McCain: Skip the Bombs, Send Smokes to Iran

Focuses on McCain, avoids fueling Palin fever

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama has maintained near-silence on the subject of Sarah Palin, a quiet amplified by his newfound willingness to aggressively attack John McCain, reports the Los Angeles Times. Her name is rarely mentioned outside of references to the McCain-Palin ticket; when asked directly about her, he switches the focus back to McCain; Joe Biden remains equally mum. More»

Department nees $9.5 million more than budgeted, leaders say

(NEWSER) - The Secret Service has asked for an additional $9.5 million to cover the costs of protecting candidates during this year's campaign—already the longest and costliest in agency history, AP reports. The department had budgeted $107 million, up from $73 million in 2004, but between the marathon primary season, candidates making trips abroad, and the huge crowds Barack Obama draws, it's just not enough. More»

Rape 'joke' turns spotlight on candidate's sense of humor

(NEWSER) - This week's flap over a rape joke John McCain reportedly made 22 years ago inspired Politico to recall the candidate's checkered history of telling jokes. Some examples:

• A quip about why then-18-year-old Chelsea Clinton was "so ugly.”
• Calling a young man who asked about his age “you little jerk" and adding, "You’re drafted!”

GOP hopeful shows up and gives as good as he gets with Dave

(NEWSER) - David Letterman had his routine McCain-is-old shtick interrupted today with comebacks from the Arizona senator himself, the New York Times notes. In the Late Show monologue that airs tonight, Letterman fired off comments such as, “He looks like the guy at the hardware store who makes the keys”—until McCain walked onstage. "Hi Letterman. You think that stuff’s pretty funny, don’t you?” he quipped. More»

National security adviser draws fire from conservatives

(NEWSER) - Jim Jones gave a major speech at a top Middle East think tank last week, but the information he imparted has been drowned out by the kerfluffle over the joke he opened his remarks with—in which a Jewish merchant fleeces a thirsty Taliban fighter. It's tame stuff, and the audience laughed heartily, but conservative blogs and some Jewish community leaders have pounced on the remark, Foreign Policy reports. More»