Stabenow focuses on campaign trail

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP)--   Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow is keeping Republican opponent Pete Hoekstra at arm's length a month before the election.

Instead, she's focusing on issues such as farming and manufacturing that she says appeal to voters across the Michigan political spectrum.

The two-term incumbent released new television ads this week highlighting her role as chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, which this summer approved a $500 billion farm and food bill that cleared the Senate but is hung up in the House.

Neither ad mentions Hoekstra. The former congressman's campaign is meanwhile posting Internet spots accusing Stabenow of supporting higher taxes while blaming her for Michigan job losses.

Whether they'll face off directly remains to be seen. With time running short, the two campaigns have not agreed on a debate schedule.