‘Thrown Away Flags’ Story False, Dem Convention Official Says  —  Days before the anniversary of September 11, on the same morning that John McCain and Barack Obama released a joint statement pledging to avoid politics in light of the anniversary of the terrorist attacks …

Alaskans Speak (In A Frightened Whisper): Palin Is “Racist, Sexist, Vindictive, And Mean”  —  “So Sambo beat the bitch!”  —  This is how Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin described Barack Obama's win over Hillary Clinton to political colleagues in a restaurant a few days …

George W. Palin  —  Frum again: … This decision is not worthy of a great power.  Whatever skills Palin may turn out to have, however fabulous a person she may turn out to be, even if she becomes the Eva Peron of Christianism, McCain … He winged this.  That's the critical, unavoidable, devastating point.

Obama rebukes Palin on earmarks  —  TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — Barack Obama made his first direct criticism of Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin on Saturday, saying she pretends to oppose spending earmarks when she actually has embraced them.  —  Speaking to 800 people …

Thanks, Guys  —  The media's attacks on Sarah Palin backfire.  —  The editors of THE WEEKLY STANDARD believe in giving credit where credit is due.  The presidential race looks a whole lot better today than it did two weeks ago.  For this, thanks are owed to two men—Barack Obama and John McCain …

Why They Hate Her  —  Sarah Palin is a smart missile aimed at the heart of the left.  —  For months John McCain has apparently been hoping to use his selection of a running mate to shake up the presidential race.  By picking Alaska governor Sarah Palin, McCain has accomplished that …

The Vanishing Republican Voter  —  I LIVE IN WASHINGTON, in a neighborhood that is home to lawyers, political consultants, television personalities and the chief executive of the TIAA-CREF pension fund.  Not exactly an abode of the superrich, but the kind of neighborhood where almost nobody does …

Analysis: Biden's wealth in his house  —  Senator benefited from 2 deals with supporters  — What's this?  —  Joe Biden likes to say he is the embodiment of the American dream — a middle-class kid who became one of the U.S. Senate's most-respected members and, now, the Democratic nominee for vice president.

An Adviser Puts His Stamp on McCain Campaign  —  ST. PAUL — It was what aides to Senator John McCain describe as probably the worst night of his campaign.  As Senator Barack Obama claimed the Democratic nomination before a cheering sea of faces on national television, Mr. McCain countered …

THOSE OF US WHO ARE ABOUT TO TIRE SWING ...  It always brings a tear to my eye when I see the Grey Lady hopping on the McCain tire swing.  But there she goes.  Yesterday the McCain campaign was all mum on the Walter Reed/Green Screen goof until deep in the evening when they released …

Inhofe says patriotism question will sink Obama  —  ST. PAUL, Minn. — U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe predicted voters' uncertainty over whether Barack Obama really loves his country will help Republicans win the White House again in November.  —  A spokeswoman for the Democratic nominee …

Loan Giant Overstated the Size of Its Capital Base  —  The government's planned takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, expected to be announced as early as this weekend, came together hurriedly after advisers poring over the companies' books for the Treasury Department concluded …

Palin's Hockey Rink Leads To Legal Trouble in Town She Led  —  WASILLA, Alaska — The biggest project that Sarah Palin undertook as mayor of this small town was an indoor sports complex, where locals played hockey, soccer, and basketball, especially during the long, dark Alaskan winters.

The Trail  —  One of the most compelling anecdotes in Sarah Palin's repertoire is that she auctioned off the Alaska governor's jet on eBay after taking office — a swift move made by a reformer hoping to clean up the excesses of her predecessor.  —  In fact, the jet did not sell on eBay.