Wall Street firms at center of bailout are big political donors

MCCLATCHY WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON _ The Wall Street financiers and firms whose problems have prompted a $700 billion federal bailout are no strangers to Capitol Hill or to politics.

Since 2001, eight of the most troubled firms have donated $64.2 million to congressional candidates, presidential candidates, and the Republican and Democratic parties, according to data from the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.

The donors include investment bankers Bear Stearns, Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, Morgan... Read more

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In Florida, heavily courted Jewish voters mixed on candidates

SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. _ West Boca resident Nancy Factor listened intently as Halie Soifer, Jewish vote director for the Barack Obama campaign in Florida, laid out the senator's steadfast commitment to Israel.A Republican among Democrats at this... Read more

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Presidential race offers challenges for black evangelical ministers

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS

DALLAS _ For black evangelicals, the contest between John McCain and Barack Obama offers several challenges.Among them is getting their congregations to view the election as a chance to push a... Read more

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Obama campaign urges S.C. volunteers to head to North Carolina

THE STATE; COLUMBIA, SC

COLUMBIA, S.C. _ With one month to go until the presidential election, the campaign for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama is asking South Carolina volunteers to head to North Carolina,... Read more

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Biden sees son and troops off to Iraq

REUTERS

DOVER, Delaware (Reuters) - Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden bid a safe farewell on Friday to 112 "citizen soldiers" headed to Iraq, including his son, and told them "thank you for... Read more

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City limits: On urban issues, candidates split along party lines

MCCLATCHY WASHINGTON BUREAU

KANSAS CITY, Mo. _ The downtown prosperity here on a Saturday night seems overwhelming. Thousands spill from a gleaming new arena into a bustling entertainment district, where lines snake outside nightclubs selling $7 beer.However, venture a mile... Read more

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Obama hits lesser-visited states before 2nd debate

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

ASHEVILLE, N.C. _ In the days before and after Tuesday's second presidential debate, Barack Obama will spend his time in states where Democratic presidential candidates rarely go, especially this... Read more

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Springsteen rocks the Obama vote in must-win Pennsylvania

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

PHILADELPHIA _ Bruce Springsteen had pounded through his second song as though his acoustic guitar were a pickax, then handed it off to an assistant. The rocker in rolled-up plaid sleeves slung... Read more

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Obama leads as McCain shifts gears

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

WASHINGTON _ In a presidential race marked by unexpected twists, turns and slips, Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama enter the last 30 days of the campaign with Obama clinging to a small but... Read more

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Polls show McCain has lead over Obama in suburbs

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS

WASHINGTON _ New polling shows John McCain with a narrow 48-42 lead in the suburbs. And that may not be enough to overcome Barack Obama's dominance in urban areas."The suburbs are a major... Read more

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Polls show Obama gaining ground in battleground states

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

When Republican John McCain's campaign yanked down its TV ads in Michigan and ceded the state to the enemy last week, the move was the latest sign of a shift toward Democrat Barack Obama in the... Read more

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Palin and Biden spar over taxes, energy and war

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin defended John McCain as a reform-minded maverick while Democratic rival Joe Biden sought to tie his longtime Senate colleague to unpopular Bush... Read more

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With Perks As Senator, Biden Isn't Average Joe Lifestyle Belies Tales on Campaign Trail ELECTIONS 2008

INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE

For the millions of voters getting to know him, Senator Joseph Biden Jr., the Democratic vice-presidential candidate, portrays himself at times as an average guy who takes the train to work, frets... Read more