The ping-pong in the Minnesota Senate race polls continues.  Today, SurveyUSA reports that the narrowing Obama advantage over McCain in the Presidential race may be helping Sen. Coleman (R) maintain a lead over challenger Al Franken (D) -- 44 to 39 in their latest poll.   Third party candidate Dean Barkley is still pulling a significant number of votes -- 16 points in this poll -- which may be determinative in this race.

In North Carolina, Dem firm PPP puts challenger Kay Hagan (D) ahead by 7 points this morning over incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R), while declaring the Presidential race "too close to call."

In New Hampshire, cheerleading for an Obama victory, a new WMUR/UNH poll result gives challenger Jean Shaheen (D) a 48-42 lead over incumbent Sen. John Sununu (R) for the Senate.

Still, with all the poll results we've been tracking the last several weeks suggesting a significant tilt in the Democrats' favor in the Senate, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Charles Schumer (D-NY) appeared on the Sunday morning shows to downplay expectations.  Schumer thinks that the Democrats topping 60 seats may be "unlikely."  Still:

"I think we are going to have a pretty good night," Schumer said. "As for 60, that's very, very difficult. It's possible, but unlikely."

But Schumer predicted that even if Democrats fall short of the 60-vote level, they will still pick up enough seats to move legislation more effectively than this year.

"Even with 56, 57 or 58 seats, we'll be able to get a lot of things done," he said.