• Biden says he looks forward to debate with Palin 9/7/2008, 11:22 a.m. EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrat Joe Biden says he's debated "an awful lot of tough, smart women" throughout his career and that next month's vice presidential debate with Republican Sarah Palin will be no exception. But he'd like to know where she stands on issues.

• Today on the presidential campaign trail 9/7/2008, 8:31 a.m. EDT
(AP) — IN THE HEADLINES

• Clinton limits Palin criticism while campaigning 9/7/2008, 7:20 a.m. EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton marched for labor and stumped with Democrats on Saturday, but sidestepped questions about the woman who has taken her place as the nation's most-talked-about female leader.

• Democrats post big gains in voter registration 9/7/2008, 6:40 a.m. EDT
CLAIRTON, Pa. (AP) — Five days a week, Linda Graham trolls tattered neighborhoods of this once thriving steel city outside Pittsburgh for unregistered voters she can sign up as Democrats — one of thousands of unknown volunteers whose work outside the limelight has already altered the basic arithmetic of the November election.

• McCain-Palin becoming Palin-McCain? 9/7/2008, 6:39 a.m. EDT
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — The banners, buttons and signs say McCain-Palin, but the crowds say something else.

• Obama, McCain call for changes in mortgage giants 9/7/2008, 4:23 a.m. EDT
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama said Saturday that any government takeover of troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac must put the interests of taxpayers and homeowners first. His opponent, GOP nominee John McCain, said it was essential to restructure the mortgage giants.

• Today on the presidential campaign trail 9/7/2008, 3:16 a.m. EDT
(AP) — IN THE HEADLINES

• McCain pledges to appoint Democrats to Cabinet 9/6/2008, 8:12 p.m. EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican John McCain pledged if elected president to appoint Democrats to his Cabinet, saying there's nothing partisan about tackling the nation's toughest problems.

• Lawmaker accused of politicizing Palin probe 9/6/2008, 7:31 p.m. EDT
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A Republican lawmaker wants the Democrat overseeing an investigation into Gov. Sarah Palin's dismissal of her public safety commissioner removed because he seems intent on damaging her vice presidential candidacy.

• Obama: Secret Service is handy when you have girls 9/6/2008, 7:08 p.m. EDT
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — Who knew Secret Service agents were so handy for parents of elementary school kids?

• Obama rebukes Palin on earmarks 9/6/2008, 6:36 p.m. EDT
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — Barack Obama made his first direct criticism of Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin on Saturday, saying she pretends to oppose spending earmarks when she actually has embraced them.

• Obama: Takeover should put taxpayers first 9/6/2008, 6:18 p.m. EDT
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama said Saturday that any government takeover of troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac must put the interests of taxpayers and homeowners first. His opponent, GOP nominee John McCain, said it was essential to restructure the mortgage giants.

• Palin church promotes converting gays 9/6/2008, 5:18 p.m. EDT
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Gov. Sarah Palin's church is promoting a conference that promises to convert gays into heterosexuals through the power of prayer.

• Obama, entourage, switch planes 9/6/2008, 4:44 p.m. EDT
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — For the second time this year, mechanical problems have forced Democrat Barack Obama to change charter airplanes on short notice.

• McCain-Palin becoming Palin-McCain? 9/6/2008, 4:26 p.m. EDT
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — The banners, buttons and signs say McCain-Palin, but the crowds say something else.

• McCain, Obama plan joint stop at Ground Zero 9/6/2008, 3:19 p.m. EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama said Saturday they will put aside partisan politics for a joint appearance at Ground Zero to mark the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

• Democrats post big gains in voter registration 9/6/2008, 3:19 p.m. EDT
CLAIRTON, Pa. (AP) — Five days a week, Linda Graham trolls tattered neighborhoods of this once thriving steel city outside Pittsburgh for unregistered voters she can sign up as Democrats — one of thousands of unknown volunteers whose work outside the limelight has already altered the basic arithmetic of the November election.

• Obama hits McCain on Social Security 9/6/2008, 3:14 p.m. EDT
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama criticized Republican John McCain's approach to Social Security on Saturday, saying it would undermine the government program aimed mainly at retirees. McCain said he would preserve Social Security.

• Historic White House race enters final stretch 9/6/2008, 2:36 p.m. EDT
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — They embody four uniquely American stories. They offer messages of transformation with two distinct world views. They pursue one goal.

• Clinton stumps, parades, says nothing about Palin 9/6/2008, 2:34 p.m. EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton marched for labor and stumped with Democrats on Saturday, but sidestepped questions about the woman who has taken her place as the nation's most-talked-about female leader.

• Subpoenas to be issued for Troopergate probe 9/6/2008, 2:12 p.m. EDT
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska Legislature is hastening its ethics investigation into Gov. Sarah Palin's firing of her public safety commissioner, making it far more likely it will be completed before November's election.

• Obama hits McCain on Social Security 9/6/2008, 2:08 p.m. EDT
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama criticized Republican John McCain's approach to Social Security on Saturday, saying it would undermine the government program aimed mainly at retirees. McCain said he would preserve Social Security.

• Palin: More and less than she seems 9/6/2008, 1:53 p.m. EDT
WASILLA, Alaska (AP) — The mother kneels in the snow, cheerfully posing beside her bundled up daughter, behind the bloody, dead caribou the mom just shot.

• Analysis: Hire me, fire GOP is Obama's pitch 9/6/2008, 12:58 p.m. EDT
DURYEA, Pa. (AP) — The challenge for Barack Obama is to make himself acceptable enough to disgruntled voters eager to toss Republicans from the White House if they see a comfortable, competent alternative.

• Questions remain on Palin vetting 9/6/2008, 11:04 a.m. EDT
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — John McCain's presidential campaign did not speak with the Alaska House speaker and other leading Republicans before McCain tapped Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

• Obama hits McCain on Social Security 9/6/2008, 9:40 a.m. EDT
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama criticized Republican John McCain's approach to Social Security on Saturday, saying it would undermine the government program aimed mainly at retirees.

• Party registration by state 9/6/2008, 8:36 a.m. EDT
(AP) —

• Analysis: Obama's pitch ... Fire GOP, hire me 9/6/2008, 7:06 a.m. EDT
DURYEA, Pa. (AP) — With two months left, the presidential election seems likely to turn on whether Barack Obama can make himself sufficiently acceptable to millions of disgruntled Americans eager to toss Republicans from the White House if they see a safe, competent alternative.

• Today on the presidential campaign trail 9/6/2008, 3:30 a.m. EDT
(AP) — IN THE HEADLINES

• McCain, Palin get a rousing welcome in Mich., Wis. 9/6/2008, 2:05 a.m. EDT
STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (AP) — John McCain and Sarah Palin got a rousing welcome Friday to the final two months of the presidential campaign, stressing themes of a strong America and concern about the sinking economy. "Tough times all over America," McCain said.

• Obama, seeing hope in Ohio, shifts schedule there 9/6/2008, 2:02 a.m. EDT
DILLONVALE, Ohio (AP) — So much for the full-on 50-state strategy. Call Barack Obama's implementation of national Democrats' coast-to-coast plan "Fifty-State Lite."

• Biden says Obama would cut taxes for nearly all 9/5/2008, 11:32 p.m. EDT
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Vice presidential nominee Joe Biden is promoting the Democrats' economic plan as he visits southeastern Pennsylvania.

• Rocker Bon Jovi hosts Obama fundraiser 9/5/2008, 11:18 p.m. EDT
MIDDLETOWN, N.J. (AP) — Unlike his Republican opponent, Democrat Barack Obama is still raising money for his presidential campaign, and he turned Friday to rock legend Jon Bon Jovi for help.

• Subpoenas to be issued for Palin-trooper probe 9/5/2008, 11:10 p.m. EDT
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska Legislature is hastening its ethics investigation into Gov. Sarah Palin's firing of her public safety commissioner, making it far more likely it will be completed before November's election.

• Palin church promotes converting gays 9/5/2008, 8:41 p.m. EDT
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Gov. Sarah Palin's church is promoting a conference that promises to convert gays into heterosexuals through the power of prayer.

• Palin's son's job to guard his commanders in Iraq 9/5/2008, 8:19 p.m. EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) — The long and divisive war in Iraq is about to resonate with presidential candidates in a way not seen so far in the campaign: The sons of both vice presidential nominees are assigned to go there soon.

• Obama, seeing hope in Ohio, shifts schedule there 9/5/2008, 7:57 p.m. EDT
DILLONVALE, Ohio (AP) — So much for the 50-state strategy. Barack Obama, who once pledged to compete in every state, has shifted his thinking. Now, he'll pick and choose where to spend time and money.

• McCain, Obama tied in TV audiences 9/5/2008, 7:39 p.m. EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — As a television draw, John McCain was every bit the equal of Barack Obama.

• Subpoenas to be issued for Troopergate probe 9/5/2008, 7:23 p.m. EDT
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska Legislature is hastening its ethics investigation into Gov. Sarah Palin's firing of her public safety commissioner, making it far more likely it will be completed before November's election.

• McCain, Palin stress that times are tough in US 9/5/2008, 7:16 p.m. EDT
STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (AP) — John McCain and Sarah Palin got a rousing welcome Friday to the final two months of the presidential campaign, stressing themes of a strong America and concern about the sinking economy. "Tough times all over America," McCain said.

• Obama: McCain focused on biography over economy 9/5/2008, 7:11 p.m. EDT
DURYEA, Pa. (AP) — Democrat Barack Obama called Republican rival John McCain's acceptance speech the final piece of an out-of-touch convention that focused on its nominee's biography instead of the struggles of the middle class.

• Palin's son's job to guard his commanders in Iraq 9/5/2008, 6:12 p.m. EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) — The long and divisive war in Iraq is about to resonate with presidential candidates in a way not seen so far in the campaign: The sons of both vice presidential nominees are assigned to go there soon.

• Politicians with children in war zones 9/5/2008, 5:59 p.m. EDT
(AP) — Other national politicians with children who've served with U.S. military in Iraq or Afghanistan include:

• Voters in 11 states to choose governors this fall 9/5/2008, 5:54 p.m. EDT
(AP) — Although most Americans are focused on the presidential campaign, voters in 11 states are also choosing governors this fall in races that offer an important prelude to 2010, when most of the nation's governors' offices are up for grabs.

• Today on the presidential campaign trail 9/5/2008, 5:43 p.m. EDT
(AP) — IN THE HEADLINES

• Most Clinton backers say Palin's too far a stretch 9/5/2008, 5:16 p.m. EDT
(AP) — Sandy Goodman was deeply disappointed when Hillary Rodham Clinton didn't get the Democratic nomination, then again when she was bypassed for the VP spot. So Goodman, a longtime Florida Democrat, flirted with thoughts of shunning Barack Obama, and perhaps even voting Republican.

• Review: McCain can't match week's best speeches 9/5/2008, 3:15 p.m. EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — After back-to-back convention weeks with some soaring oratory and flawless television productions, John McCain's crowning night had neither.

• Analysis: McCain, Obama now focus on swing votes 9/5/2008, 3:03 p.m. EDT
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Now it gets real.

• Poll: Only 4 in 10 say Palin has enough experience 9/5/2008, 1:54 p.m. EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) — Just four in 10 say Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin has enough experience to be president, while nearly two-thirds say so about Joe Biden, her Democratic counterpart, a poll showed Friday.

• Georgia GOP congressman calls Obamas `uppity' 9/5/2008, 1:51 p.m. EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are calling on a Republican congressman from Georgia to apologize for referring to Barack and Michelle Obama as "uppity," but the lawmaker stood by his comments and said he meant no offense.