• Cheney, Edwards tackle Iraq, domestic issues in sole vice presidential debate. Edwards defends Kerry, Cheney works offense: "Fresh start" versus "the right thing." [NYT, WP, LAT, USAT, USAT, BG, BG, WSJ]
• Iraq posed diminishing threat, had no plans for WMDs, according to report by chief U.S. weapons inspector. Rep. Harman: "Intentions do not constitute a growing danger. It's hardly mushroom clouds, hardly stockpiles." [WP]
• Cheney, Edwards play to voters; no clear winner. Edwards appeared rattled at times, Cheney sometimes "grumpy." [WP, NYT, BG]
• Closing strategies are about exposing opponent's record, writes Brownstein. [LAT]
• Kerry, taking Bremer bait, asks Bush to admit mistakes. [WP, USAT, BG]
• Draft bill fails 402-2. Bush: "We will not have a draft, so long as I am president of the United States." [WP, NYT]
• CIA doubts link between Hussein and Zarqawi. [NYT]
• Democrats, civil rights groups concerned elevated threat level and corresponding law enforcement activities will decrease turnout in Democratic-leaning areas. [WP]
• Cheney, Edwards worked to improve on their running mates' performance. [NYT, USAT]
• Bush seeks momentum with "significant" speech today. [LAT, WSJ]
• Both candidates misconstrued the facts. Edwards inflates job loss numbers, Cheney denies making Iraq-al Qaeda connection. [WP, NYT, LAT, LAT]
• Edwards before debate: "I'd say if you live in the United States of America and you vote for George Bush, you've lost your mind." [NYT]
• Two more National Guard document released. [NYT, LAT]
• $60m dropped in September for White House race. [LAT]
• Question on AIDS goes wayside. [LAT]
• Cheney displayed experience with Sunday morning television. [LAT]
• Kerry reaches out to crucial black voters: "If you make me president of the United States, I will do my best to even do better than Bill Clinton did to make sure the government of the United States looks like the face of America." [USAT]
• McAuliffe, Gillespie share a laugh over Lockhart's love of cookies, then ask reporter not to report conversation. [NYT]
• Chris Matthews on debate: "A water pistol against a machine gun. . . Every once a while he took a squirt at vice president, and the vice president would turn a howitzer on him." Scarborough: "This guy, Dick Cheney, is so comfortable in his own skin." [WSJ]
• Dems put Leahy in audience. [USAT]
• Spin cycle began before debate. [NYT]
• DOJ looks into possible fundraising violations by Hillary. [WP]
• Shot fired at BC04 offices in Knoxville. [USAT]
• Cleveland hit with costs of campaign visits. [WSJ]
• Soros quickly buys FactCheck.com after Cheney plug.
