Ground Game: Meanwhile in the Democratic presidential contest this week…

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It’s easy to focus on the GOP field this week with Monday’s nationally televised forum, the primary’s first debate on Thursday, plus some drama in between on who would be on stage. But the bigger news this week so far as been in the Democratic primary, where the race might be fundamentally shifting.

First, there is Vice President Joe Biden’s potential entry into the contest, and a new deadline for him to make a decision: September. His entry could hurt Hillary Rodham Clinton if many Democrats view him as a serious (non-socialist) option for the party’s nominee. But there’s also a chance it could also help her by further splitting the anti-Clinton vote.

Second, Clinton’s poll numbers are faltering. She is now losing to Republicans in key swing states like Iowa, Colorado, and Virginia. Nationally, polls show she is less trustworthy than President Barack Obama was at any point in his administration. Most recently, a WMUR Granite State Poll showed Clinton’s main rival, SenatorBernie Sanders, just six points behind her in New Hampshire –the closest he has ever been in so-called “Clinton Country.” (The same New Hampshire poll in late July 2007, had Clinton leading Obama by 8 points.)

Also this week, Clinton went up with her first television ads — $2 million in Iowa and New Hampshire. How long Clinton will stay with these ads, and if they will have any impact, could suggest something about the health of Clinton’s campaign and candidacy.

By comparison, whatever changes or shifts are happening or will happen in the GOP field this week will probably be marginal. Donald Trump remains frontrunner nationally and in New Hampshire. Ohio Governor John Kasich’s rise and Rick Perry’s slide in national polls are all within the margin of error.

New Hampshire
Here today: No one

Chris Christie talks faith, birth control in the N.H. Union Leader: “N.J. Gov. Chris Christie talked about his faith, and his use of birth control, during another wide-ranging town hall meeting Tuesday in Manchester.

‘I’m a Catholic, but I’ve used birth control, and not just the rhythm method, ok,’ Christie said. ‘My church has a teaching against birth control. Does that make me an awful Catholic? Because I believe and practice that function during part of my life? I don’t think so.’

The Republican presidential hopeful spoke about his personal experiences in connection with religion in response to a question that included biblical references.”

Lines of sight: It’s early, but there are some things we already know about the 2016 race in the Concord Monitor: “Amy Walter, national editor for the Cook Political Report and a frequently tapped political analyst, stopped by the home of Arnie Arnesen in Concord last week for a discussion on the dynamics of the 2016 presidential race. The hour-long conversation covered topics ranging from electoral demographics to campaign finance.”

NH Executive Council faces showdown vote over Planned Parenthood contracts on NH1: “An executive councilor is calling on Governor Maggie Hassan to pull family planning contracts up for a vote [Wednesday] for two Planned Parenthood clinics in Manchester and Claremont. [David] Wheeler cites the secret video showing a national Planned Parenthood official taking about the sale of fetal body parts for profit.

‘There is no evidence and no allegation that Planned Parenthood of Northern New England engages in even voluntary tissue donation,’ Gov. Maggie Hassan says in response to Wheeler’s letter.”

Fiorina schedules 11 New Hampshire stops in five days later this month on WMUR-TV: “Carly Fiorina has spent 20 days in New Hampshire so far this year, but will soon boost that number to 25.”

Iowa
Here today: Martin O’Malley

Jim Webb’s Iowa director really doesn’t like Hillary Clinton in the Washington Post: “Since launching his presidential campaign a month ago, former Virginia senator Jim Webb has been lying low. While he’s in Iowa and New Hampshire for three events this week, he’s not been a consistent presence on the campaign trail. And he has yet to take a combative stance against any of the other Democratic primary candidates. But Joe Stanley, the director of his Iowa campaign, has not been so shy. He’s repeatedly attacked former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley on Twitter.”

Scott Walker announces Iowa endorsements in the Des Moines Register: “Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker announced Tuesday a long list of Iowa supporters, including many current and former elected officials.”

South Carolina
Here today: No one

Democratic primary candidate Martin O’Malley stops in Columbia: ‘People are looking for alternatives’ in the Charleston Post and Courier: “Democratic presidential primary hopeful Martin O’Malley walked into a popular coffee shop in the state’s capital Monday but didn’t turn many heads.

Customers of the shop, which is popular with South Carolina’s politicos, stared discreetly as the former Baltimore mayor and governor of Maryland greeted those who recognized him. It’s an issue O’Malley knows he has to overcome if he is to succeed against his better-known rivals, former Secretary of State Hillary Clintonand U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders.”

Draft Biden adds South Carolina support in the Wilmington News Journal: “The Super PAC urging Vice President Joe Biden to enter the 2016 presidential race is already picking up supporters since the Sunday addition of Josh Alcorn, the former political and finance director for the late Beau Biden.

Dick Harpootlian, a longtime Joe Biden supporter who was chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party, told the Associated Press he is donating $10,000 to Draft Biden and was prepared to raise additional money for the organization.”

National Headlines

NY Times: Lineup finalized for Republican Fox News debate

National Journal: Charting What Separated the Winners From the Losers in the GOP Debate

Politico: The Fox News ‘Nerve Factor’

Washington Post: Jeb Bush scrambles to deal with ‘women’s health’ comments fallout

Bloomberg: Trump Likes Volcker — and His Rule

Washington Post: O’Malley says a Biden presidential bid would be good for the Democratic Party

NY Times: Friends of Joe Biden Worry a Run for President Could Bruise His Legacy

Bloomberg: Walker, 47, Urges Retirement ‘Reforms’ for People His Age

Follow @BostonGlobe’s 2016 team: @JamesPindell, @Akjohnson1922,@JOSreports, @MViser, @AnnieLinskey, @TracyJan, @GlobeRowland,@GlobeKranish, @ShiraCenter and @FeliceBelman.

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