Buckley Bows Out of National Review  —  Obama: Better to Be Lucky Than Smart by Tina Brown  —  Christopher Buckley, in an exclusive for The Daily Beast, explains why he left The National Review, the magazine his father founded.  —  I seem to have picked an apt title for my Daily Beast column …

McCain Transition Chief Aided Saddam In Lobbying Effort  —  William Timmons, the Washington lobbyist who John McCain has named to head his presidential transition team, aided an influence effort on behalf of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to ease international sanctions against his regime.

Bush Strategist: McCain Knows He Put Country At Risk With Palin Pick  —  Matthew Dowd, a prominent political consultant and chief strategist for George W. Bush's reelection campaign eviscerated John McCain on Tuesday for his choice of Sarah Palin as vice president.

Palin concludes Scranton appearance  —  STAFF REPORT  —  Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee, made her first Scranton appearance today at Riverfront Sports Complex.  She took the stage joined by her husband Todd and country singer Lee Greenwood.

McCain: Last Debate Will Probably Include Ayers  —  Speaking on St. Louis radio, the candidate says Obama's recent comments have “probably ensured” the former Weather Underground leader will come up in Wednesday's debate.  —  “I was astonished to hear him say that he was surprised I didn't have the guts” to talk about Ayers last week.

Obama Comments on ACORN Controversy  —  TOLEDO, Ohio — Sen. Barack Obama distanced himself from the voter registration group ACORN but also downplayed the fraud controversy that has embroiled the organization in recent days.  —  GOP vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin told radio host Rush Limbaugh …

THE O JESSE KNOWS  —  JACKSON ON OBAMA'S AMERICA  —  EVIAN, FRANCE  —  PREPARE for a new America: That's the message that the Rev. Jesse Jackson conveyed to participants in the first World Policy Forum, held at this French lakeside resort last week.  —  He promised “fundamental changes” …

Rush Interviews Governor Sarah Palin  —  BEGIN TRANSCRIPT  —  RUSH: Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen.  Rush Limbaugh and Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress by The Hollies taking us into our little chat here with Governor Sarah Palin, the vice presidential nominee for John McCain.

Obama's Ayers ad  —  Here's the audio of Obama's new radio spot responding to attacks on his relationship to Bill Ayers.  It's a version of his television spot accusing McCain of using “smears” to avoid talking about the economy, but — unlike the TV spot — mentions Ayers by name and discusses him at some length:

“Monty Python Could Have Written This”  —  John Cleese on Sarah Palin:

Halloween display aims for ‘shock value’  —  Democratic backer sends message by showing McCain, in KKK robe, chasing Obama  —  CATHARINE — Ron Havens has a reputation for provocative Halloween displays that reflect his strong political views.  —  But even Havens was pretty sure his latest effort was over the top.

McCain's “Pension And Family Security” Plan  —  Messaging:  —  Obama unveiled his “Middle Class Rescue Plan” yesterday; McCain unveils his “Pension and Family Security Plan.”  —  Substance: 5 parts.  —  1. Lower taxes for seniors tapping their retirement accounts and suspend rules …

Palin vindicated?  —  Governor offers Orwellian spin  —  Sarah Palin's reaction to the Legislature's Troopergate report is an embarrassment to Alaskans and the nation.  —  She claims the report “vindicates” her.  She said that the investigation found “no unlawful or unethical activity on my part.”

Commentary: So what if Obama were a Muslim or an Arab?  —  Editor's note: Campbell Brown anchors CNN's “Campbell Brown: Election Center” at 8 p.m. ET Mondays through Fridays.  She delivered this commentary during the “Cutting through the Bull” segment of Monday night's broadcast.

DISGRACE  —  I always used to think former Sen. John Danforth (R-MO) was a respectable guy.  So why is he prostituting himself for the McCain campaign phony ‘vote fraud’ scam.  Just disgraceful.  —  Let's be clear about what this is.  These are random stories about fake vote registrations.