WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE REPUBLICANS GET DESPERATE -- MCCAIN AND PALIN THROWING THE KITCHEN SINK AT OBAMA TO CHANGE ECONOMIC CONVERSATION

It was only a matter of time. If it wasn't Willie Horton in 1988, it was Whitewater in 1992, the Swift Boat campaign in 2004, or the Rev. Jeremiah Wright this spring, during primary season. Year in and year out, the Republican Party will stop at saying nothing -- no matter how distorted, exaggerated, sensationalistic, or just plain false, to try to stop a Democratic presidential nominee from winning the White House. Only this year, it won't work. Not when fact-checking groups are squashing the lies. Not when the winking, forced folksy talking GOP vice-presidential nominee -- who herself is being investigated for abuse of power -- dares to accuse Obama of "palling round with terrorists." Then McCain accuses Obama of not supporting the troops in Afghanistan. Read these stories and don't be fooled.
Here's the score, according to factcheck.org, an independent organization.
*Obama's claim that McCain's proposed health care plan, workers who lose employer-sponsored health insurance would need to spend "more than twice" the amount of McCain's tax credit in order to maintain the same plan they have today? True.
*Palin's claim that Obama pals around with a terrorist? False.
*McCain's claim that Obama voted against funding for U.S. troops in Afghanistan? False.
In spite of the lies, you've gotta love what Obama forebodingly told radio host Roland Martin this morning: "We have a rule in this campaign," Obama said. "We never throw the first punch. But we will throw the last."

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Please, if you have just seven minutes, watch this video of a speech given by union leader, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka endorsing Barack Obama. Let's hope he wins even more hearts and minds than in the audience he spoke to.

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ALASKANS SHOW LOVE FOR OBAMA AT RALLY

Yes, there are some folks -- hundreds, actually -- who have some sense. They rallied Saturday in Anchorage's Delaney Park for Barack and against their governor. Here are a few shots, courtesy of the Anchorage Daily News.

NEWSWEEK: MCCAIN'S MICHIGAN PULLOUT MEANS HE'S COUNTING ON MAINE IN EVENT OF ELECTORAL TIE

Here's a very interesting story in Newsweek today, showing that in abandoning Michigan, John Mccain has realized his only hope for winning the election is winning Maine, one of only two states (Nebraska is the other) which awards electoral votes by Congressional district. Know anyone in Maine? You know what to do...

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FLORIDA LOOKS GOOD NOW FOR BARACK, BUT TURNOUT ON ELECTION DAY WILL BE KEY

Check out this revealing New York Times story, which points toward a likely Obama victory in Florida.

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CNN: OBAMA'S WIN IN FIRST DEBATE SPURS HUGE POLL GAINS IN FLORIDA, MISSOURI, NEVADA, MINNESOTA, VIRGINIA

Nothing like some more good news in these crucial countdown days (34) to the election! Read all about it in the CNN story.

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BARACK SURGES TO BIG LEADS IN FLORIDA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA POLLS

I seem to remember hearing something recently about a surge. Except it was John McCain talking about a maneuver in Iraq. Maybe Mr. McCain should get a clue and come to grips with the term on another level — it's Obama surging past him to new and large leads, according to the latest polls, in crucial states such as Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Could we be hearing the rumblings of an eventual landslide?

Check out this Associated Press story and click on the link to the left of the same page for a video update on WCCO-TV.

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