GOP foreign policy experts cool on Palin  —  In state after state, rally after rally, Sarah Palin is generating record levels of enthusiasm among the Republican base.  Crowds chant her name, congressional candidates cite her in their ads and there are numerous reports of a surge in grass roots volunteers for the McCain campaign.

What's the Pig Deal?  —  IT'S HARD to think of a presidential campaign with a wider chasm between the seriousness of the issues confronting the country and the triviality, so far anyway, of the political discourse.  On a day when the Congressional Budget Office warned of looming deficits …

Former GOP senator calls Palin a ‘cocky wacko’  —  PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Former Rhode Island Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee has called vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin a “cocky wacko” and said her selection as John McCain's running mate has energized supporters of Democrat Barack Obama.

Critics: Under Palin, Wasilla charged rape victims for exam  —  Two state leaders lashed out at the public record of Gov. Sarah Palin on Wednesday as witnesses in a new “Alaska Mythbusters” forum coordinated by supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

McCain on Palin  —  A tough interview with a Maine reporter yesterday, in which McCain speaks on Palin's national security experience.  Uncharacteristically, he's much more at home on the domestic policy side.  —  At one point, he says that Palin “was right” on Russia and on Iran.

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?

Obama's woes have nothing to do with ‘lipstick’  —  Howard Fineman on the candidate's pride, strategy and stump speak  —  Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. gestures as he speaks during a town hall meeting in the library of Granby High School in Norfolk, Va., Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2008.

Reports that Track Palin vandalized school buses aren't true, says pal  —  Despite snowballing reports and rumors, Sarah Palin's eldest son, Track, was not part of the gang of four teenagers who criminally vandalized  —  44 Alaska school buses in 2005, a key culprit told The News.  —  “Track wasn't with me.

Gallup Daily: McCain 48%, Obama 44%  —  McCain has held significant lead for last four days  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Registered voters continue to express a slight preference for John McCain (48%) over Barack Obama (44%) in the latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking presidential trial heat.

McCain's Health Care Tax Increase  —  A new rule here: Rather than do the McCain campaign's bidding by wasting space on Senator Honor's daily lies and bilge—his constant attempts to divert attention from substantive issues—I'm going to assume that others will spend more than enough …

Republicans have hijacked 9/11  —  An American tragedy made into a political commodity  —  SPECIAL COMMENT  —  As promised, a Special Comment about our sad anniversary tomorrow.  —  Or, more correctly, what our sad anniversary tomorrow has been turned into by the presidential administration …

PALIN'S BOOK-BANNING EFFORTS, REDUX.... Here's what we know about Sarah Palin's interest in banning books.  Time reported last week that Palin asked the Wasilla librarian, Mary Ellen Baker, about the process for banning library books.  Baker was reportedly “aghast” at the question.

Sarah Palin's Myth of America  —  Sarah Palin has arrived in our midst with the force of a rocket-propelled grenade.  She has boosted John McCain's candidacy and overwhelmed the presidential process in a way that no vice-presidential pick has since Thomas Eagleton did the precise opposite …

Did McCain Tamper with the Drug Enforcement Agency to Protect His Career?  —  You can Digg this post here.  I have more video from Gosinski)  —  A whistleblower is coming forth against John and Cindy McCain, and the picture he is painting is not a pretty one.

Christian leader calls Obama “scary,” points to “Muslim roots”  —  The Muslim-peddling about Democratic nominee Barack Obama continues, mostly through lies trafficked over the Internet, but also in questions raised in polite company by well-known and influential members of the political establishment.

McCain finally answers some questions — or tries to answer some questions.  He's terrible.  —  NOTE FROM JOHN: Watch McCain about a minute and a half into the tape, when he's asked what National Security credentials Sarah Palin has.  He replies “energy.”  The reporter goes, no, I asked you about national security.

Everybody Calm Down!  Obama Is Hitting Back  —  Quit your whining, Democrats.  If Obama loses this election, it won't be because he didn't fight back.  —  There's a picture being sent around e-mail lists and posted on blogs that many a Democrat ought to bear in mind — and no, it's not another anonymous smear.