memeorandum: GOP political operative defends embattled firm from voter registration fraud claims (Eric Shawn/Fox News)

2:50 PM ET, October 6, 2012

Top Items:

CNN:

Obama raises $183 million in September, campaign says — (CNN) - President Barack Obama's campaign raised $181 million in September, out-raising by far its previous monthly record, the campaign said in online posts Saturday. — CNN reported earlier this week that a Democratic source …

Discussion: Politico and Outside the Beltway

Melinda Henneberger / Washington Post:

Does Barack Obama really want to be president? — Seeing our president hanging out at podiums in Charlotte and now Denver, his famous competitiveness nowhere to be seen, has left me with a question I wish I didn't have: Does Barack Obama really want to be president?

Discussion: GayPatriot, Althouse and Hot Air

Wall Street Journal:

Romney Gets a Post-Debate Jolt — Online Donations, Bigger Crowds Gives Campaign Hope; Team Obama Looks to Mute Any Gains — ABINGDON, Va.—Mitt Romney's strong debate performance Wednesday night has generated $12 million in online contributions, his campaign said, as well as a surge in volunteers and bigger crowds at his events.

Discussion: The Hill

CNN:
Obama, Romney wrangle over economy in weekly addresses

Discussion: Politico

John Hinderaker / Power Line:

If He's Lost the New Yorker... ...then it is hard to imagine who still believes the myth of Barack Obama. Next week's New Yorker cover: — So I guess it's unanimous. Clint Eastwood was right. But here is what I don't understand: why isn't everyone embarrassed to be a liberal?

Discussion: Hugh Hewitt's TownHall Blog and Pundit & Pundette

Culture Desk:
Cover Story: The First Presidential Debate

Discussion: A Chequer-Board of Nights …, Donklephant, Connecting.the.Dots, The Daily Dish, protein wisdom, Politico, National Review, Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion, Hot Air, Riehl World News, Election 2012, Gawker and American Power

Joe Nocera / New York Times:

Jobs Report: Cooked or Correct? — “Unbelievable job numbers,” tweeted Jack Welch, the iconic former boss of General Electric on Friday morning, moments after the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its September jobs figures. “These Chicago guys will do anything,” he continued.

Discussion: Hot Air, Outside the Beltway, americanthinker.com, New York Magazine, Economix, Arkansas Blog, Arkansas Times, Pressing Issues, No More Mister Nice Blog, Crooks and Liars and Prairie Weather, more at Mediagazer »

David Weigel / Slate:
Rep. Allen West, Dean of the Jobs Number Truthers

Discussion: Balloon Juice and Washington Monthly

Chris Isidore / CNNMoney.com:
Jack Welch questions jobs numbers

Discussion: Fortune, The Other McCain, Hot Air, Scared Monkeys, Des Moines Register, ECHIDNE OF THE SNAKES, New York Times, Business Insider, Washington Examiner and CNN

Josh Feldman / Mediaite:

Bill Maher Rips Obama's Debate Performance: ‘Looked Like He Took My Million And Spent It All On Weed’ — During his opening monologue tonight, Bill Maher admitted he was not happy with how President Obama did during his first big debate this week. He told his audience that Obama undeniably …

Discussion: Weasel Zippers, Pirate's Cove and The Raw Story

Michael Wines / New York Times:

Romney Claims of Bipartisanship as Governor Face Challenge — BOSTON — He came into office with a mandate to shake things up, an agenda laden with civics-book reforms and a raging fiscal crisis that threatened to torpedo both. He sparred with a hostile legislature and suffered a humiliating setback in the midterm elections.

Discussion: The Moderate Voice, Pressing Issues, The Hinterland Gazette, Middle Earth Journal and The Caucus

Nate Silver / FiveThirtyEight:

Oct. 5: Day After Debate, Strong Swing State Polls for Romney — On Friday, Mitt Romney had his best day in state-level polling since at least the party conventions, something that very probably reflects improvement in his standing following the presidential debate in Denver on Wednesday.

Discussion: New York Magazine, The Daily Caller and Prairie Weather

Robert Barnes / Washington Post:

Early voting reinstated in Ohio — A federal appeals court on Friday sided with President Obama's reelection campaign and said that if Ohio allows military voters to cast ballots in the three days leading to Election Day, it must extend the same opportunity to all voters.

Discussion: American Prospect and Prairie Weather

Rick Hasen / Election Law Blog:
Breaking News: 6th Circuit Says Ohio Must Keep Extra Early Voting Days if Open for Any Voters, Now Updated with Analysis

Discussion: Outside the Beltway, Daily Kos, ABCNEWS and BuzzFeed

Jim Siegel / The Columbus Dispatch:
Voting three days before election reinstated but not required

Discussion: Election 2012

Ryan J. Reilly / Talking Points Memo:
Appeals Court Rules Ohio Must Make Early Voting Available To All Voters

Discussion: Crooks and Liars, The BRAD BLOG, msnbc.com and The Raw Story

Deborah Newell Tornello / Litbrit:

Mitt the Cheat: Busted in 8 Frames. Updated. — I'm going to put the fourth update up here, because it's as probative a piece of evidence as it gets that Mitt Romney cheated and used crib-notes during Wednesday's presidential debate. My thanks to @KatieAnnieOakly for this photograph pairing.

Discussion: US News, Bob Owens, AMERICAblog, CANNONFIRE, CBS DC, The Impolitic, Daily Kos and New York Magazine

BuzzFeed:

Now Mitt Romney Wants You To Love Him — Moving stories, a compelling biopic, and a wife who defends her husband's character. How Romney is trying to reintroduce himself on the road. — Image by Brian Snyder / Reuters — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — In the strong debate performance …

Discussion: The Daily Dish

Gail Collins / New York Times:

Of Hooters, Zombies and Senators — Today, let's take a look at debates that do not involve Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. You can thank me later. — I am talking about the races for the United States Senate, people. Attention must be paid! And, as a reward, we can also discuss a new campaign ad featuring zombies.

Discussion: Prairie Weather