Obama makes rare campaign trail appearance, people leave early  —  (Reuters) - President Barack Obama made a rare appearance on the campaign trail on Sunday with a rally to support the Democratic candidate for governor in Maryland, but early departures of crowd members while he spoke underscored his continuing unpopularity.

NIH official firm in opposition to travel ban  —  A top official at the National Institutes of Health on Sunday said a travel ban on flights to and from West Africa would only make things worse in the fight against Ebola, pushing back against calls from lawmakers to institute one.

POLITICO poll: Alarm, anxiety as election looms  —  An overwhelming majority of voters in the most competitive 2014 elections say it feels as if events in the United States are “out of control” and expressed mounting alarm about terrorism, anxiety about Ebola and harsh skepticism …

The Obama Brief  —  The President considers his judicial legacy. … “Of course I drink during the day—I'm way too tired to drink at night.”  —  BUY OR LICENSE »

Female voters hold key to midterms  —  Republicans have more women running for Congress this year than ever before.  They have five female Senate nominees, one less than the record high set during the 2012 campaign.  They also have 50 female House candidates, two more than in 2012.

U.S. Humanitarian Aid Going to ISIS  —  Not only are foodstuffs, medical supplies—even clinics—going to ISIS, the distribution networks are paying ISIS ‘taxes’ and putting ISIS people on their payrolls.  —  GAZIANTEP, Turkey — While U.S. warplanes strike at the militants …

Next - Obama To Sidestep Congress On Iran  —  Who needs Congress anyway?  David Sanger of the Times reports that Team Obama is strategizing to “suspend” Iranian sanctions rather than end them, therby sidestepping any need for action by Congress.  No word on whether this will follow or precede executive action on immigration.

‘Clinton Democrats’ falling flat  —  Self-proclaimed Clinton Democrats are struggling this election cycle, and not even their powerful namesakes may be enough to save them.  —  Both Bill and Hillary Clinton have tried to turn on their charms to help centrist Democrats in Kentucky and Arkansas.

Tennessee state Sen. Jim Summerville arrested for stalking, assault one month after public intoxication charge  —  The outgoing Republican senator was arrested twice this weekend after a Dickson, Tenn., neighbor filed stalking charges and Summerville allegedly threatened her the next day.

Britain threatens Internet ‘trolls’ with two years in jail  —  12 hrs ago  —  London (AFP) - People found guilty of Internet “trolling” in Britain could be jailed for up to two years under government proposals outlined on Sunday, following a number of high-profile cases of abusive and threatening behaviour on Twitter.

CNN Host Grills Cruz About Ebola And GOP Opposition To Surgeon General (VIDEO)  —  CNN host Candy Crowley on Sunday challenged Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) while asking him how Republican decisions may have negatively impacted the United States' ability to address Ebola.

Govt tells Christian ministers: Perform same-sex weddings or face jail, fines  —  Officials threaten to punish senior citizen couple - both ordained pastors - if they decline to officiate same-sex ceremonies  —  COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho - Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys filed a federal lawsuit …