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.

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.

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 …

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 …

In Candidates, 2 Approaches to Wall Street  —  John McCain pointed to greed on Wall Street, and Barack Obama linked problems to lax regulation.

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 …

Obama's character assassins target another National Review journalist  —  David Freddoso attempted to appear on Milt Rosenberg's WGN radio show last night, and just as when Stanley Kurtz tried to talk on the same show, the Barack Obama campaign organized a disruption of the show.

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 …

Poll: McCain Fast Approaching Obama Among New York State Voters  —  New York is on its way to becoming a battleground in this year's presidential election, with Senator McCain rapidly dissolving Senator Obama's lead in the Empire State, according to a new poll.

Radio host suspended for airing anti-Palin protesters' numbers  —  Anchorage AM radio host Eddie Burke has been suspended for a week for broadcasting the phone number of women involved in organizing a protest against Sarah Palin.  —  The women later received threatening phone calls.

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 …

Lehman bankruptcy: In capitalism, failure is not a dirty word  —  My reaction to Lehman Brothers' declaring of Chapter 11 bankruptcy and the refusal of Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson and others to take extraordinary Bear Stearns-like measures for the government to prop the firm up can be summed up in three words: It's about time!

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...