Pro-Republican Groups Prepare Big Push at End of Races  —  OVIEDO, Fla. — The anonymously financed conservative groups that have played such a crucial role this campaign year are starting a carefully coordinated final push to deliver control of Congress to Republicans, shifting money among …

NPR CEO apologizes for handling of Williams firing  —  Vivian Schiller, the NPR CEO who has gotten criticism from all sides about NPR's decision to fire Juan Williams, apologized to her colleagues Sunday evening for the way the firing was handled.  —  Among the most problematic aspects …

Bob Schieffer to Karl Rove: Are You Saying Rush Limbaugh Takes Things Out Of Context?  —  Bob Schieffer attempted a nice little gotcha on Sunday when he asked former Bush adviser Karl Rove, “Have you come on ‘Face the Nation’ this morning and said for the record that Rush Limbaugh takes things out of context?”

Early Voter ‘Enthusiasm Gap’ Appears Consistent With Polls  —  There's been a lot of discussion recently about early voting data, which is already available in a number of states.  In most parts of the country, indeed, a voter is already able to cast a ballot if she wants do.

Democrats hold edge in two key House contests  —  But lead slim in 10th; GOP finds new vigor  —  With the election just a week away, Democrats lead in two of the state's most closely watched congressional races but are battling to hold on amid far greater enthusiasm among Republican voters, according to new Boston Globe polls.

First Thoughts: How to spot a GOP wave  —  How to spot a GOP wave on Election Night: Watch the early races in IN-9, GA-8, and KY-6... Tomorrow's midterm topic: How to see if Democrats are on their way toward pulling off the upset and holding the House... If John Dingell's in trouble …

Karzai says his office gets cash from Iran, US  —  KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Monday that once or twice a year Iran gives his office $700,000 to $975,000 for official presidential expenses - and that Washington also provides “bags of money” because his office lacks funds.

Companies that received bailout money giving generously to candidates  —  Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) was a fierce critic of the federal bailout of General Motors and Chrysler last year, saying he could not “ask the American taxpayer to subsidize failure.”  —  But GM doesn't seem to hold a grudge.

America's Worst Politician  —  The short, ugly career of Alan Grayson.  —  ORLANDO—There are hundreds of plausible nominees for the title of America's Second-Smarmiest Politician, but surely the top spot is un-contested.  Americans of all political persuasions can come together in affirming …

Q&A With Newt Gingrich  —  Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has launched a national tour to rally conservative voters in advance of the Nov. 2 elections.  The tour, through states such as Iowa, Nevada and Ohio, could also be a testing ground for Mr. Gingrich to mount a campaign for the presidency in 2012.

2012: How Sarah Barracuda Becomes President  —  Why do you think Barack Obama is being so nice to Michael Bloomberg?  —  On a pale-gold mid-October afternoon, Sarah Palin takes the stage at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, and the faithful are ready for her.

Omar Khadr pleads guilty to all terrorism charges  —  U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba— Globe and Mail Update  —  Omar Khadr, the only Canadian, only child soldier and only Guantanamo Bay detainee charged with battlefield homicide in the killing of a U.S. soldier, pleaded guilty to all terrorism and murder charges on Monday.

Christine O'Donnell Interview With The Brody File  —  In an exclusive sit-down interview with The Brody File, Christine O'Donnell says first time voters in Delaware will propel her to victory on November 2nd despite the media's “double standard” against conservative women.

Shocking Video: 60 Minutes Admits Unemployment is Actually 17%, 22% in California  —  I nearly fell out of my chair tonight when 60 Minutes admitted this.  Yes, 60 Minutes.  —  You can bet the White House and their lackeys will be all over them tomorrow.  This isn't news the Democrats need America …

The day after: leadership drama  —  Voters will do much more than decide control of Congress next week: They will determine whether the most powerful political figures in Washington are up, out or ousted from their leadership jobs.  —  Nancy Pelosi, the most powerful House speaker in decades …

The Next Boom  —  Patrick Doherty and Christopher Leinberger have a great piece in the Washington Monthly about the potentially bright future for walkable urban real estate development.  They observe that population growth plus the declining proportion of Americans who have kids …

Gay voters angry at Democrats could sway election  —  CHICAGO - Kate Coatar is seriously considering voting for Green Party candidates instead of Democrats, whom she normally supports.  James Wyatt won't cast a ballot at all because he no longer trusts anyone to fight for causes important to him.

Intelligent Cities  —  To double exports and create jobs, the U.S. has to invest more in its metro areas  —  City Centered  —  With our recovery sluggish and our politics in rancorous free fall, the U.S. is on a desperate search to create jobs in the near term and retool the economy for the long haul.