McCain's Lead Dog Isn't Afraid to Bark, or Bite

(NEWSER) - Reporters are already writing up advance analyses of how each of the two presidential candidates achieved victory next Tuesday—to be ready for either outcome. Slate has a little fun imagining some of the other scenarios that might have played out:

• Hillary Clinton claimed a historic win after John McCain's oft-used phrase, "lipstick on a pig," insulted voters—and his VP pick, a black police lieutenant form small-town Maryland, backfired on him.

Candidates prefer national cable interviews

(NEWSER) - Technology and stricter press discipline have shut out campaign reporters, whose narratives traditionally formed Americans’ impressions of the candidates, Politico reports. John McCain hasn’t spoken to the press corps aboard Straight Talk Air in 5 weeks, and Barack Obama will only chat with on-the-plane reporters off the record—yet both candidates speak to TV press and websites often. More»

Winner of election will immediately have to combat climate change

(NEWSER) - Whether it's John McCain or Barack Obama, the next US president will instantly face "the most momentous political challenge of all time"—saving the world from catastrophic climate change, Carlos Pascual and Strobe Talbott write in the Washington Post. We have 7 years to begin reducing greenhouse gas emissions to avoid catastrophe: a submerged Manhattan, an even dryer Nevada, and millions of "climate refugees" the world over, they note. More»

Obama offers policy details, McCain a 'maverick' record

(NEWSER) - Neither presidential hopeful can boast a significant lead three months before the election, leading both sides to ramp up their political ad machines. While McCain paints Obama as a "pop star" spouting empty rhetoric, Obama frames McCain as another Bush lackey. Salon asked a leading political analyst to assess ads from both sides and decide who's winning the message war. More»

Bush has 'lowered my standards'

(NEWSER) - “What can I say?” writes left-leaning Jonathan Chait in revealing his continued affection for John McCain. “Bush has lowered my standards.” Remember, McCain was once “the country’s foremost progressive champion”—battling the religious right and tax cuts while pushing immigration and anti-global warming advances. And while the old McCain is gone—having tacked hard to the right—Chait clings to an “affinity for the old codger.” More»