Palin Met With Boos at Flyers' Opener  —  When Sarah Palin dropped the ceremonial first puck at the Flyers' opener on Saturday night at the Wachovia Center, she was greeted by resounding (almost deafening) boos.  Ed Snider, owner of the Flyers, had her introduced to the crowd more as a hockey mom …

Polls aside, Pa. remains a battleground  —  PHILADELPHIA - Pennsylvania hasn't voted Republican for president since 1988.  Democrats have increased their registration numbers here by more than a half-million over the past year and Barack Obama has a double-digit lead in the polls.

McCain tussles with Palin over whipping up a mob mentality  —  Video: the second presidential debate in 10 easy minutes  —  With his electoral prospects fading by the day, Senator John McCain has fallen out with his vice-presidential running mate about the direction of his White House campaign.

Daley reins in radicals — the Chicago Way  —  Turn on the TV news when John McCain is picking up undecided voters by invoking Barack Obama's relationship with unrepentant American terrorist William Ayers and, invariably, some liberal talking head will sniff in disgust and say Ayers is no big deal where Obama comes from.

DARKER AND DARKER  —  We've been having a fascinating dialog with readers in response to last night's post about those exchanges John McCain had with those rabid supporters in Minnesota.  I want to post some of your emails.  But before that I want to go back to this question of just what that female …

Are We Rome?  Tu Betchus!  —  With modernity crumbling, our thoughts turn to antiquity.  —  The decline and fall of the American Empire echoes the experience of the Romans, who also tumbled into the trap of becoming overleveraged empire hussies.  —  As our sand-castle economy washes away under …

Issue of Race Creeps Into Campaign  —  In the first presidential campaign involving an African American nominee of a major party, both candidates have agreed on this much: They would rather not dwell on the subject of race.  —  But their allies have other ideas.

Concern in G.O.P. After Rough Week for McCain  —  After a turbulent week that included disclosures about Gov. Sarah Palin and signs that Senator John McCain was struggling to strike the right tone for his campaign, Republican leaders said Saturday that they were worried Mr. McCain was heading …

State to save HBOS and RBS  —  Government set to become biggest shareholder in top banks as Japanese weigh bid for Morgan Stanley  —  THE government will launch the biggest rescue of Britain's high-street banks tomorrow when the UK's four biggest institutions ask for a £35 billion financial lifeline.

Exclusive: McCain to unveil more economic policies  —  As part of a plan to reinvigorate his flagging campaign, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is considering additional economic measures aimed directly at the middle class that are likely to be rolled out this week, campaign officials said.

The Final Debate: McCain Should Call for a Special Prosecutor  —  If the third and final debate goes as the first two did, there will be little news and no good news for Sen. McCain.  He needs to make—and break—some news at the next debate.  —  So, what should he do?

Private sector loans, not Fannie or Freddie, triggered crisis  —  WASHINGTON — As the economy worsens and Election Day approaches, a conservative campaign that blames the global financial crisis on a government push to make housing more affordable to lower-class Americans has taken off on talk radio and e-mail.

IMF in global ‘meltdown’ warning  —  The world financial system is teetering on the “brink of systemic meltdown”, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned in Washington.  —  Dominique Strauss-Kahn said rich nations had so far failed to restore confidence, but he endorsed a new action plan by the G7 group.