Barack Obama and John McCain mixed disdain and often caustic remarks as they set out sharply different views of how they would manage the country and confront adversaries.
Yes, it is true that Sarah Palin is the first woman to be chosen as a vice president nominee of the Republican Party, but the fact that she is a woman should not be the focus of attention ["" September 15-2].
I agree that Sarah Palin doesn't have the experience for the presidency, but there's no indication that, at 72, McCain is not going to live another four years, and she can get the needed experience on the job ["When a Vice President Steps Into the Top Job," September 15-22].
It was a great understatement when Michael Baron wrote in "The Battle of Party Themes" [September 15-22] "neither party has set out its programs clearly (or characterized the other size fairly)."
AP - John McCain accused Barack Obama of compiling "the most liberal voting record in the United States Senate" Friday night as the two rivals clashed over taxes, spending, the war in Iraq and more in an intense first debate of the White House campaign. "Mostly that's just me opposing George Bush's wrong-headed policies," shot back the Democrat.
AP - The Bush administration and Congress anxiously revived negotiations Friday on a $700 billion financial bailout, one day after the largest bank collapse in U.S. history provided a brutal reminder of the risks of failure. Democrats talked optimistically of agreement by the end of the weekend.
In their first head-to-head debate Friday, Sen. John McCain criticized Sen. Barack Obama as a candidate who "doesn't understand" the key issues the country faces, and Obama linked McCain to President Bush on several issues.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid today said the Senate will stay in session as long as it takes to pass a $700 billion financial rescue plan. "We're going to get this done," he said. Earlier, President Bush also said a deal would happen. "We are going to get a package passed," Bush said.
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