By The Associated Press – 1 day ago
IN THE HEADLINES
Final debate offers McCain another chance to shake up presidential race ... Running mates have clearer gun-control positions than McCain and Obama ... Democratic surge in voter signups helps set Oregon registration record
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Stakes high as Obama, McCain head for final debate
TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Republican John McCain is looking to turn around his fortunes in the final presidential debate with Democrat Barack Obama, a forum focused on pocketbook issues and domestic policy Wednesday night.
Both candidates released proposals this week designed to boost the economy as financial institutions wobble and voters feel the pinch of a faltering economy. The debate is at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., with the candidates seated at a table with moderator Bob Schieffer of CBS.
With the economic crisis fueling public unease, Obama has built leads nationally and in key states as the turmoil has returned the nation's focus to the policies of the unpopular President Bush. The burden now is on McCain to try to reverse his slide.
To that end, the Arizona senator took a new approach this week, positioning himself as a fighter for the American middle class and easing off his most direct attacks on Obama, an Illinois senator. McCain also took pains to separate himself from Bush.
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Gun control a gray area between McCain, Obama
BOSTON (AP) — Gun control is playing a complicated role in the 2008 presidential campaign.
Republican John McCain supports background checks for buyers at gun shows and has his name on a law restricting special-interest group advertising, two positions strongly opposed by the National Rifle Association. Though, the group has endorsed the Arizona senator.
For voters who care about the issue, the most unambiguous record belongs not to McCain, but his running mate.
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is not only a gun owner and an NRA member, but a proud hunter who is unapologetic about supporting aerial wolf hunting.
From there, things get kind of gray.
Obama's running rate, Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, favors gun control but is a gun owner himself — he has three shotguns.
Neither McCain nor Obama owns a gun.
Obama, a former constitutional law professor, joins McCain in saying he supports the Second Amendment's right to bear arms.
