Fed Takes Steps to Aid A.I.G.  —  Major credit ratings agencies downgraded the American International Group late Monday, worsening its financial health, as Federal Reserve officials and two leading investment banks were in urgent talks to put together a $75 billion line of credit to stave off a crisis at the company.

A tanning bed in the Governor's Mansion  —  Sarah Palin brought one unusual accessory to the Alaska Governor's mansion after moving in last year: A tanning bed.  —  Al Giordano's NarcoNews first reported that Palin had the apparatus installed in the mansion in Juneau, and a spokesman …

The Ugly New McCain  —  Following his loss to George W. Bush in the 2000 South Carolina primary, John McCain did something extraordinary: He confessed to lying about how he felt about the Confederate battle flag, which he actually abhorred.  “I broke my promise to always tell the truth,” McCain said.

Why Obama's Health Plan Is Better  —  The big threat to growth in the next decade is not oil or food prices, but the rising cost of health care.  The doubling of health insurance premiums since 2000 makes employers choose between cutting benefits and hiring fewer workers.

Powell still undecided, says Obama win would be ‘electrifying’  —  (CNN) — Former Bush Secretary of State Colin Powell said Monday that he has not yet decided which candidate to back in this year's presidential race.  —  The election of an African-American president “would be electrifying …

Obama to McCain: Senator - what economy are you talking about?  —  Obama calls out McCain on his lack of knowledge on all things that are job related.  McCain can't even understand today's financial news...

New Obama ad hits McCain on pay for women  —  A new, and unreleased, Obama ad, airing (at least) in Virginia, attacks McCain for his opposition to legislation requiring women receive equal pay for equal work.  —  The ad says women are paid 77 cents on the dollar, and the female narrator says …

“What's happened to John McCain?  He's running the sleaziest ads ever.  Truly vile.”  —  “Dishonest smears that he repeats, even after it's been exposed as a lie.  Truth be damned.  A disgraceful, dishonorable campaign... It seems deception is all he has left.”  —  That's the voiceover on this new Obama ad:

Why Experience Matters  —  Philosophical debates arise at the oddest times, and in the heat of this election season, one is now rising in Republican ranks.  The narrow question is this: Is Sarah Palin qualified to be vice president?  Most conservatives say yes, on the grounds that something …

Palin won't meet with ‘Troopergate’ investigator  —  Campaign says governor won't cooperate because investigation is ‘tainted’  —  ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A campaign spokesman says Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin won't speak with an investigator hired by lawmakers to look into the firing of her public safety commissioner.

Could Obama and Barbra break a record in Beverly Hills?  —  The polls are one thing, but it sounds like Barack Obama might make progress in other ways during two ultra-rich Beverly Hills fund-raisers Tuesday.  According to Politico, the events could raise more than $9 million, which, if it happens, would be a one-day record.

Palin and the Teleprompter  —  At a fundraiser in Canton, Ohio, this evening, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin had an interesting description of her speech to the Republican convention.  —  “There Ohio was right out in front, right in front of me,” Palin said.  “The teleprompter got messed up …

Obama Rolls Out New Line of Faith Merchandise  —  God-o-Meter has learned that the Obama campaign is about to email religious supporters an annoucnement about a new line of Obama faith merchandise—bumper stickers, buttons, and signs with three different messages, featured here—along with the following note:

Obamaphiles Drowning Out Criticism Again  —  Chicago Talk Radio Host Milt Rosenberg had NRO's own David Freddoso, author of The Case Against Barack Obama, his show tonight.  Rosenberg's producer emails to say that they're again trying to silence Freddoso, just like they did when Stanly Kurtz was on recently:

On Sex-Ed Ad, McCain Is Right  —  In recent days, a consensus has developed among the Obama campaign and commentators in the press that John McCain has decided to lie his way to the White House.  Exhibit A in this new consensus is McCain's ad, released last week, claiming that Barack Obama's …

This is Weird  —  That's Mitt Romney calling McCain out on lying, following on Karl Rove's assertions that McCain has “gone too far.”  This is starting to look coordinated, and Rove doesn't speak out of turn for no reason.  Either there are some very angry conservative insiders knifing …

Pakistan Is the Problem  —  AND BARACK OBAMA SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY CANDIDATE WILLING TO FACE IT.  —  An excellent article by Fraser Nelson in London's Spectator at the end of July put it as succinctly as I have seen it: … “Don't mention the war,” as Basil insists with mounting hysteria in Fawlty Towers.

McCain Responds to Obama's Reported Undermining of the Commander-In-Chief During Wartime [Andy McCarthy]  —  The McCain Campaign has issued a statement responding to the report from Amer Taheri (see today's web briefing) that Sen. Obama secretly negotiated with the Iraqi government regarding U.S. withdrawal from Iraq.