Kerry Apologizes, Calls Remarks a 'Botched Joke'  —  Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) issued a new apology today for a "botched joke" that has been interpreted as a slap at U.S. troops, saying he did not intend to disparage any service members.  —  The apology, in a written statement issued this afternoon …

PENTAGON LOOKING INTO LEAK OF CLASSIFIED INTEL TO NEW YORK TIMES  —  Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, laughs at a town hall meeting at the Pentagon.  —  Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, laughs at a town hall meeting at the Pentagon.  —  WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is looking …

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 …

Olbermann's Special Comment : There is no line this President has not crossed — nor will not cross — to keep one political party, in power.  —  Tonight we got another one of Keith's special comments and this one was another top-notch job.  Olbermann left no stone unturned while going through …

Dobbs misrepresented Kerry's remarks, as CNN ignored AP report supporting Kerry's explanation … Leading off the October 31 edition of CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight, host Lou Dobbs misrepresented Sen. John F. Kerry's (D-MA) remarks during an October 30 speech at a campaign rally in Pasadena, California.

Missouri ACORN Workers Indicted, 35,000 Questionable Forms!  —  35,000 Questionable Registration Forms!  —  Yes, you read that correctly...35,000 questionable registration forms!  —  Kansas City election officials said this was the most irresponsible and extensive voter registration abuse in Missouri they had seen.

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.

US issues Lebanon 'plot' warning  —  The United States has said there is "mounting evidence" that Syria, Iran and Hezbollah are planning to topple the Lebanese government.  —  The White House said Syria hoped to stop the formation of an international tribunal to try suspects in the killing of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri.

Columnist Coulter in hot water over voting  —  WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (AP) — Conservative columnist Ann Coulter has refused to cooperate in an investigation into whether she voted in the wrong precinct, so the case will probably be turned over to prosecutors, Palm Beach County's elections chief said Wednesday.

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 …

Iran 'wrecked kidnap deal with bribe'  —  Israel has accused Iran of scuppering attempts to win the release of Gilad Shalit, the Israeli corporal captured by Palestinian militants near Gaza, by paying the militant Palestinian Islamic group Hamas £30 million not to agree to a prisoner exchange.

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:

The blame game scenarios  —  Leadership lineups will likely undergo a major face-lift after the midterms  —  WASHINGTON -  —  Chuck Todd  —  There are three potential outcomes when this year's midterm elections come to a close:  — Scenario I: Democrats ride a wave of discontent …

Substance in Red Wine Extends Life of Mice  —  Can you have your cake and eat it?  Is there a free lunch after all, red wine included?  Researchers at the Harvard Medical School and the National Institute on Aging report that a natural substance found in red wine, known as resveratrol …

Casey defends Kerry, but campaign stop is called off  —  PHILADELPHIA - Democratic Senate candidate Bob Casey cautiously defended Sen. John Kerry on Wednesday, saying controversial remarks he made about troops in Iraq were a mistake that his Republican opponent was trying to use to revive a desperate campaign.

We Owe it to Our Troops to Return to the Real Issue of the Election  —  The American public should simply accept no distractions.  In our democracy, it is our duty to hold our elected leaders accountable.  We do it at the ballot box.  And we should do it not on the basis of personalities or stereotypes, but on the basis of results.