Presidential politics

Palin says she represents ‘Joe Six-pack’ (AP)

AP - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin portrayed herself Tuesday as a champion of everyday people while noting her family's stock portfolio took a $20,000 hit last week.

Obama, McCain May Use `10th Justice’ to Influence Supreme Court (Bloomberg)

Bloomberg - Oct. 1 (Bloomberg) -- The next U.S. president won't have to wait for a vacancy to start influencing the Supreme Court.

Springfield to bill Obama $50,000 for rally (AP)

AP - The city of Springfield plans to bill Barack Obama's presidential campaign about $50,000 to cover expenses related to the August rally he held to introduce Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate, officials said Tuesday.

Early voting begins in Ohio as financial crisis deepens (AFP)

AFP - Early voting began in the key battleground state of Ohio Tuesday as news of the failed Wall Street bailout pushed economic issues to the forefront of the race for the White House.

Springsteen, Joel sign on for Obama benefit (Reuters)

Reuters - In what is being billed as the first time they've ever played at the same concert, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel have signed on for a benefit for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama on October 16 at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom.

Oregon school says 4 confessed to Obama effigy (AP)

AP - A Christian university in Oregon said Tuesday it has punished four students who confessed to hanging a likeness of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama from a tree on campus.

What’s happening Wednesday: Candidates to DC for bailout vote

Update at 8:40 p.m. ET: The Senate has announced it will vote on a revised Wall Street bailout plan tomorrow night. USA TODAY's David Jackson has confirmed that all three senators on presidential tickets -- Republican John McCain and Democrats...

Boston Herald endorses McCain as newspapers start making choices

The Boston Herald today endorsed Republican John McCain for president under the headline "A certain leader for uncertain times." The paper said McCain "has given us all ample evidence of his courage, his character and his leadership. And never more...

Close friend turns star witness in Stevens trial (AP)

AP - A longtime friend of Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens crossed the powerful lawmaker Tuesday and testified that he gave the Republican senator thousands of dollars in gifts.

Bill Clinton in McCain ad leading role (AP)

AP - Bill Clinton is playing a starring role in a John McCain commercial. And here's the ad's kicker: "You're right Mr. President."