Skepticism of Palin Growing, Poll Finds  —  With the vice presidential candidates set to square off today in their only scheduled debate, public assessments of Sarah Palin's readiness have plummeted, and she may now be a drag on the Republican ticket among key voter groups, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Obama Makes McCain Very Uncomfortable  —  Let the record reflect that Barack Obama made the approach to John McCain tonight.  —  As the two shared the Senate floor tonight for the first time since they won their party nominations, Obama stood chatting with Democrats on his side of the aisle …

Kill the bailout: Operation Hold The Line  —  The massive, unprecedented trillion-dollar-plus (remember, they just pulled the figure from thin air) Bailout Crap Sandwich With Sugar On Top returns to the House.  A vote is expected on Friday.  I keep hearing and reading that public opposition …

McCain on the bailout bill he supported last night: “This bill is putting us on the brink of economic disaster”  —  John McCain was on “Morning Joe” a few minutes ago to talk mostly about the bailout bill.  His answers were, as usual, discombobulated as he ranted about Washington (as if he hasn't served in D.C. for 26 years.)

33 days - Chuck Todd sees race ‘at a tipping point’  —  Newsday cover: “Senate to House: BAIL'S IN YOUR COURT - Sweetened rescue bill clears hurdle, but are there enough votes in the House?” ...  The Obama Channel (really) ... Debate Day II ... Phish reuniting

Sweetened bill lures new votes  —  Minnesota Rep. Jim Ramstad finally has a strong chance to win a career-long fight: equal treatment for mental illness in health care coverage.  But victory won't come cheap: It'll be about $700 billion, to be precise.  —  That's the cost of the bailout package Ramstad opposed on Monday.

Not-So-Secret Handshake  —  It was Senator Barack Obama who crossed the aisle.  —  On Wednesday evening, as the senators gathered to vote on the $700 billion bailout package, Mr. Obama walked over to the Republican side of the chamber to extend a greeting to Senator John McCain.

Bailout Bull's-Eye for Kids' Arrow-Makers' Tax Break  —  Oct. 1 (Bloomberg) — Rose City Archery Inc., an Oregon company that makes arrows used by children, hit a bull's-eye with Senate legislation that would rescue Wall Street banks.  —  Senators attached a provision repealing a 39-cent excise tax …

More Data Shows Obama Battleground Strength  —  From latest TIME/CNN state polls:  —  FLORIDA: Obama 51, McCain 47  —  MINNESOTA: Obama 54, McCain 43  —  MISSOURI: Obama 49, McCain 48  —  NEVADA: Obama 51, McCain 47  —  VIRGINIA: Obama 53, McCain 44 … Get The Page delivered to your inbox.

McCain criticizes Ifill  —  Hours ahead of the vice presidential debate, Sen John McCain (R-Ariz.) criticized the selection of PBS' Gwen Ifill as moderator because she is writing a book called “The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama.”  —  “Frankly, I wish they had picked …

Florida GOP meets in secret as Obama passes McCain in polls  —  TALLAHASSEE — Florida Republican leaders hastily convened a top secret meeting this week to grapple with Sen. John McCain's sagging performance in this must-win state.  —  Their fears were confirmed Wednesday when four …

So Why's Huck An Early '12 Frontrunner?  —  It's very early to assume that Obama wins, but if he doesn't, expect the GOP to engage in a circular firing squad.  Who's the frontrunner?  —  The betting money is on Mitt Romney for his governing experience, talented pool of political operatives …

October remains the month for political surprises  —  Featured Topics:  —  AP - In this Oct. 26, 1972 file photo, then presidential adviser Dr. Henry Kissinger tells a White House news ...  BOSTON - Heading into the final weekend of the 2004 presidential campaign, John Kerry was feeling …

DEMOCRACY ALLIANCE MEMO DETAILS DEM PLAN TO “EDUCATE THE IDIOTS” AND TARGET MINORITIES  —  In a confidential internal memorandum obtained by Face The State (PDF), the Colorado Democracy Alliance outlines a roster of “operatives” who worked for Democratic victory in the 2006 general election.

Rangel's beach trip got ethics thumbs-up  —  The ethics committee approved a trip Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) took to an Antigua beach resort late last year — an excursion that critics say was paid for by lobbyists.  —  Last November, Rangel, his son Steven and a top aide, George Dalley …

Stevens' lawyers seek mistrial, jury dismissed for the day  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The corruption trial of Sen. Ted Stevens has been thrown into disarray by a defense demand for a mistrial.  —  Judge Emmet Sullivan sent the jury home for the day on Thursday after the veteran Alaska lawmaker's …

First, Let's Stabilize Home Prices  —  We are in a vicious cycle: falling housing values cause losses on securities, which reduce bank capital, thereby tightening lending and causing house prices to fall further.  The cycle has spread beyond housing, but housing is the place to fix it.