Dispatches from the campaign trail, October 10, 2014

• A new ad by the campaign of Republican U.S. Senate nominee Thom Tillis highlights Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan’s decision to forgo an intelligence briefing on ISIS and instead attend a fundraiser in New York.

http://youtu.be/ER2fcFiCPy8

• The Hagan-Tillis race isn’t the only Senate contest in which attendance at committee meetings is an issue. Contenders in Colorado, Iowa, and Kentucky have been taking roll, too.

• The latest Rasmussen Reports survey of North Carolina voters finds Hagan with a 48-46 lead over Tillis. The organization has changed its rating on the race from “leans Democratic” to “toss-up.”

• The Latino group Presente Action is airing Spanish-language radio ads taking Hagan and other Democratic Senate incumbents to task for urging President Obama to delay executive action on comprehensive immigration reform until after the election. The group is urging Hispanics to consider voting for other candidates.

• The D.C. publication Hotline rates the 7th Congressional District race between Republican David Rouzer, Democrat Jonathan Barfield, and Libertarian Wesley Casteen as the second most-likely nationally to switch parties. Retiring Democrat Mike McIntyre has represented the 7th District for nine terms.

• 2nd Congressional District Democratic nominee Clay Aiken recently sold his Durham home for a big loss.