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.

GOP ‘Gotcha Journalism’ Charges Throw Spotlight on Debate  —  For days now, television viewers have watched Sarah Palin unable to explain the significance of her home state's bordering Russia, unable to name a Supreme Court ruling she disagrees with, unable to name a single newspaper she reads.

McCain: Life isn't fair  —  Republican John McCain — making the rounds of the morning news shows as polls show him falling behind Democratic rival Barack Obama and his running mate losing the confidence of voters — sounded either bitter or fatalistic.  —  Asked why Obama has been rising …

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 …

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 …

The V.P. Debate: What to Watch for  —  What to watch for tonight?  —  What's not to watch?  —  The debate between Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware and Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska should be fascinating on every level — from substance to style, soup to nuts.

VP Candidates On Church-State Separation  —  CBS Evening News: Biden And Palin Answer Katie Couric's Vice-Presidential Questions … Katie Couric: Thomas Jefferson wrote about the First Amendment, building a wall of separation between church and state.  Why do you think that's so important?

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.)

Gilchrest Unloads on Know-Nothing Pols and the Rest of Us  —  Wayne Gilchrest, the nine-term Republican congressman who represents Maryland's Eastern Shore and parts of Anne Arundel County, has had it, and he's ready to talk.  —  He's had it with his own party, which he says “has become more narrow …

Judge Could Dismiss Stevens's Indictment or Declare Mistrial  —  Prosecutors Wait Until Last Minute to Disclose Potentially Exculpatory Material  —  A federal judge this morning scolded lawyers prosecuting Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens (R) on ethics charges for waiting until the last minute …

OH NO HE DIDN'T - The Mayor of Ark City performs in Blackface  —  Mel Kuhn, the Mayor of Arkansas City Kansas, won a beauty pageant fundraiser last weekend.  Kuhn participated in the Men in Tights, drag queen contest that has become an annual fund raiser for CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates.

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

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 …

Real Credibility Problems  —  Last week, I discussed Real Clear Politics' decision to exclude the Research 2000 daily tracking poll from their national averages.  After a lengthy discussion with RCP founder John McIntyre, I decided to defend them, pointing out that while RCP …

The Calm Of Obama  —  I've been amazed by it for over a year now, because I have no ounce of it in myself.  But then I like my political leaders temperamentally conservative, so I can be as radical as I like and no harm gets done.  Obama's little secret is that he isn't that cool.

U.S. jobless claims inflated by hurricanes  —  First-time filings hit highest level in seven years  —  WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — U.S. weekly jobless claims remained at their highest level in seven years, Labor Department data showed Thursday, as people hurricane-hit Louisiana and Texas filed for benefits.

Abolish the vice presidency  —  The founders messed up.  We should do away with the office.  —  Sarah Palin is the product of a design flaw — the unintended consequence of the founders' decision to create the vice presidency.  —  For two centuries, presidential nominees have used …

McCain, Bernanke: ‘Not overly pleased’  —  The stunning news about the American economy delivered in the private session that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson held with congressional leaders on Capitol Hill two weeks ago today has been described in a number of ways …

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.

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.