Florida. Trailing narrowly in most state polls, John Kerry is breaking out liberal bête noir Joe Lieberman to help solidify support among south Florida Jews. Lieberman spent Wednesday in town-hall meetings in Miami and West Palm Beach touting Kerry's positions on Medicare and Israel while reminding voters of his own failed bid for the vice presidency in 2000. Lieberman's communications director, Matt Gobush, meanwhile, is on loan to the Democratic effort in Florida (he's been assigned to Fort Myers). And Teresa Heinz Kerry spent Tuesday in the Fort Lauderdale area pitching her husband's virtues to Native Americans. She said John Kerry would ensure increased funding for social programs directed at Indians and instill a greater respect for tribal sovereignty.

Missouri. The last poll, taken two weeks ago by the firm Research 2000, showed Democratic state auditor Claire McCaskill and Republican Secretary of State Matt Blunt running neck and neck, with 46 percent for McCaskill, 45 for Blunt, and 9 undecided. Little has happened in the race itself in these last two weeks to indicate a shift in the dynamic one way or another. But the dynamic of the presidential race could be significant in this campaign, and that might not be good news for McCaskill.