White House considering major tax breaks for businesses, sources say  —  With the recovery faltering less than two months before the November congressional elections, President Obama's economic team is considering another big dose of stimulus in the form of tax breaks for businesses …

The Alternate History  —  The Democrats could be heading toward a defeat of historic proportions in November, but it is possible to imagine a scenario in which things might have turned out differently:  —  On Dec. 16, 2008, President-elect Barack Obama and his senior aides gathered for a briefing on the state of the U.S. economy.

Meeting Mr. Palin  —  WASILLA, Alaska — The young lady at the desk of the Dorothy Page Museum and Visitor Center has blue hair — not the blue-silver of advanced age, but a punk-rock razor-cut style dyed cerulean blue.  She is friendly and helpful to out-of-towners who stop by the Main Street museum …

Fewer Young Voters See Themselves as Democrats  —  FORT COLLINS, Colo. — The college vote is up for grabs this year — to an extent that would have seemed unlikely two years ago, when a generation of young people seemed to swoon over Barack Obama.  —  Enlarge This Image

AFL-CIO president to Sarah Palin: Change or be linked with McCarthyism  —  AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka charged that if Republican political star Sarah Palin is not more careful in her choice of words, the political movement she has helped to create will be linked with 1950s McCarthyism.

Few options for Barack Obama on 9/11  —  Every year it's a challenge for the White House: how to commemorate the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.  This year is especially awkward, given the controversy around President Barack Obama's remarks in support of an Islamic cultural center …

Sestak backs off Israel letter  —  Bill Kristol and Gary Bauer's hawkish Emergency Committee for Israel has been attacking a series of members of Congress who were among the 54 signatories to a letter, circulated by the liberal group J Street, which pressed Israel to ease conditions in Gaza …

New evidence undermines feds' case against Arizona  —  You've heard a lot about the Justice Department's lawsuit to stop the new Arizona immigration law.  But that's just one part of the Obama administration's multi-front war on immigration enforcement in Arizona.

Put the millionaires' tax money to good use  —  With the economy downshifting into first gear and their poll numbers sagging, the White House and Democratic congressional leaders are desperate for an economic and political game-changer as they head into the November elections.

Giannoulias, Kirk neck and neck in Tribune poll for Obama's old Senate seat  —  From the print edition:  —  Senate poll: Giannoulias, Kirk neck and neck  —  Cash could be deciding factor as Tribune/WGN-TV survey finds weak spots for both candidates  —  By Rick Pearson, Tribune reporter

The Real Story  —  Next week, President Obama is scheduled to propose new measures to boost the economy.  I hope they're bold and substantive, since the Republicans will oppose him regardless — if he came out for motherhood, the G.O.P. would declare motherhood un-American.

Our distracted commander in chief  —  Many have charged that President Obama's decision to begin withdrawing from Afghanistan 10 months from now is hampering our war effort.  But now it's official.  In a stunning statement last week, Marine Corps Commandant James Conway admitted that the July 2011 date is …

AP: ‘Combat in Iraq is not over, and we should not uncritically repeat suggestions that it is’  —  Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2010 5:30 PM  —  Subject: Standards Center guidance: The situation in Iraq  —  Many AP staffers are producing content that refers to the situation in Iraq.

Feingold to miss Obama Labor Day visit  —  Senator cites scheduling conflict  —  When President Barack Obama visits Milwaukee on Labor Day to talk to working families and members of dozens of labor unions, one prominent politician won't be there.  —  A Labor Day schedule released by the staff …

Sharron Angle Claims Unemployment Insurance 'Really Doesn't Benefit Anyone'  —  WHAT'S YOUR REACTION?  —  In an interview this Wednesday, Nevada Republican Senate candidate Sharron Angle heightened her criticisms of unemployment insurance, insisting that the benefits program to help the jobless ended up benefiting nobody.