Here are today's top political and election stories, starting with that WashPost/ABC Poll:

"A Year Before '08 Election, Public's Theme Is Discontent" (Gary Langer, ABC News) Nearly three-quarters of Americans say the country is on the wrong track, President Bush and Congress wallow together in low approval ratings, and support for both parties is down, though for Republicans more so than Democrats. Happy Monday.

"Frustration Builds for Democrats" (Evan Perez and Jackie Calmes, Wall Street Journal) Everyone seems to be down on the GOP these days, but there are benefits for being out of power, like not having to come through on any campaign pledges -- an issue dividing Democrats from their activist base.

"'Rudy' Scores Points on New Hampshire Tour" (Joseph Curl, Washington Times) Go on the road with Rudy as he travels the state of New Hampshire winning converts, whose enthusiasm for the mayor is so great that they say things like: "[Rudy's] pretty much an honest man." A ringing endorsement!

"Thompson Defends Fundraiser With Criminal Record" (Matthew Mosk, Washington Post) Following Sunday's news that a fundraiser for Fred Thompson has a criminal past that includes drug dealing, the former senator defended him as a "good man" and a "friend." Thompson, however, also said that Philip Martin's future with the campaign was uncertain.

"Different Rules When a Rival Is a Woman?" (Adam Nagourney and Patrick Healy, New York Times) So were the seven men on stage at last Tuesday's Democratic debate ganging up on the one woman because she is a woman or because she's a 20-point frontrunner for the nomination? On the left, the battle rages.

"Huckabee Builds Evangelical Support" (David Jackson, USA Today) Is it any surprise that a Baptist minister is energizing evangelical voters? Perhaps not, but Mike Huckabee will need them if he has any hope at all.

"Watergate-Era Fundraising Returns With Clinton, Obama, Giuliani" (Jonathan Salant, Bloomberg) With so many candidates declining public financing, 2008 might be the first race since Richard Nixon won his second term in 1972 in which both parties' nominees will have been completely financed by private sources.

"Fred Survives 'Meet' " (Jonathan Martin, The Politico) Aside from fielding questions on his fundraising friend, Fred Thompson had a pretty good day taking the heat from Tim Russert.

"Obama Plays Convincing Obama in a Skit Mocking Clinton" (Katharine Seelye, New York Times) Reading about Barack Obama's performance on Saturday Night Live, the thought came: Why couldn't Obama have done this for real last Tuesday?

Get these and today's other election stories at RCP's Politics and Election Page.