AP - A month before Election Day, things are hardly grand for the Grand Old Party.

AP - Republican presidential candidate John McCain conceded battleground Michigan to Democrat Barack Obama on Thursday, a major retreat as he struggles to regain his footing in a campaign increasingly dominated by economic issues.

AP - Palin stands her ground, going toe to toe with Biden in VP debate on Iraq, economy, energy ... McCain giving up on Michigan, Democratic-leaning battleground state GOP had hoped to capture ... Judge won't block Palin Troopergate investigation; report due Oct. 10

AP - Republican Sarah Palin and Democrat Joe Biden sparred over taxes, energy policy and the Iraq war in a high-profile debate in which Palin sought to reclaim her identity as a feisty reformer and Biden tried to undercut the maverick image of GOP presidential hopeful John McCain.

AP - President Bush and congressional leaders lobbied furiously Thursday for enough House support to push the troubled $700 billion financial industry bailout bill to the finish line, and the measure won converts from both parties on the eve of a showdown vote.

Time.com - In addition to all his other troubles, John McCain is having a problem with the conservative wing of Arizona's Republican Party

AP - Now for the big do-over. House members get another chance to vote on a bill that many would like to avoid: a massive financial rescue plan that has infuriated millions of voters but is described by President Bush and congressional leaders as vital to keeping the economy from sliding into a deep recession.

AP - The Senate pushed toward passage Wednesday of a $700 billion financial industry bailout, and opposition to the package among House Republican conservatives appeared to be softening as well, thanks partly to a provision to increase insurance for people's deposits.

Reuters - A former oil services company executive said on Tuesday at the corruption trial of U.S. Republican Senator Ted Stevens that he gave his longtime friend a good deal in a car swap and bought a generator for the lawmaker's home in Alaska.