Holtz-Eakin: McCain helped create BlackBerry  —  Asked what work John McCain did as Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee that helped him understand the financial markets, the candidate's top economic adviser wielded visual evidence: his BlackBerry.  —  “He did this,” Douglas Holtz-Eakin …

McCain blames Wall Street; Biden blames Bush, McCain  —  (CNN) — Sen. John McCain said Tuesday that American workers are “the fundamental strength” of the U.S. economy and that the country will rebound with their help.  —  McCain softened his earlier comments that “the fundamentals of the American economy are strong.”

What is truly frightening about Sarah Palin  —  TEL AVIV - It was in the taxicab this morning that it finally struck me about Sarah Palin.  —  I get it.  I get that millions of Americans have a crying need for someone to stand up and say the things that Sarah Palin has been telling them.

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

IF OBAMA LOSES.  —  In this weekend's Washington Post, Randall Kennedy considers the effect of an Obama loss on the black community: … There's been a some racist fearmongering from the usual suspects about riots about the aftermath of an Obama loss (something that is extremely unlikely).

Why The Lack Of Respect For The Netroots?  —  Matt Stoller and Chris Bowers discuss the Netroots and its actions.  Bowers uses the provocative title “Why Should Anyone Respect The Netroots?”  It is a good question.  I know I personally lost a lot of respect for the Netroots in the past 2 years.

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.

With White Support, McCain Nips At Obama's Heels In NJ, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Women Stay With Dem, But Men Move To GOP  —  Fueled by a surge of support from white voters, Republican Sen. John McCain has narrowed a 10-point gap and now trails Democratic Sen. Barack Obama 48 …

OBAMA BOOM ECONOMY: RECORD BANK IN BEV HILLS, $28,500 A PLATE!  —  The nation's financials may be in a spiral, but cash is flowing into the Obama campaign faster than Marvin Hamlisch can play “Niagara”!  —  Yesterday, Obama declared how we are in “the most serious financial crisis since the Great Depression.”

JUST THINKING  —  Let me get this straight.  John McCain's top economic advisor, former Sen. Phil Gramm, is the guy who authored the deregulation law that most agree is the ultimate cause of today's financial meltdown.  Tomorrow's and probably next week's too.  But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Obama camp hits back at Iraq double-talk claim  —  PUEBLO, Colorado (AFP) — Barack Obama's White House campaign angrily denied Monday a report that he had secretly urged the Iraqis to postpone a deal to withdraw US troops until after November's election.  —  In the New York Post …

McCain Gains Not Limited to Red States  —  Obama advisor David Axelrod is quoted in today's Washington Post article by Dan Balz and Peter Slevin: … An interesting claim.  Let's take a look at the data based on state polls, rather than national.  —  Among the strong Republican states …