Election Recycling: Water Pistol Against a Machine Gun Edition
• Cheney, Edwardstackle Iraq, domestic issues in sole vice presidential debate.EdwardsdefendsKerry,Cheneyworks 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, Edwardsplay to voters; no clear winner.Edwardsappeared rattled at times,Cheneysometimes "grumpy." [ WP , NYT , BG ]
•Closing strategies are about exposing opponent's record, writesBrownstein. [ LAT ]
• Kerry, takingBremerbait, asksBushto 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 betweenHusseinandZarqawi. [ NYT ]
•Democrats, civil rights groups concerned elevated threat level and corresponding law enforcement activities will decrease turnout in Democratic-leaning areas. [ WP ]
• Cheney, Edwardsworked to improve on their running mates' performance. [ NYT , USAT ]
• Bushseeks 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 ]
• Edwardsbefore debate: "I'd say if you live in the United States of America and you vote forGeorge 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 ]
• Cheneydisplayed experience with Sunday morning television. [ LAT ]
• Kerryreaches out to crucial black voters: "If you make me president of the United States, I will do my best to even do better thanBill Clintondid to make sure the government of the United States looks like the face of America." [ USAT ]
• McAuliffe, Gillespieshare a laugh overLockhart's love of cookies, then ask reporter not to report conversation. [ NYT ]
• Chris Matthewson 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 putLeahyin audience. [ USAT ]
•Spin cycle began before debate. [ NYT ]
•DOJ looks into possible fundraising violations byHillary. [ WP ]
•Shot fired atBC04offices in Knoxville. [ USAT ]
•Cleveland hit with costs of campaign visits. [ WSJ ]
• Sorosquickly buys FactCheck.com afterCheneyplug.