Foreign Policy Drove Wedge Between Hagel, McCain

Candidates have complicated ideas on American power

(NEWSER) - For the presidential candidates, divergent experiences in Asia—John McCain's time in a Vietnam prison, Barack Obama's childhood years in Indonesia—gave rise to opposing views of American power. Yet the nominees' foreign policy stances have often blurred during the campaign, with Obama appearing more hawkish and McCain more diplomatic, according to the New York Times. More»

'Core point' correct that president will be tested no matter who wins

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama sought to blunt criticism of Joe Biden today, saying that though his running mate “engages in rhetorical flourishes,” he was right in saying “the next administration is going to be tested, regardless of who it is,” reports the Chicago Tribune. Critics in the McCain campaign had used Biden’s prediction of imminent international crises to underscore Obama’s foreign-policy inexperience. More»

(NEWSER) - The Senate version of the bailout bill has ballooned to more than 400 pages as legislators flesh out details in hopes of gaining passage as soon as tonight, Politico reports. The marquee measure boosts FDIC coverage of individual accounts from $100,000 to $250,000, with numerous lower-profile provisions intended to speed passage and increase pressure on the House to get moving. More»

Poll finds newly registered not motivated

(NEWSER) - Newly registered voters could be a potent force in the presidential election, and heavily favor Barack Obama over John McCain, 61% to 30%, a new NBC/Wall Street Journal/MySpace poll finds. But getting them to vote may be a challenge, reports the Wall Street Journal. Most are young adults, and just 49% say they are very interested in the election, compared to 70% voters of all age groups. More»

Republican can only win by changing subject from policy to himself

(NEWSER) - In parachuting into Washington to "rescue" the $700-billion bailout for Wall Street, John McCain demonstrated again that he wants to make the election about himself, not his politicies, writes Harold Meyerson in the Washington Post. With the beleaguered economy an area where Barack Obama is seen as stronger, McCain suspended his campaign for a bit of personal heroics. More»