Analysis: Palin's words carry racial tinge … WASHINGTON (AP) - By claiming that Democrat Barack Obama is “palling around with terrorists” and doesn't see the U.S. like other Americans, vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin targeted key goals for a faltering campaign.

Minnesota Poll: Obama leaps ahead of McCain  —  The Democrat's lead in the state is tied to the economy, the debate and new party strength.  —  Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has opened up a commanding lead in Minnesota over Republican John McCain, according to a new Star Tribune Minnesota Poll.

Frank talk of Obama and race in Virginia  —  As Obama supporters push to win the dead-even battleground state, they are talking directly about race, betting that the best way to put neighbors at ease is to open up.  —  WHITEWOOD, VA. — The isolated towns of Virginia's Appalachian coal region …

War on Taliban cannot be won, says army chief  —  Britain's most senior military commander in Afghanistan has warned that the war against the Taliban cannot be won.  Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith said the British public should not expect a “decisive military victory” but should be prepared for a possible deal with the Taliban.

Obama's ‘Good Will’ Hunting  —  From the magazine issue dated Oct 13, 2008  —  The Obama campaign has shattered all fund-raising records, raking in $458 million so far, with about half the bounty coming from donors who contribute $200 or less.  Aides say that's an illustration of a truly democratic campaign.

59% Would Vote to Replace Entire Congress  —  Congress was front and center in the national news last week and the American people were far from impressed.  If they could vote to keep or replace the entire Congress, 59% of voters would like to throw them all out and start over again.

Hilarious Example of Media Bias  —  You've got to watch this video.  CNN's Soledad O' Brien ran a focus group of self declared Republicans, Democrats and undecideds during the Palin/Biden debate.  —  Soledad asked them immediately after the debate, “How many thought Joe Biden won the debate tonight?”

Ifill: Palin ‘blew me off’ during the debate.  —  During the vice presidential debate on Thursday, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin announced that she “may not answer the questions that either the moderator or you want to hear.”  In fact, “On at least 10 occasions, Palin gave answers that were nonspecific …

Obama clinches on Rove map  —  With 30 days until Nov. 4, Karl Rove projects that Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) would get at least 273 electoral votes - three more than are needed to win - if the presidential election were held today.  —  But Rove warns that this race is “susceptible to rapid changes …

McCain's brother says N. Va. ‘Communist country’  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican presidential candidate John McCain's brother made an apparent joke at a campaign rally this weekend that might not play well in parts of newly competitive Virginia.  —  Joe McCain, speaking at an event …

Porn producer invokes the Bush/Yoo defense — unsuccessfully  —  (updated below)  —  On Friday in Tampa, Florida, Paul F. Little was sentenced by a federal judge to 3 years and 10 months in a federal prison after being convicted of the grave and terrible crime of distributing pornography …