Palin Links Iraq to 9/11, A View Discarded by Bush  —  Gov. Sarah Palin linked the war in Iraq with the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, telling an Iraq-bound brigade of soldiers that included her son that they would “defend the innocent from the enemies who planned and carried out and rejoiced in the death of thousands of Americans.”

The Palin interview  —  It is embarrassing to have to spell this out, but for the record let me explain why Gov. Palin's answer to the “Bush Doctrine” question — the only part of the recent interview I have yet seen over here in China — implies a disqualifying lack of preparation for the job.

Obama Plans Sharper Tone as Party Frets  —  Senator Barack Obama will intensify his assault against Senator John McCain, with new television advertisements and more forceful attacks by the candidate and surrogates beginning Friday morning, as he confronts an invigorated Republican presidential ticket …

EXCERPTS: Charlie Gibson's Second Interview With Sarah Palin  —  Charlie Gibson Talks to the Republican VP Candidate Along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline … Watch Gibson's second of three interviews with Palin tonight on “Nightline” at 11:35 p.m. and much more on Friday on “Good Morning America” …

Battle for Congress Suddenly Looks Competitive  —  Democrats' double-digit lead on the “generic ballot” slips to 3 points  —  PRINCETON, NJ — A potential shift in fortunes for the Republicans in Congress is seen in the latest USA Today/Gallup survey, with the Democrats now leading …

Palin's grand sellout  —  There is so much to like about Gov. Sarah Palin.  Her story is beautiful.  Her outsider with a chip on her shoulder attitude is refreshing and bracing.  She is a woman to be admired.  Her small town values carry an appealing authenticity.  —  What makes her so appealing?

The McCain Tax Increases—Continued  —  Douglas Holtz-Eakin, a former Director of the Congressional Budget Office and current chief McCain economic advisor, is an honest man—which means he's something of a liability on the Straight Talk Express.  A few months ago, he admitted to my colleague …

Election 2008: Washington Presidential Election  —  McCain Closes to Within Two Points of Obama in Washington  —  Washington is the latest state to show a strong western surge for John McCain since he added Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to the Republican ticket.

Belittling Palin?  —  A McCain-Palin TV ad accuses Obama of being “disrespectful” of Palin, but it distorts quotes to make the case.  —  The McCain-Palin campaign has released a new TV ad that distorts quotes from the Obama campaign.  It takes words out of context to make it sound as though the Democratic ticket is belittling Palin:

Obama's Altitude Sickness  —  WASHINGTON — The Democrats are in a panic.  In a presidential race that is impossible to lose, they are behind.  Obama devotees are frantically giving advice.  Tom Friedman tells him to “start slamming down some phones.”  Camille Paglia suggests, “be boring!”

Despite Campaign Halt, Event Focuses on Political Issues  —  Even as Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.) called for a renewal of public service, it was almost politics as usual at the ServiceNation Presidential Candidates Forum in Roone Arledge Auditorium on Thursday night.