Obama and '60s Bomber: A Look Into Crossed Paths  —  CHICAGO — At a tumultuous meeting of anti-Vietnam War militants at the Chicago Coliseum in 1969, Bill Ayers helped found the radical Weathermen, launching a campaign of bombings that would target the Pentagon and United States Capitol.

Dick Cheney, Role Model  —  In all the talk about the vice-presidential debate, there was an issue that did not get much attention but kept nagging at us: Sarah Palin's description of the role and the responsibilities of the office for which she is running, vice president of the United States.

With One Month To Go: Why McCain Will Close and Win  —  Because the country cannot afford the greatest gamble in its modern history at this moment in time.  —  A confrontation with Iran looms and instability in Pakistan grows.  The Islamist threat has been beaten back in Iraq …

Obama drops hidden ‘maverick’ in mail  —  It may be Palin's favorite term for McCain, but the Obama camp is sneaking in “maverick” onto a mail piece.  —  An eagle-eyed Minnesota reader sends in a piece of Obama greeting voters outside of what looks like a convenience store.  Note the cigarette sign on the door.

Gallup Daily: Obama Maintains Significant Margin  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Gallup Poll Daily tracking from Oct. 1-3 finds 50% of registered voters supporting Barack Obama, and 42% John McCain, for president.  —  Obama has now held a statistically significant lead over McCain for the last eight days …

Catholic Church Is Riven by Internal Debate  —  As the Roman Catholic church observes its annual “respect life” Sunday in this heated presidential election season, the unusually pitched competition for the Catholic voters is setting off a new round of skirmishes over the application of the church's teachings.

Franken bypasses Coleman as voters react to attack ads  —  DFL U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken has moved into his first solid lead over incumbent Republican Norm Coleman, according to a new Star Tribune Minnesota Poll.  —  The survey, conducted Tuesday through Thursday …

Obama gaining crucial ground  —  Polling shifts in some key states  —  With 31 days until the election, Democrat Barack Obama's road to the White House is widening, and Republican John McCain's electoral path is narrowing.  —  The McCain campaign's decision this week to abandon Democratic-leaning Michigan …

What's The Matter With Harry?  —  One of the more curious — but not unprecedented — incidents in the last couple of weeks involved Harry Reid.  The Wall Street Journal explains: … But this wasn't the only such incident: … All of this raises the question: are they trying …