Pelosi says bailout plan has to pass (Reuters)

Reuters – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Friday a plan to rescue U.S. financial institutions “has to happen,” but final agreement is up to conservative Republicans who revolted against the plan being negotiated between Congress and the Treasury Department.

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Convention off to rocky start amid hurricane

AP – Republicans set aside the agenda to focus on hurricane relief in the opening hours of their national convention, only to see the scaled-back program for Day One overshadowed by jarring disclosures about the family and work life of John McCain’s running mate, Sarah Palin. Read more…

John McCain’s vetter defends Sarah Palin review

AP – Sarah Palin voluntarily told John McCain’s campaign about her pregnant teenage daughter and her husband’s 2-decade-old DUI arrest during questioning as part of the Republican’s vice presidential search.
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Obama may announce running mate later today

AP – Presidential candidate Barack Obama said Friday the running mate he has chosen — but has not yet announced — had to meet three standards to join the Democratic ticket: Prepared to be president, able to help him govern and willing to challenge his thinking.
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McCain: Obama tried to legislate Iraqi failure

AP – John McCain told fellow veterans on Monday that his Democratic rival Barack Obama tried to legislate failure in Iraq and has refused to admit he erred when opposing the military increase there last year.
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Huge protests expected at political conventions

Reuters – Thousands of protesters are expected to jam the streets of Denver and St. Paul at the Republican and Democratic conventions in a noisy counterpoint to the parties’ carefully scripted speeches.

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