HRH Extra: Whack-A-Mole

Competitive races are popping up in some very surprising places.

The NRCC just began direct-mail hits against Victoria Wulsin (OH 02) and CA 50's Francine Busby (remember her?). Republicans are phone banking against Charlie Brown (CA 04) and have spent nearly $500K against Jerry McNerney (CA 11) . These were hardly top targets even one month ago.

A new Mason-Dixon poll demonstrates how races are popping up in unusual territory. In CO 05, which has never elected a Democrat, Jay Fawcett (D) is tied with state Sen. Doug Lamborn (R) at 37%.

But in the races that the NRCC anticipated as top targets (PA/CT/NM 01), GOPers are looking in fighting shape. The attack ads and mailers against Democrats have had an effect. Still, there's an ever-expanding field on which they haven't yet played.

For the next 28 days, the NRCC will have to play Whack-A-Mole -- shoring up these newly vulnerable seats. But with plenty of top-tier Republican incumbents still needing cash, that may be an increasingly tough task. [JOSH KRAUSHAAR]