's Andy aka The Incumbent been?

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WEEK AHEAD VIDEO

From NBC’s Ali Weinberg
The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday evening that an anti-tax organization founded by Kentucky Republican Senate candidate Rand Paul, which he has referred to as an active group as recently as this week, was legally dissolved in 2000 after failing to file basic annual reports with the state, and ceased most activity in 2002.

The campaign for Paul's Democratic opponent, Attorney General Jack Conway, said Paul was "simply misleading voters" for playing up his affiliation with the group, Kentucky Taxpayers United, long after it suspended most of its activities, besides occasional public appearances by Paul or an associate who also did work for the group.

Paul has also previously indicated that the group collected money from members, which conflicts with statements his campaign press secretary made to the Wall Street Journal that the group had "thousands of supporters, but never collected dues."

In an April 12, 2000 article from the Associated Press State and Local Wire, Paul is quoted as saying that the group has "about 1,000 dues-paying members."

During a conference call with reporters, a spokesman for Paul's Democratic opponent Jack Conway said that Paul has been "simply misleading voters" for characterizing the group as an active organization, and that Paul would have further questions to answer about what he did with the money if, in fact, the group had collected dues.

"For the last ten years it appears that Rand Paul has been misleading Kentucky voters about the very issue that is at the core of his political argument. That's troubling," Conway spokesman John Collins said.

Paul's campaign manager Jesse Benton sent a written statement in response to the report: "Kentucky Taxpayers United was a vibrant and effective grassroots organization since Dr. Paul founded it in 1994. KTU issued ratings of the Kentucky legislature for 5 election cycles through 2002 and continued afterward to work with candidates at all levels to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge as well as to provide a platform for Dr. Paul and others to speak about the issues of Taxpayers Rights. KTU is a testament to the power of grassroots citizens overcoming big money and special interests, something Rand has continued in his campaign for Senate."

From the Wall Street Journal:

Brett Gaspard, who helped Paul prepare some of the legislative scorecards, said Kentucky Taxpayers United never had a formal membership but circulated its reports in the media and to allies, encouraged candidates to sign a no-tax-increase pledge, and gave awards to officials who resisted new taxes. Gaspard said the work had a major impact on political campaigns and proposed laws but after 2002 the group’s only significant activity came in public appearances by Paul and occasionally himself.

“You kind of give yourself a group,” he said. “You can’t just say, ‘I’m Brett Gaspard.’ ”

Paul declined to be interviewed. In a series of emails with The Wall Street Journal, Jesse Benton, his campaign manager, said Paul founded Kentucky Taxpayers United in 1994 and that it was an all-volunteer effort with “thousands of supporters, but never collected dues.” He described the group as “currently inactive” but wouldn’t specify when it became dormant. “There is no story here,” Benton wrote. “KTU was a recognized force in KY politics.”

State records indicate Paul formally incorporated Kentucky Taxpayers United in 1999 as a tax-exempt group. The organization was dissolved by the Kentucky secretary of state a year later for failing to file yearly corporate-registration documents. It never obtained federal tax-exempt status. Paul’s campaign spokesman said the organization didn’t raise enough money to trigger that requirement.

NBC's Kelly O'Donnell talked with both candidates for Delaware Senate, Republican Christine O'Donnell and Democrat Chris Coons, after their first and only debate together. Below, the full clips of the interviews and some excerpts.

Christine O'Donnell on Wednesday's debate
I think last night's debate was certainly a tipping point. The way I described it was we've shattered my opponent's glass jaw. I think over the next couple of weeks you're going to hear the pieces of glass hit the floor.

On the media craze over the race
The media frenzy, as you experienced, is overwhelming and it's not something I welcoe. But I have to laugh because as I walked away and told reporters to please step in line, I looked over my shoulder and there's my opponent taking my leftovers.

On her response to the question of which recent Supreme Court decisions she disagreed with.
I'd like to address that Supreme Court decision -- I mean question. If you'll notice, Wolf said what recent Supreme Court decision did I disagree with. I immediately thought of the second amendment. I immediately thought of Citizens United. And I said to myself, I can't think of a recent Supreme Court decision. And unfortunately that's been mischaracterized. Maybe because that's the only thing they can attack me on.

KOD: Did you feel a litle stupmped by that?

COD: No I just felt like I didn't have an answer because his question was, what recent Supreme Court decision do you disagree with? And under Roberts and under Rehnquist I've been very pleased with the decisions that have been handed down.  

Chris Coons on what he thought President Obama could do for his campaign stumping in Delaware for him.
President Obama is going to be joined by Vice President Biden, who represented Delaware and held the Senate seat here for 36 years. And I'm honored to have the active support of the president and the vice president. But frankly I'm running to be the independent voice for Delaware... I'm grateful for the input, grateful for the support, but frankly, I'm making it clear. I'm running to represent Delaware.

On whether Christine O'Donnell is qualified to represent Delaware in the Senate.
That's a decision that Delaware's voters are going to make on Nov. 2nd. I think the debate we had at the University of Delaware certainly raised some questions about whether she's studied up on the current issues that would face any senator who would take this seat.

From msnbc.com's Tom Curry
SPOKANE, Wash. - In the tight Washington Senate race, Democratic incumbent Sen. Patty Murray has a former president, Bill Clinton, coming to campaign for her Monday and the current president, Barack Obama, rallying students Thursday at the University of Washington in Seattle.

But Murray’s opponent, Dino Rossi, has a potential future president, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, campaigning for him today in Spokane, Washington.

Thune, who won his Senate seat six years ago by defeating then-Majority Leader Tom Daschle, said he hadn’t yet decided on his 2012 plans.

“I’m focused right now on trying to get people like Dino elected to the Senate and get some reinforcements that hopefully will allow us to start changing the direction of the country,” Thune said Friday morning. “We’ll talk about 2012 after the midterms.”

Asked about the proposal by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Obama to send each Social Security recipient a special $250 check to make up for the lack of a Social Security cost-of-living increase in 2011, Thune said, “There’s a law in place and you follow the law. And if that’s something he doesn’t want to do, then they ought to figure out a way to pay for it. I don’t think you ought to be borrowing from our children and grandchildren to do this.”

Thune acknowledged that economic downturn was “tough on everybody, particularly the seniors. My parents are in their 90s and live on fixed income and they live in my hometown in South Dakota. So I understand what this means to lot of people. It is ironic the timing (of Obama’s support for the $250 check) would occur right before the election.”

But partly that timing is driven by the Social Security Administration, which makes the announcement about the cost-of-living increase (or lack of one) every year at about this time. Under a 1975 law, Social Security benefits increase automatically if, and only if, there’s an increase in the Consumer Price Index, measured from the third quarter of the prior year to the third quarter of the current year.

No inflation means no cost-of-living increase.

Reporters also asked Thune about another potential 2012 GOP presidential contender, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, who said in Washington Thursday he was open to the idea of a value-added tax and a tax on imported oil.

“If the Democrats control the Congress, there are going to be new taxes,” Thune predicted. “A lot of people talk about a VAT tax as a replacement for the income tax. But unless we change the composition of the Congress, you’re going to see a lot of proposals to increase revenue because the Democrats have to fund their agenda. So right now I’m not for anything that’s going to add to the tax burden on the American people.”

Thune campaigned for GOP Senate candidate Ken Buck in Colorado Tuesday. He said that next week he'll be campaigning in Indiana, Wisconsin, New York, Florida and Illinois.

Incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski is set to air a television ad this week featuring a video endorsement by the late Sen. Ted Stevens, who filmed the clip shortly before his death in a plane crash earlier this year.

Murkowski, who launched a write-in campaign after losing the Aug. 24 primary to Tea Party-supported attorney Joe Miller, was originally slated to air the footage this summer but pulled the ads after the legendary 40-year Senate veteran's death.

Sue Covich, Stevens's daughter, opens the minute-long ad, speaking directly to the camera. "My dad and Lisa made a great team for Alaska and were always loyal to each other and to the state they loved," Covich says, outlining Murkowski's decision not to air the footage until now. "Now, my family and I want you to hear for yourself how strongly he felt about the need to re-elect Lisa."

In the endorsement, dated July 30, Stevens also addresses the camera directly to praise Murkowski's "commitment to keep fighting for us."

In a nod to Murkowski's high-ranking position on the Senate's energy panel and her ability to win funding for projects in the state -- as he notably did during his tenure in Washington -- he adds, "We need Lisa and the seniority she's earned, now more than ever."

POLITICO first reported the ad. Watch below:

From NBC's Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
If it’s Friday, it’s time for another First Read Top 10 list, and today we look at what we consider the most likely Senate seats to switch parties next month. The number in parentheses is our ranking from last month.

1. North Dakota (1): We’ve finally run out of puns to signal that John Hoeven (R) is coming to Washington. SOLID R.
2. Arkansas (2): The buzz we’re hearing is that Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D) is making up ground against John Boozman (R). But the kind of ground we’re talking about is turning a 20-point race into a 10-point race. PROBABLE R.
3. Indiana (3): How important is a political environment in deciding races who wins races? Consider that if this was ’06 or ’08, Dan Coats (R) probably would lose and Brad Ellsworth (D) would win. But the opposite is likely to take place in November of ’10. PROBABLE R.
4. Wisconsin (8): A recent Russ Feingold (D) ad bemoans celebrating in the end zone before the game is over. But in his race against Ron Johnson (R), Feingold right now is down by two scores with five minutes left. LEAN R.
5. Pennsylvania (4): As we mentioned yesterday, Joe Sestak (D) is gaining ground on Pat Toomey (R). Natural tightening? Or déjà vu to early May, when Sestak began to close on Arlen Specter? LEAN R.
6. Colorado (6): The public polls we’ve seen show Ken Buck (R) leading Sen. Michael Bennet (D), but Democrats say their internals have Bennet ahead. TOSS UP.
7. Illinois (5): Alexi Giannoulias (D) vs. Mark Kirk (R) might be the purest 50%-50% out there. Kirk’s advantage: the national political environment. Alexi’s: the Democratic-leaning state. But make no mistake: Both are very flawed candidates. TOSS UP.
8. Nevada (7): Just like in Illinois, we have no idea who’ll win this Senate race -- Harry Reid (D) or Sharron Angle (R). Did last night’s debate change things? TOSS UP.
9. West Virginia (unranked): Joe Manchin’s (D) campaign has done everything it can to seize on last week’s “hicky” controversy, as well as put distance between himself and national Democrats. But Manchin is in a dog fight against John Raese (R). TOSS UP.
10. Washington (10): Recent public polling has Sen. Patty Murray (D) ahead of Dino Rossi (R). But this is going to be close, which of course is nothing new to Rossi, who barely lost his bid for governor in ’04. TOSS UP.

Nos. 11-21: California (Lean D), Kentucky (Lean R), Missouri (Lean R), Connecticut (Lean D), Alaska (Lean R), Florida (Lean R), New Hampshire (Lean R), Ohio (Lean R), Delaware (Probable D), North Carolina (Probable R), Louisiana (Probable R).

What we learned this week: that the GOP has the money mo’… that Dems are cutting their losses but also gaining ground in key races… that the debates have focused more on health care than the economy… and that the midterm season is more of a referendum on Pelosi/Reid than Obama… Wrapping last night’s Reid-vs.-Angle and Murray-vs.-Rossi debates… Previewing Sunday’s Bennet-vs.-Buck showdown… Obama and Biden stump for Coons at 1:30 pm ET… First Read’s Top 10 Senate takeovers… And profiling GA-8.

From NBC's From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Ali Weinberg
*** What we learned this week: We knew that Republicans were doing well on the money front, but we learned this week that they’re doing better than we had even thought. Sharron Angle raised a whopping $14 million in the last quarter (which is forcing the DSCC to spend more in the contest and pull out of MO SEN even earlier than they anticipated?); the RGA announced raising more than $30 million in the quarter (which allows them to play heavily in almost every GOV race in the country, especially since they can ignore CA and FL); and the GOP-leaning outside groups continue to spend and spend. The good news for Democrats: Even with all the GOP momentum, the DCCC continues to outraise the NRCC, and has a sizable cash-on-hand advantage. Then again, the GOP outside groups are more than making up the difference. And the Wall Street Journal is reporting that Democratic efforts to match the GOP outside group spending are coming up short. http://bit.ly/bDyLA0

*** Dems cut their losses and gain ground in key races: We also learned that Democrats are cutting their losses and pulling out of House and Senate races (like Steve Driehaus’ in Ohio and Robin Carnahan’s in Missouri); the goal is to now save the majorities. We learned that Democratic candidates are gaining ground in some key races, and that the Obama rallies are helping the party (see PA SEN, for instance). And in a big debate week, we’ve surprisingly learned that the more contentious issue has been health care and not the economy -- perhaps a realization that there’s really not much more the government can do to spark the economy. Finally, the fact that this midterm season is more of a referendum on Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid than on President Obama came into focus this week with the TV ads that Reps. Bobby Bright (D-MS) and Jim Marshall (D-GA) are running in their districts.

*** Reid vs. Angle: It was tough to watch last night’s Harry Reid-vs.-Sharron Angle debate. It looked more like a condo board association meeting than a clash of political titans. “Painful” doesn’t even begin to describe last night’s back-and-forth. And if both candidates didn’t perform well, that only helps Angle. The reason: It’s hard to paint your opponent as not ready for primetime if you don’t come across looking much better than she did. Also, Reid never really buttonholed Angle on the issues. For example, he hit her for wanting to privatize Social Security -- but didn’t take the extra step that that means subjecting retirement money to the stock market’s ups and downs. And it was like this on issue after issue. Reid also slipped into "Washington-speak" time and time again. Perhaps the worst moment for him: his shuffling around for notes for his closing statement.

*** Murray vs. Rossi: As it turns out, Patty Murray finds herself in a similar situation to Harry Reid -- she’s a longtime senator whom her opponent is casting as a D.C. insider. But unlike Reid, Murray was the aggressor in her debate last night against Dino Rossi. She brought it to him every time. For those that watched NV SEN and WA SEN debates back-to-back on C-SPAN, it was night and day. Rossi and Murray looked like heavyweight Senate candidates: Both came across competent and, well, ready for primetime. Toward the end, Murray seemed to score on the Boeing issue in a way that made Rossi seem exasperated.

*** Bennet vs. Buck: The next debate on the horizon is Michael Bennet (D) vs. Ken Buck (R) on "Meet the Press" this Sunday. Besides competing in a close contest, Bennet and Buck share this trait: The media-constructed narratives for them -- that Bennet is a creature of Washington and that Buck is an Angle-like Tea Party figure -- are somewhat unfair. Although Bennet attended private school in DC, he was the Denver schools superintendent before being appointed to Ken Salazar's Senate seat. (In fact, he was more of a political outsider, at least in terms of political experience than primary opponent Andrew Romanoff was.) And although Buck is very conservative on abortion and Social Security, he isn't Angle or Joe Miller or even Rand Paul. (Indeed, he’s a former U.S. attorney and Justice Department prosecutor.) Before the debate, "Meet" interviews White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.

*** On the trail today: President Obama and Vice President Biden stump for Chris Coon in Delaware at 1:30 pm ET… Biden later heads to Wisconsin, where he campaigns for Rep. Steve Kagen and House candidate Julie Lassa… Bill Clinton is in California for Jerry Brown, Gavin Newsom, and Loretta Sanchez… Rudy Giuliani campaigns for Marco Rubio in Florida… And New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie stumps in Connecticut for Linda McMahon.

*** 75 House races to watch: GA-8: The Democratic nominee is four-term incumbent Rep. Jim Marshall, and his GOP opponent is state Rep. Austin Scott. In 2008, McCain won 56% in this district – which is located in the middle of the state and represents Macon – while Bush won 61% here in ’04. As of June 30, Marshall had nearly $1 million in the bank, versus Scott’s $213,000. Marshall voted against the stimulus, cap-and-trade, and health care. Cook and Rothenberg both rate the contest as a Toss Up.

Countdown to Election Day 2010: 18 days

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The Washington Post on yesterday’s MTV/BET/CMT forum with President Obama: There was no ‘boxers or briefs’ moment, no chitchat about which Lil Wayne songs he has on his iPod... President Obama stuck to policy as he aimed to reconnect with young voters who invigorated the 2008 campaign, hoping they'll return to the polls for November's midterm elections and help his beleaguered Democrats in Congress."

More: "During the 60-minute telecast, audience members asked tough questions (some tougher than others) through star-struck smiles, suggesting perhaps that Obama is a president they still adore, even if they haven't felt the change he promised two years ago. While the occasional stumbling from questioners and even the program's hosts revealed jangled nerves, Obama maintained his unbreakable cool, offering the same bullet-point responses he finessed on the campaign trail. And while he never pandered, he didn't take full advantage of the opportunity either, speaking more from the stump than from the gut."

"Mitt Romney is continuing to raise money at a rapid clip, bringing in nearly $1.7 million over a three-month period and outpacing other possible 2012 Republican presidential hopefuls, according to federal election records and campaign officials," the Boston Globe writes. "By comparison, former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin brought in $1.2 million between July and September, and Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota reportedly collected about $778,000."

Manna from Beck: "Conservative media personality Glenn Beck implored his listeners Thursday to flood the U.S. Chamber of Commerce with donations… 'I would like to have this [be] the largest day of fundraising for the Chamber of Commerce ever,' Beck told listeners, according to audio flagged by the liberal group Media Matters for America," The Hill writes.

9:58 ET: That's all for the Nevada Senate debate. The candidates seemed uncomfortable throughout, with Angle struggling with some of the more involved policy questions and Reid speaking as though he was talking about legislative details in the Senate chamber instead of bread-and-butter issues that Nevada voters can relate to.

Angle did score some zingers ("Man up, Harry Reid") and stayed on message. Reid did not appear prepared, even fumbling with his written notes before his closing statement, but he delivered a firm defense of Democratic legislation passed on his watch. But the awkwardness of the debate was likely its most noteworthy characteristic.

We'll see what the voters decide at the ballot box in less than three weeks. (By the way, Nevada has a "None of these candidates" option on its ballot. This close race could come down to the percentage of voters who are so turned off by these candidates that they check that box.)

Thanks for following along.

9:57 ET: Angle closing statement: "People ask me why I smile so much. It's because I'm an optimist."

9:56 ET: Reid's closing statement: I am for the middle class. "I'm a fighter ... We have a long way to go but we have made some progress."

9:53 ET: Businesses are waiting for answers on the Bush tax cuts, Angle says. "We need to give them confidence by making tax cuts permanent."

9:51 ET: Angle demands to know how Reid made money on a legislator's salary. "That's really a low blow," Reid retorts, adding that he made money not as a senator but as a lawyer before his career in Congress.

9:50 ET: Reid slips and calls Angle "my friend" in his answer to a question about the Bush tax cuts. That's Senate speak -- how lawmakers refer to each other on the floor, often when they are disagreeing the most vehemently.

9:47 ET: Angle is asked about an audio tape obtained by Nevada political reporter Jon Ralston in which she offers a third-party candidate political "juice" and access to high-profile GOPers in Washington if he endorses her. "What I offered was the access to government that all people want" in their congressional representatives, Angle says.

9:46 ET: "You need to apologize to them," Angle tells Reid re: troops abroad. Reid counters that Angle wants to privatize the Department of Veterans Affairs.

9:44 ET: Moderator questions Reid on his infamous statement on Iraq that "the war is lost." Reid says that he made that statement after speaking to Petraeus (his "friend") and that the surge was the right thing to do.

9:42 ET: Angle says that states should "take their 10th amendment rights" and move education policy-making as close to the local level.

9:40 ET: Moderator asks Angle about her statements on education funding. On the Department of Education, she says, "It's an agency that makes one-size-fits-all policies that fit no one."

9:39 ET: "I've always voted against making Nevada the nuclear waste dump of the nation," Angle says, but adds that new technology makes that unnecessary. "We should be looking into nuclear energy."

9:38 ET: "Yucca Mountain is not good for the country and it's really bad for Nevada," Reid says. Important local issue in the state.

9:35 ET: The candidates are having a debate about what the Congressional Budget Office has estimated about Social Security solvency.

"There you go again, trying to hedge on this idea..." Angle retorts.

9:34 ET: "These ideas of my opponent are really extreme," Reid says. That's three.

9:33 ET: "Social Security is a promise we need to keep," Reid says. Angle responds that her opponent needs to understand its solvency issues. "Man up, Harry Reid," she says.

9:31 ET: Ouch. Reid: "I respectfully suggest to my opponent that she just doesn't understand what happened in Washington" with Don't Ask, Don't Tell legislation. Angle counters that she knows how the process works and that legislators should "read the bill first."

9:29 ET: Reid praises the court's role in government, even when he disagrees with rulings. "When they ruled [on Bush v. Gore], Bush immediately became my president. There were no broken windows."

9:28 ET: Angle says she admires Associate Justice Clarence Thomas. Says she wouldn't have voted for Elena Kagan because she doesn't "understand the Constitution."

9:27 ET: Asked to name a Supreme Court justice he admires, Reid names one with whom he disagrees - Justice Antonin Scalia. "He is a masterful mind," he says. Also one-time College Hall of Fame football player Whizzer White.

9:26 ET: Reid says Angle's plan for jobs is "extreme." That's twice -- how many more times will he use that phrase to describe her?

9:25 ET: "My job is to create policies to let the private sector do what they do best" and create jobs, Angle says.

9:22 ET: Neither candidate seems at ease, lots of stuttering answers. NBC's Chuck Todd points out on Twitter that there's a clear ideological difference between the candidates, but it might be a little tough to see through the sheer awkwardness of both candidates.

9:21 ET: Moderator asks Reid if Obama and Bush both should receive equal blame for the nation's economic woes. "Of course not," the Senate Majority Leader replies.

9:18 ET: Angle: "Pink ribbons will not make people have a good insurance plan."

9:17 ET: Insurance companies "have almost destroyed our economy," Reid argues. He says that insurance companies must be forced to cover mammograms and prostate colon cancer screenings. Mentions Breast Cancer Awareness month.

9:16 ET: Angle: "America is a country a choices, not of forcing people to buy things they don't need."

9:15 ET: Reid takes a swipe at Angle's recent comments about autism. "That's really extreme," Reid says.

9:15 ET: Angle says that the free market can solve the problems of the health insurance industry.

9:12 ET: Next question is about health care, and why legislators chose to tackle the reform effort in light of the dire economy. Reid: "We had to do health insurance reform to maintain competitive[ness] in the world economy." ... "Health insurance reform creates jobs."

9:11 ET: Both candidates say English should be the official language of the United States. Angle says she would support a constitutional amendment to mandate that; Reid says that English is "already the official language."

9:10 ET: "Harry Reid has voted to give Social Security to illegal aliens," Angle says, asked to back up that claim in an ad. Here's what nonpartisan organization Politifact called the ad "barely true."

9:10 ET: Angle on immigration: "We should be supporting Arizona, not suing Arizona." She also praises controverisal Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

9:08 ET: First question is on immigration. Reid: "We have to look at the issue of comprehensive immigration reform. We cannot ignore it."

9:06 ET: Angle, in opening statement, says that the debate will show the "contrast" between her and Reid. Says that Reid "lives in the Ritz Carlton in Washington."

9:04 ET: Reid's comment on jobs was a response to Angle's statement that it wouldn't be "her job" to create jobs. Here's an ad that Reid cut using those words against her.

9:04 ET: Reid: "My number one job is to create jobs as a United States senator."

9:02 ET: Reid begins his opening statement, reminding viewers of his humble upbringing in tiny Searchlight, Nevada.

9:00 ET: We're on the air. You can watch the live stream, courtesy of C-SPAN, here.

8:55 ET: We're almost underway. Worth noting: Angle has notably restricted the access of the state and national press, answering few questions from reporters about her campaign in recent months. She told FOX's Carl Cameron in August that she "needed the press to be our friend" and said that she only wanted to speak with reporters who ask favorable questions. But that attitude has not held back her fundraising ability; she announced this week that she brought in a staggering $14 million in the third fundraising quarter.

8:45 p.m. ET: It's one of the midterm cycle's most anticipated events -- the only debate between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Tea Party-backed Republican challenger Sharron Angle. The Nevada Senate race is one of the closest in the country, with a series of recent polls showing the candidates virtually deadlocked.

Reid, the most powerful Democrat on Capitol Hill, was so unpopular in his economically hard-hit home state that most observers considered him a lame duck before the June 8 primary. But when a little-known former state legislator defeated GOP favorite Sue Lowden for the Republican nomination, the state suddenly had a heck of a race on its hands.

Both candidates have shown a penchant for verbal gaffes in the past, and Reid has taken pains to highlight the extremely conservative (and occasionally wacky) policy positions voiced by his GOP competitor.

Will Angle appear senatorial? Will Reid avoid appearing out-of-touch with the needs of regular voters? We'll keep you up to date with the latest from Las Vegas here in this space. The debate starts at 9 p.m. ET, so tune in.

From NBC's Ali Weinberg and Alison Bruno
Sharron Angle and Harry Reid (and their surrogates) release new ads today in anticipation of their first and only debate tonight… Pat Toomey touts his “Lifelong Democrat” supporters… In MO-4, Republican Vicky Hartzler uses Rep. Ike Skelton’s words on the House floor against him… In PA-11, Lou Barletta puts out an ad that has Rep. Paul Kanjorski’s camp crying ageism… and Harold Johnson in NC-8 tells voters to stop the Kissell/Pelosi agenda.

NV SEN, Reid “Wild”
10/14
ANNCR: Sharron Angle voted against background checks to identify sex predators. She's against enforcing restraining orders that protect victims of domestic violence. She says rape victims should be forced to have the baby. Sharron Angle would wipe out Social Security. Medicare. And she'd privatize the VA. RENO MAYOR BOB CASHELL: Oh she's wild, she's wild, and with the wild ideas she has, we would never get anything done. REID: I'm Harry Reid, and I approve this message.

NV SEN, Angle “300”
10/13
ANGLE: I'm Sharron Angle, and I approve this message. ANNCR: You're looking at every time Harry Reid voted to raise taxes. Income taxes, taxes on Social Security, taxes on small businesses, even the dreaded death tax. A staggering 300 times Reid voted to raise taxes. And it's a big reason for Nevada's economic meltdown. Now Reid and Pelosi are planning to raise taxes on 34,000,000 families right after the election. Let's stop Harry Reid from ever raising our taxes again.

NV SEN, Reid (Vote Vets) “Highway”
10/13
NV VET TONY FUNCHES: High school was 46 miles away. They said going would be impossible. So he walked and hitched his way. 46 every Monday, 46 back come Friday. Asked his girlfriend's father for her hand, he growled and said 'impossible.' Five children and sixteen grandchildren later, he and his girlfriend are still holding hands. Everyone knows a nobody could never get elected to office. Impossible? He proved them wrong again. A nobody from Nevada could never become the most powerful man in the Senate. Never single-handedly stop Yucca Mountain. Never bring Nevada thousands of jobs, or be the one to demand that our veterans be treated with dignity and honor. For those would be impossible. Reelection? Some say darn close to impossible. Throw them all out. But in this day, this time of world-wide distress, we think Nevada needs him and that determination more than ever. So let's send him back, where he'll keep quietly, patiently, doggedly doing what he's always done for us. Yup: the impossible. Vote Vets Action Fund is responsible for the content of this advertising" (Youtube, 10/12).

NV SEN, anti-Reid (Crossroads GPS) “Story”
10/10
ANNCR: Harry Reid. Champion of liberal special interests inside the beltway. Disconnected from Nevada and its residents. The Obama playbook to which Senator Reid hitched his fortunes has failed miserably. A vote for Harry Reid is a vote for the status quo in Washington. More of the same big spending. More of the same disdain for the job-creating private sector. Nevada just can't afford more of the same old Harry Reid. Crossroads GPS is responsible for the content of this advertising.

PA SEN, Toomey “Lifelong Democrat”
10/14
MAN: I'm a lifelong Democrat, but this year I'm voting for Pat Toomey. Washington has gotten so extreme and Joe Sestak is a big part of it. The health care law went too far, even forcing changes to my Medicare coverage. The bailouts and the spending are exploding the debt, leaving our grandkids with the bill. I'm more comfortable with Pat Toomey. He'll bring balance to Washington.

Lifelong Democrat from Pat Toomey on Vimeo.

MO-4, Hartzler, “Change for the Worse”
10/13
HARTZLER: "I'm Vicky Hartzler and I approve this message, because we deserve better." ANNCR: "Ike Skelton, on what we could do if we disagree with Nancy Pelosi's extreme agenda." SKELTON: "Stick it up your a**." ANNCR: "If we object to Skelton's vote for new energy taxes that would cost us over 50,000 jobs, and nearly double our utility bills." SKELTON: "Stick it up your a**." ANNCR: "Or Skelton's support for giving illegal immigrants welfare benefits, free education, even amnesty."

PA-11, Barletta, “It’s Been Too Long”
10/8
ANNCR: "Know a guy who wears out his welcome? Paul Kanjorski has just been around too long. Long enough to get 10 pay raises and raise taxes 150 times. Long enough to bail out his donors on Wall Street. And cost us millions of jobs. Long enough to steer millions of taxpayer dollars to his family. Paul Kanjorski. Simply long enough." KANJORSKI: "I'm Paul Kanjorski and I approve this message."

NC-8, Johnson, “Kissell’s Gone Washington”
10/14
ANNCR: Larry Kissell’s gone Washington. A politician not truthful with the facts. KISSELL: Let’s take our country back. ANNCR: Kissell’s the problem. He votes with Nancy Pelosi 96% of the time. The failed stimulus. Federal bailout. Piling up trillions in debt. Killing jobs. Kissell voted to give tax credits to firms employing foreign workers in Communist China. Now Kissell falsely attacks Harold Johnson. KISSELL: Let’s take our country back. ANNCR: You want your country back? Stop the Kissell-Pelosi agenda.

From NBC's Pete Williams
The Justice Department has asked a federal court to put a hold on the judge's order this week that declared the military's "Don't ask, don't tell" policy unconstitutional.

"The Government intends to appeal the Court's decision. During the pendency of that appeal, the military should not be required to suddenly and immediately restructure a major personnel policy that has been in place for years, particularly during a time when the Nation is involved in combat operations overseas," said Clifford Stanley, Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness in documents filed this afternoon in a California federal court. The magnitude of repealing the DADT law and policy is demonstrated by the Department's ongoing efforts to study the implications of repealing DADT."

What's more, Stanley says, "an injunction before the appeal in this case has run its course will place gay and lesbian servicemembers in a position of grave uncertainty. If the Court's decision were later reversed, the military would be faced with the question of whether to discharge any servicemembers who have revealed their sexual orientation in reliance on this Court's decision and injunction. Such an injunction therefore should not be entered before appellate review has been completed."

Hours before the first and only debate between Nevada Senate candidates Harry Reid and Sharron Angle, Reid is out with a new ad casting his Republican opponent as "wild."
A new Mason-Dixon poll released Thursday showed Angle receiving 47 percent support compared with 45 percent for Reid, within the survey's margin of error.