McCain finds it tough without Palin  —  PHILADELPHIA - Republican presidential candidate John McCain cut short his first public appearance without running-mate Sarah Palin after chanting supporters of Democratic rival Barack Obama interrupted his speech.  —  After lunching with a roundtable …

Obama on Letterman: If That's What I'd Meant, Palin Would Be the Lipstick, 'McCain's Failed Policies' the Pig  —  In an interview on the “Late Show with David Letterman” to air later tonight, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., answers some questions on the lipstick controversy.

McCain Camp Hits Obama On More Than One Front  —  Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign launched a broadside against Sen. Barack Obama yesterday, accusing him of a sexist smear, comparing his campaign to a pack of wolves on the prowl against the GOP vice presidential pick …

The American Idol candidate  —  I think I might be able to explain some of Sara Palin's appeal.  She's the “American Idol” candidate.  Consider.  What defines an “American Idol” finalist?  They're good-looking, work well on television, have a sunny personality, are fierce competitors …

DAVID FRUM: The Democrats' Credibility Gap  —  Bob Shrum tells us that John McCain and Sarah Palin are falling short in their populism.  Nobody has deployed the rhetoric of populism more ferociously and more often than Bob Shrum, so his assessment carries weight.

Biden: Hillary a Better Pick Than Me  —  ABC News' Matthew Jaffe reports: Sen. Barack Obama's, D-Ill., vice presidential nominee, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., Wednesday said that Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., might have been a better pick for the position than him.

Squad of G.O.P. Aides Prepares Palin for Interviews  —  Two weeks ago, People magazine was granted an exclusive interview with Senator John McCain's new running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, who spoke about motherhood and career, life in Alaska and the historic nature of her candidacy.

Misery Loves Democrats  —  It has come to our attention that a large number of Democrats have gone completely nuts about Barack Obama's presidential campaign.  —  He's going to lose!  Sarah Palin is getting all the attention!  The Republicans are so mean!  Why isn't he tougher?

Palin's earmarks: Not just for the halibut  —  Senator John McCain recently told reporters that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has “learned that earmarks are bad.”  —  But not that bad, apparently.  According to a “summary of requests for federal appropriations” posted to her budget office's website earlier …

On 7th Anniversary Of Attacks, White House Claims Bin Laden Was Not The ‘Mastermind’ of Sept. 11  —  Tomorrow marks the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.  In a press conference today, a reporter asked White House Press Secretary Dana Perino about the administration's ongoing efforts …

Bush Said to Give Orders Allowing Raids in Pakistan  —  WASHINGTON — President Bush secretly approved orders in July that for the first time allow American Special Operations forces to carry out ground assaults inside Pakistan without the prior approval of the Pakistani government, according to senior American officials.

Joe Biden and the Incredible Lightness of Being  —  Watching Joe Biden is better than examining the polls or listening to talking heads, since he instantaneously reflects cockiness, aggression, bombast, depression, and loss of confidence, predicated on the emotional pulse of the campaign.

Obama Can't Win Against Palin  —  Of all the advantages Gov. Sarah Palin has brought to the GOP ticket, the most important may be that she has gotten into Barack Obama's head.  How else to explain Sen. Obama's decision to go one-on-one against “Sarah Barracuda,” captain of the Wasilla High state basketball champs?

All Beliefs Welcome, Unless They are Forced on Others  —  Belief in god, like getting pregnant, is a private matter between consenting adults (or one consenting adult and one or more deities) and is no one else's business.  I am on record in this blog (and have not budged an inch) as not objecting to any candidate's religious views.

Ethics Adviser Warned Palin About Trooper Issue  —  Letter Described Situation as ‘Grave,’ Called for Apology  —  ANCHORAGE, Alaska — An informal adviser who has counseled Gov. Sarah Palin on ethics issues urged her in July to apologize for her handling of the dismissal …

McCain-Palin Distorts Our Finding  —  Those attacks on Palin that we debunked didn't come from Obama.  —  FACTCHECK.ORG  —  A McCain-Palin ad has FactCheck.org calling Obama's attacks on Palin “absolutely false” and “misleading.”  That's what we said, but it wasn't about Obama.

Payback: GOP points to Biden daughter  —  Call it Palin Payback.  —  After Sarah Palin's daughter, Bristol, her teenage pregnancy, and her high school boyfriend were run through the media wringer last week, Republicans are now pointing to Joe Biden's daughter, Ashley, to make the case …