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- The evidence seems pretty strong that it wasn't just members of Congress with safe seats who voted for the bailout -- supporters of the bill also received 54 percent more campaign contributions from banks and securities firms. Meanwhile, an ABC News/Washington Post poll [PDF] finds that 44 percent of Americans blame the Republicans for the bailout failure (21 percent blame the Democrats) and there is near even division on whether the bailout plan should be passed at all, with 45 percent in favor, 47 percent against.
- Barack Obama is starting to take a more active role in finding a solution to the financial crisis, releasing a third two-minute ad where he talks directly to the public about what must be done and telling supporters in Nevada that he would expand FDIC to $250,000 (McCain has also taken this position).
- An unreleased clip of Katie Couric interviewing Sarah Palin continues to set expectations exceedingly low for the Alaska Governor in Thursday's debate. Asked whether she could name a SCOTUS decision other than Roe v. Wade, Palin responded with total silence. This comes as Palin's second Couric interview -- this time with McCain at Palin's side -- reveals that Palin considers questions about being asked a question by a voter "gotcha journalism." Finally, Rebecca Traister's excellent essay on Palin for Salon gets to the heart of the matter: Palin agreed to be John McCain's running mate, and if she can't handle it, that's her problem.
- VP debate moderator Gwen Ifill broke her ankle yesterday but isn't suspending the debate. Meanwhile a Marist poll finds that while more voters find Palin likable than Joe Biden, they expect him to win the debate.
- John McCain showed off his geography skills at an economic forum today, observing that real energy security means not being "dependent on oil from people like Hugo Chavez or other parts of the Middle East which is, we know, could be destabilized under certain sets of circumstances."
- Barack Obama makes Keith Olbermann's "World's Worst" list for getting the year of his wedding to Michelle Obama incorrect. For shame.
- Newt Gingrich knows how to fix the financial crisis: set up a "website for ideas." Oh Newtie, America needs your brilliance now more than ever.
- Is Sen. McCain going to suspend his campaign again? The
MaverickGambler implies it might be necessary.
--Mori Dinauer
