Oval Office gets a makeover  —  While President Obama was on vacation, his West Wing office got a bit of a face lift, complete with a new rug, fresh wallpaper and paint, and new furniture — all done at no taxpayer expense, the White House says.  —  Details of the renovation were released to the pool reporter this morning.

The Democrats' New Normal  —  I don't usually like to comment on individual polls.  Most of the time, when a poll produces an “unusual” result, it simply reflects random noise and the best advice is to wait for the next edition of the poll to come along, when more often than not it will revert to its previous position.

Governor vows to limit Minn. in fed health reform  —  ST. PAUL, MINN.  —  Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Tuesday that he aims to keep Minnesota from participating in the federal health care overhaul during his final four months in office.  —  The likely Republican presidential candidate …

ALASKA SENATE COUNTDOWN TODAY UPDATE: Miller Margin Now 1,294 Votes With Early Count From Wasilla-Palmer UPDATE: Miller Campaign Spokesman Expects ‘Good Day at the End of the Day’  —  UPDATE 5:55 p.m. ET (1:55 p.m. local) — While we were at lunch, the margin shifted again.  Now, Joe Miller leads by 1,294 votes.

Exclusive: Meghan McCain Writes that Palin Brought ‘Drama, Stress ... Panic’ to Campaign  —  Sen. John McCain's Daughter: Sarah Palin's Rise Was ‘Too Fast,’ ‘Too Easy’  —  For the first time since the end of her father's 2008 presidential bid, Meghan McCain, Sen. John McCain's daughter …

Glenn Beck may be unlikely leader for conservative Christians  —  A few weeks before organizing a massive rally on the Mall that had the feel of a religious revival, Glenn Beck sought the blessing of some of the country's most prominent conservative Christian leaders.

Sorry Charlie  —  Charlie Crist will not be Florida's next United States Senator.  —  In a year where most predictions are downright silly, I am very confident in that one.  When Kendrick Meek won last Tuesday, with his victory went Charlie Crist's chances.  Democrats who want to beat Marco Rubio should jump on the Meek train.

Four killed as terrorists open fire near Kiryat Arba  —  Victims, shot while driving, include 2 men, 2 women, one reportedly pregnant; attack comes before Netanyahu and Abbas set to meet in Washington for peace talks.  —  Talkbacks (1)  —  Iranian Threat  —  Jewish World  —  Local Israel

Why Wall St. Is Deserting Obama  —  Daniel S. Loeb, the hedge fund manager, was one of Barack Obama's biggest backers in the 2008 presidential campaign.  —  A registered Democrat, Mr. Loeb has given and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Democrats.

The Impending Democratic Bloodbath.  —  If this new Gallup poll is any indication, liberals will soon be able to complain about Speaker John Boehner, and possibly Majority Leader Mitch McConnell:  —  According to Gallup, this Republican lead is greater than any previous midterm advantage …

Previewing Ohio  —  We'll start rolling out our Ohio poll results tomorrow but there's one finding on the poll that pretty much sums it up: by a 50-42 margin voters there say they'd rather have George W. Bush in the White House right now than Barack Obama.  —  Independents hold that view …

What Palin Did Friday Night  —  Where was Sarah Palin last Friday night, before coming to Washington to speak at the Glenn Beck gathering Saturday?  —  She was a guest speaker at a Jewish “Shabbaton”—a Sabbath gathering for prayer, meals, songs, study and conversation—in Hershey …

Obama And Bloomberg: A Losing Duo  —  Mayor Bloomberg confessed today that he and President Obama made up a losing ticket when they teamed up for a round of golf against another duo of duffers last Friday on Martha's Vineyard.  The mayor insisted no politics was discussed, especially who might run against Obama in 2012.

Poll: Majority Of GOP Believes Obama Sympathizes With Islamic Fundamentalism, Wants Worldwide Islamic Law  —  WHAT'S YOUR REACTION?  —  A majority of Republicans believe that President Barack Obama “sympathizes with the goals of Islamic fundamentalists who want to impose Islamic law around the world …

U.S. Auto Sales May Hit 28-Year Low as Discounts Flop  —  U.S. auto sales in August probably were the slowest for the month in 28 years as model-year closeout deals failed to entice consumers concerned the economy is worsening and they may lose their jobs.  —  Industrywide deliveries …

CBO: Eight Years of Iraq War Cost Less Than Stimulus Act  —  As President Obama prepares to tie a bow on U.S. combat operations in Iraq, Congressional Budget Office numbers show that the total cost of the eight-year war was less than the stimulus bill passed by the Democratic-led Congress in 2009.