Statement of Senator John Kerry  —  As a combat veteran, I want to make it clear to anyone in uniform and to their loved ones: my poorly stated joke at a rally was not about, and never intended to refer to any troop.  —  I sincerely regret that my words were misinterpreted …

Rush's Interview with President George W. Bush  —  RUSH: Mr. President.  —  THE PRESIDENT: Hey, Rush, how are you?  —  RUSH: Never better.  It's a thrill to have you on the program today and many thanks for making time for us.  —  THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, sir, for giving me a chance to visit with you.

Poll Shows Iraq War Is Voters' Main Concern  —  A substantial majority of Americans expect Democrats to reduce or end American military involvement in Iraq if they win control of Congress next Tuesday, and say Republicans would maintain or increase troop levels to try to win the war if they hold …

Lazy and uneducated photo of the day!  —  Someone just sent me this.  I think it's too good to be true, but you can inspect the full-sized version yourself by clicking the image.  —  If it is a photoshop, it's awfully well done.  —  Update: Readers think it's real.  I concur.

In Lamont Race, Bitter Democrats Do Pre-Mortems  —  Lieberman Seems to Hug Big Lead in Connecticut; Ned Speaks in Past Tense; Lefties Blame Wolfson; Brazile: Bloggers 'Give You Wind But Not Sail'  —  Ned Lamont, Connecticut's Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, crossed the rainy street alone.

Republican House leader blames troops for Iraq mess  —  According to the #2 Republican in the US House, Congressman John Boehner, the Iraq mess is all the fault of the US troops on the ground in Iraq.  Boehner only moments ago had the following to say about who is to blame for Iraq:

Partisan Trends: Dems Peaking at the Right Time  —  In the final full month before Election 2006, the number of people identifying themselves as Republicans has fallen to its lowest level since we began reporting this measure of partisan trends in January 2004.

72 hours to victory?  Maybe not  —  A campaign claiming it was going to "win on turnout" used to be regarded as a certain loser.  Suddenly, it's not a joke anymore.  Republican operatives are claiming their 72-hour program can hold back this year's wave.  —  Of course, turnout can be vital …

Allen's Fumbles, Romney's Gain  —  Even before the votes are counted, over the Republican Party a "thick darkness broodeth" — words from a Victorian hymn, for a party with a Victorian tendency.  But one Republican, who is not running for anything this year, will emerge from this bruising season with enlarged prospects.

MARYLAND COURT'S INTERPRETATION OF RAPE LAW IS PREDICATED ON THE NOTION OF WOMEN AS CHATTEL  —  Yesterday a mid-level state appellate court in Maryland interpreted Maryland's common law in such a way as to preclude women from withdrawing consent to sex after penetration has occurred.

Massachusetts' botched joke  —  It's hard to know where to start with our junior senator's botched joke, about dumb people getting stuck in Iraq.  —  The first person who comes to mind for me is Marine Cpl. Matt Boisvert.  When I met him at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in late 2004 …