* The Republicans threaten a lawsuit over the use of a logo…

In a sign that Election Day can’t come too soon now, the Republican National Committee has demanded that a local Democratic candidate for Congress stop breaking the law — by running a picture of its elephant logo.

Yes, folks, in a Beltway-made tempest in a teapot, the RNC wrote to Democrat Brad Schneider’s campaign and told him to “cease and desist” picturing the logo next to a shot of Robert Dold, Mr. Schneider’s opponent, in a new TV ad (below). Mr. Dold is, um, a Republican.

The latter, from RNC Associate Counsel Jon Waclawski, says it has come to his attention that the ad “displays (RNC’s) Official Elephant Logo without RNC permission.”

I posted the ad several days ago.

Sheesh.

* Bob Dold sent out a franked mailer just under the limit, which causes Brad Schneider to freak out…

A taxpayer-funded mailer from U.S. Rep. Robert Dold touting job fairs he has hosted is hitting homes in the 10th Congressional District this week while striking a nerve with Dold’s Democratic rival.

Members of Congress are prohibited from sending out public mailings with 500 or more pieces during a 90-day window leading up to an election.

But Dold’s piece, which cost less than $250, falls under an exemption in congressional franking rules because it went out to 499 or fewer homes in his north suburban district.

“This doesn’t raise any red flags on our end,” said Steve Dutton, a spokesman for the House Franking Commission, whose members include Dutton’s boss, U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.).

Still, Democrat Brad Schneider’s congressional campaign is crying foul, saying it’s improper for the Kenilworth Republican to send out the taxpayer-funded mailing alongside campaign mailers so close to the election.

* An outside group gets a big contribution from oil company, does an independent expenditure ad whacking Schneider, and Schneider complains about Dold, who had no involvement…

All of the big super PAC money that’s suddenly sloshing around this election cycle certainly poses some real questions about why certain interests are providing so much help to certain politicians.

But are things as bad as they appear, or more innocent? A political foul, or guilt by association?

Sometimes it’s hard to tell. Which leads to a real-life story about U.S. Rep. Dold, R-Winnetka, who frequently presents himself to voters as a pro-environment kind of guy, but who is being aided this week by a nearly $1 million “independent” TV ad buy funded by a group that has received a possibly record contribution from a big oil company.

Meh.