•Kerry gives harsh rebuke of war and Bush, saying capture of Hussein has left U.S. less secure and proposing withdrawal within first term: "The president misled, miscalculated and mismanaged every aspect of this undertaking and he has made the achievement of our objective. . . far harder to achieve than it ever should have been." [WP, NYT, LAT, USAT, BG, WSJ]
•Bush responds: "He's saying he prefers the stability of a dictatorship to the hope and security of democracy. I couldn't disagree more and not so long ago so did my opponent." [WP, WP, USAT]
• Federal judge strikes down 15 campaign finance rules, citing "immense loophole." Unlikely to change this cycle; FEC vows appeal. Shays: "This is a very important step in making sure the law is implemented the way it was passed. There will be a significant tightening up of the regulations." [WP, NYT, LAT, WSJ]
•Rather apologizes, admits lapse in judgment; CBS News cannot authenticate documents. Burkett named as source; Lockhart discloses conversation with him. [WP, WP, NYT, NYT, NYT, LAT, LAT, USAT, USAT, USAT, BG, WSJ]
• Three debates confirmed for Bush, Kerry; lecterns to be 50 inches high; spontaneity restrained. Cheney, Edwards to sit at specially constructed table. [WP, NYT, NYT, BG]
• Experts question feasibility and originality of Kerry's plan for Iraq. [WP]
• For Bush, U.N. address is mainly a front of multilateralism; to discuss world health and illiteracy. Reagan official: "It undercuts Kerry's argument against Bush that he doesn't get along with other countries. They won't be booing him." [WP]
•Annan, speaking before Bush, to say war on terror has undercut civil liberties and human rights. [WP]
•Kerry doesn't mention abortion at women's event. [LAT]
•Bush, Kerry share New York City for a few hours. Bush raises $3m; Kerry picks up $4m. [NYT]
• Campaign ads try to fix vulnerabilities. Bush's focus on domestic issues, Kerry addresses Iraq -- for now: "Both candidates must reinforce those pillars from their perspective constantly. You can't have a campaign for president anymore that has a single message day in, day out." [LAT]
•BC04 possibly losing support among Cuban Americans upset over new restrictions and sanctions. [LAT]
•Bush raised $259m during primary. [NYT]
• "F9/11" screenings popular for troops in Iraq. [CSM/USAT]
• Americans abroad blocked from absentee ballot site run by DoD. [USAT]
• Voter drives in swing states yield droves of young registants. [USAT]
•Kerry muddles message as he improvises beyond script. [WSJ]
•Nader added to ballot in Maryland. [WP]
