Obama Aides: Record Cash Raised In September, Polls Show McCain Ads Backfired  —  With the presidential campaign approaching its final stretch, Barack Obama finds himself in an enviable position.  —  One official close to the campaign said that September's fundraising haul set a new record …

Palin Makes Troopergate Assertions that Are Flatly False  —  On Saturday, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin twice spoke to reporters about the so-called “Troopergate” scandal and the investigative report on whether she had abused her power in trying to get her sister's ex-husband Mike Wooten fired as a state trooper …

Fire the Campaign  —  It's time for John McCain to fire his campaign.  —  He has nothing to lose.  His campaign is totally overmatched by Obama's.  The Obama team is well organized, flush with resources, and the candidate and the campaign are in sync.  The McCain campaign …

No New Economic Proposal Expected From McCain  —  WASHINGTON — Despite signals that Senator John McCain would have new prescriptions for the economic crisis after a weekend of meetings, his campaign said Sunday that Mr. McCain, the Republican presidential nominee, would not have any more proposals …

History Suggests McCain Faces an Uphill Battle  —  Has John McCain fallen too far behind, too late in the presidential campaign, to overtake Barack Obama?  —  That is the question facing strategists in both parties three weeks before Election Day.  History suggests that the answer is probably so.

The Man Behind the Whispers About Obama  —  The most persistent falsehood about Senator Barack Obama's background first hit in 2004 just two weeks after the Democratic convention speech that arguably set him on the path to his presidential candidacy: “Obama is a Muslim who has concealed his religion.”

Obama Up by 10 Points as McCain Favorability Ratings Fall  —  With just over three weeks until Election Day, the two presidential nominees appear to be on opposite trajectories, with Sen. Barack Obama gaining momentum and Sen. John McCain stalled or losing ground on a range of issues and personal traits …

Obama's Kenya ghosts  —  About 50 parishioners were locked into the Assemblies of God church before it was set ablaze.  They were mostly women and children.  Those who tried to flee were hacked to death by machete-wielding members of a mob numbering 2,000.

Gordon Does Good  —  Has Gordon Brown, the British prime minister, saved the world financial system?  —  O.K., the question is premature — we still don't know the exact shape of the planned financial rescues in Europe or for that matter the United States, let alone whether they'll really work.

Prostitution has not suffered drop-off despite economic meltdown  —  It's still a good time to be morally bankrupt.  —  The plunging Dow Jones and panicky investors are hardly a problem for the world's oldest profession, where business is still brisk.  —  “The market is down, business is down …

Obama is hit by ‘affair’ smears following claims that attractive aide was banned by his wife … Barack Obama is the target of a shadowy smear campaign designed to derail his bid for the US Presidency by falsely claiming he had a close friendship with an attractive African-American female employee.

There Is a Silver Lining  —  The crisis has forced the United States to confront bad habits developed over the past few decades.  If we can kick those habits, today's pain will translate into gains. … From the magazine issue dated Oct 20, 2008  —  Some of us—especially those under 60 …

Hindu Threat to Christians: Convert or Flee  —  BOREPANGA, India — The family of Solomon Digal was summoned by neighbors to what serves as a public square in front of the village tea shop.  —  They were ordered to get on their knees and bow before the portrait of a Hindu preacher.

Islamists Day Parade Gets Ugly  —  I have been covering these things for three years now and as I have recently said, there has been a palpable change.  It is getting uglier, more aggressive - violent even .Today was no different.  —  The parade was much smaller this year and there were a couple of American flags, most unusual.

Many convicted felons remain on voter rolls, according to Sun Sentinel investigation  —  Thousands who should be ineligible are registered to vote  —  Reported by Peter Franceschina, Sally Kestin, John Maines, Megan O'Matz and Dana Williams Written by Sally Kestin

Obama knocks on doors, surprises voters  —  Sen. Barack Obama canvasses a Holland, Ohio neighborhood on October 12, 2008.  (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)  —  Barack Obama jetted back to Ohio today to spend three days preparing for his final debate with John McCain.

The Human Valium  —  Obama's not-so-secret weapon in an international crisis: his calm.  McCain's not-so-secret liability in a tense election: his hotheadedness.  This race is about policy and the times.  But it is also about temperament and character.  That's why, in my judgment, it has broken so clearly in Obama's direction.