Independents Favor Democrats Over Republicans  —  Poll Finds Votes Motivated by War Pessimism, Dissatisfation With GOP  —  Two weeks before midterm elections, Republicans are losing the battle for independent voters, who now strongly favor Democrats on the major issues facing the country …

Debate Madness  —  The debate was very high temperature from the get — take a look at the YouTube of Lamont supporters marching with the Kiss Float beforehand.  There were people in the debate hall who were singing and distrupting both Lieberman and Lamont, and they were evidently Lyndon LaRouchites …

Bush's New Tack Steers Clear of 'Stay the Course'  —  President Bush and his aides are annoyed that people keep misinterpreting his Iraq policy as "stay the course."  A complete distortion, they say.  "That is not a stay-the-course policy," White House press secretary Tony Snow declared yesterday.

Rush Limbaugh attacks Michael J. Fox: " ...he was either off the medication or he was acting.  He is an actor, after all."  —  Rush Limbaugh will say anything to attack anyone who challenges George Bush and his policies.  This time, his target is Michael J. Fox.  Meds are something Rush does have a little experience with.

A Jim Webb fib?  —  There's a lot to admire about Jim Webb.  He's a bonafide war hero who parlayed his wartime experiences into a successful career as a novelist and movie producer that made him millions.  He even managed to wrangle a load of Republican political appointments to enhance his stature.

Rice Sees Bright Spot In China's New Role Since N. Korean Test  —  President Bush came into office six years ago deeply skeptical of Chinese intentions, casting doubt on the idea advanced by the Clinton administration that there could be a "strategic partnership" between China and the United States.

Olbermann's Special Comment on GOP Fearmongering  —  Keith issued arguably his most powerful Special Comment yet tonight.  This time he takes on the GOP's newest fearmongering ad which quotes Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri superimposed over pictures of explosions with the sound of a ticking bomb in the background.

New poll shows Allen with narrow lead over Webb  —  RICHMOND — U.S. Sen. George Allen has ended a two-month freefall in voter support and regained a narrow lead in his re-election bid against Democrat Jim Webb, according to a new poll.  —  Allen drew 47 percent support and Webb received 43 percent …

Active-Duty Troops Launch Campaign to Press Congress to End U.S. Occupation of Iraq  —  65 Members to Send "Appeals for Redress" Under the Military Whistle-blower Protection Act  —  Contact: Trevor Fitzgibbon, 202-246-5303, or Alex Howe, or Laura Gross, 202-822-5200, for Fenton Communications

Bush says he uses "the Google."  —  Watch it:  —  Digg It!  —  Transcript:

The Economic Miracle as an Economic Mirage  —  WHATEVER happened to the good old days of cradle-to-grave security — of a steady job, a lifetime pension and paid-for health care along the way?  This is the question at the heart of "The Great Risk Shift" (Oxford University Press, $26) …