Hurtling Toward 2010, 10/8

The 2010 midterms are just around the corner (sort of). Here's what's happening:

A Washington Post poll has Bob McDonnell widening his lead in Virginia's 2009 gubernatorial race; Republican Kelly Ayotte is outraising Rep. Paul Hodes (D) in New Hampshire's Senate race; Gov. Charlie Crist (R) reported $2.4 million raised in the last three months in his Senate bid; Bill Clinton called New York's 23rd district race a "referendum" on President Obama's agenda in a fundraising email for Demcorat Bill Owens; Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) could be in some trouble as the House ethics panel voted to expand its investigation of him; a new Field poll shows Democrat Jerry Brown crushing the opposition in California's gubernatorial race; Rasmussen has Sen. David Vitter (R) leading Rep. Charles Melancon (D) by 10 points in his Senate reelection race; and two new polls show a tightening race between Gov. Jon Corzine (D) and Chris Christie (R) in New Jersey's 2009 gubernatorial contest.