What's going on in national politics: Woman stomped by Rand Paul supporter; R.I. Democrat says Obama can 'shove it'

Also: Everyone's watching tight Alaska 3-way Senate race.

Just in case New York's wild races aren't enough to keep you occupied, there's an avalanche of national election news to fill the void. Mix some tea partying anger with voter disappointment in the Obama administration, and you've got plenty of suspense over whether the Republicans can wrestle control of Congress away from the Democrats.

From a stomping to a presidential "shoving it," here's a roundup of the latest national elections news:

Protester stomped by Rand Paul supporter

A debate in Lexington, Kentucky Monday night between Republican Rand Paul and Democrat Jack Conway was not without its fireworks, but for some the real show began before the debate even started.

A woman representing the liberal group Moveon.org was pushed to the ground and stomped by Rand Paul supporters outside the debate. The woman, Lauren Valle, was trying to approach Paul to give him an "employee of the month" award from big business.

A video from WDRB shows one of the men stomping on Valle's shoulder with his foot, which then lands on the side of her head before someone yells at him to stop. Lexington police are investigating.

From CNN:

"We're here to present Rand Paul with the 'Employee of the Month' award. However, his supporters were not very nice to me and my message which is the same as everyone else -- just wanted to get out here with a sign," Valle of East Falmouth, Massachusetts, told WDRB. "I got my head stepped on, so I have a bit of a headache."

» Read the full story: Woman stomped outside Kentucky debate [CNN]
» Rand Paul, Jack Conway ooze contempt at debate [Politico]


Democrat tells Obama to 'shove it'

In Rhode Island, Democratic candidate for governor Frank Caprio had some choice words for President Obama Monday after the White House announced the president would not endorse anyone in that gubernatorial race.

From The Associated Press:

In response, Caprio skipped appearing with Obama at several events as planned and angrily told WPRO-AM that the president can “take his endorsement and really shove it.’’

» R.I. Democrat rips Obama for not backing him [The Associated Press]
» R.I. Dem stands by ‘shove it’ remark to Obama [Today Show]
» What candidate Frank T. Caprio said about President Obama [The Providence Journal]


Wild in Alaska

Meanwhile, things are sure to remain ugly in Alaska's bitter three-way Senate election, The Associated Press reports. The AP calls the scope of outside money and interest in the election "virtually unprecedented."

Republican incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkoswki, who lost the primary and is running as a write-in candidate, may be the front-runner, The New York Times reports.

From The Associated Press:

Don't count on a quick resolution to the drama on Election Night. If the race turns out to be as tight as polling suggests, write-in and absentee ballots could come into play. That could put off a final tally — and the determination of the winner — for weeks.

Republican nominee Joe Miller is courting the conservative vote and seeking to draw Republican support away from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, whom he defeated in the primary. Democrat Scott McAdams is competing for on-the-fence Democrats and moderate independents. Campaigns say many voters are still undecided.

» Read the full story: Senate race in Alaska is bitter and unpredictable [The Associated Press]
» In Alaska Senate Race, Front-Runner Isn’t on Ballot [The New York Times]