From CNN Political Editor Mark Preston

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Illinois, and other GOP leaders handled the page scandal appropriately, by forcing Rep. Mark Foley, R-Florida, to resign upon learning of his sexually explicit correspondence with teenage pages, Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman said Sunday.

"The fact is the speaker and our leadership could not have been more aggressive," Mehlman said in an interview on CNN's 'Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer.' "The moment they found out about this, they gave Mark Foley the political death penalty."

Mehlman added, "They said, get out of Congress or we're going to throw you out. They called in the FBI and the Department of Justice to investigate."

Mehlman also said he doesn't anticipate that Foley's misdeeds will hurt the GOP in the November elections.

"I traveled around the country this past week, to a number of competitive states," Mehlman said. "What people were talking about there was whether their tax cuts were going to stay in place or taxes were going to increase."

America Votes 2006

From CNN Political Editor Mark Preston

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman predicted Sunday that the GOP will hold the congressional majority in the midterm elections, in an interview on CNN's "Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer."

"I'm confident we're going to maintain our majorities in the House and the Senate," Mehlman said. "And here's why. What the American people are going to vote on -- they want the economy; wonder where the economy is. Democrats have said that they will raise taxes, across-the-board tax increases."

In addition to tax policy, Mehlman said the GOP offers a better plan to protect the nation from terrorists, which he surmised would be embraced by American voters.

America Votes 2006

From CNN Political Editor Mark Preston

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean Sunday accused Sen. John McCain of "pandering to the right-wing base in the Republican Party" over the Arizona Republican's recent criticism of the Clinton administration's approach to North Korea.

"The truth is, and Senator McCain knows this very well, is that not one nuclear weapon was added to the North Korea arsenal while Bill Clinton was president," Dean said in an interview on CNN's "Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer."

Democrats and Republicans have been trading charges about who is responsible for North Korea's nuclear weapon production. The issue is likely to continue to be a hot topic as the 2008 presidential campaign comes into full swing and McCain and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-New York, weigh White House bids.

When asked by Blitzer if McCain is "the Republican you fear most in 2008," Dean responded, "Not if he keeps talking like that."

America Votes 2006

From CNN Political Editor Mark Preston

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean predicted one of the first things Democrats will do is raise the minimum wage if his party wins the congressional majority in November.

"Initially, I think what we'll do is raise the minimum wage, which the president refused to do without giving tax breaks to his contributors," Dean said in an interview on CNN's "Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer."

Dean also said Democrats would not increase taxes on the middle class, but added that "we're not going to be the party of tax breaks to oil companies and insurance companies."

America Votes 2006

WASHINGTON -- Two leading Republican senators called Sunday for a new strategy in Iraq, saying the situation in getting worse and leaving the United States with few options.

Sens. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and John Warner of Virginia are part of the growing list of Republicans who are speaking out against President Bush's current plan for Iraq as U.S. casualties rise.

"The American people are not going to continue to support, sustain a policy that puts American troops in the middle of a civil war," Hagel said on CNN's "Late Edition."

Hagel said he agreed with Warner, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who said after a recent visit to Iraq that Iraq was "drifting sideways." Warner has urged consideration of a change of course if the Iraq government fails to restore order over the next two months or three months.

Full story

NEW YORK (CNN) -- The next move is up to North Korea, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton said on Sunday, a day after the U.N. Security Council passed a unanimous resolution imposing sanctions on the isolated communist country for reportedly testing a nuclear device.

"The ball is really in North Korea's court to see in what direction we go here," Bolton told CNN's "Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer."

Bolton said he expects China to comply with the resolution, in spite of statements from China's U.N. ambassador that suggest the opposite.

Full story

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Candidates in Minnesota's closely watched U.S. Senate race clashed Sunday on issues such as Iraq and tax policy, with the Republican candidate saying he stood by his vote to authorize the war in Iraq.

"You can't really play Tivo and rewind," said Republican congressman Mark Kennedy, asked on NBC's "Meet the Press" whether he would still vote for the war knowing what he knows now. "We acted on the information we knew at the time. I stand by my vote."

Full story

America Votes 2006

Gov. Jennifer Granholm has pulled slightly ahead of Republican challenger Dick DeVos with less than a month to go before the election, according to a poll published Sunday.

Forty-nine percent of likely voters polled said they would choose Granholm if the election were held today, while 41 percent chose DeVos, according to the poll published in the Detroit Free Press. Ten percent were listed as "other/not sure." The telephone survey of 643 likely voters was conducted Oct. 8 through Wednesday by Des Moines, Iowa-based Selzer & Co. for the newspaper and Detroit television station WDIV. It had a sampling error margin of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Full story

America Votes 2006

From CNN Political Editor Mark Preston

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Rep. Harold Ford Jr., one of three African-Americans running for Senate, said he is not sure how much of a factor race will play in this year's elections.

"I don't know," Ford said on ABC's 'This Week with George Stephanopoulos.' "I mean, I'm who I am. God made me like this and I think voters accept that. I'm proud of who I am. In this race, it hasn't been as much of an issue as some people from outside would view it."

Ford will face former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker, a Republican, in November. The other African-Americans running for Senate are Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, a Republican, and
Mississippi state Rep. Erik Fleming, a Democrat.


America Votes 2006

Sunday, 1pm ET to 2 pm ET

Topics: Nuclear North Korea; U.S. Troops in Iraq; War of Words: "The Red Line" and North Korea; Rising War Veteran Disability Costs

Guest: Richard Roth, CNN senior UN correspondent
Guest: Aneesh Raman, CNN correspondent
Guest: Jamie McIntyre, CNN senior Pentagon correspondent
Guest: Brig. Gen. James Marks, U.S. Army (Ret.); CNN military analyst
Guest: Barbara Starr, Pentagon correspondent
Guest: Cal Perry, CNN Baghdad bureau manager
Guest: Suzanne Malveaux, CNN White House correspondent
Guest: David Sanger, New York Times White House correspondent
Guest: Paul Sullivan, director of programs, Veterans for America

From CNN Political Editor Mark Preston

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker dismissed suggestions Sunday that President Bush's low approval rating is hurting his Senate campaign, but acknowledged the "national environment" is what is making "the water a little choppy."

"He's been (to) the state for us twice," Corker, the Tennessee Republican senate nominee, said on ABC's 'This Week with George Stephanopoulos.' "Certainly, you know, we appreciate that. He's helped us raise money. Laura Bush was in the state just the last few days."

Corker will face Democratic Rep. Harold Ford, Jr. in November.

America Votes 2006

From CNN Political Editor Mark Preston

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Rep. Harold Ford, Jr., D-Tennessee, defended his family from questions of impropriety Sunday, and accused Republicans of trying to distract from the real issues of the upcoming Senate race, in an interview on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos."

"I love my family and nothing you or my opponent or anybody can say will bring any distance between my family and I," Ford said in response to a question from Stephanopoulos about accusations that several of his family members have been involved in bribery and fraud. Ford and former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker, a Republican, will square off in November for retiring Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's seat.

"My opponent has raised this issue, George," Ford said. "And in a lot of ways, it's a Hail Mary pass right here at the end of this race. He doesn't have anywhere else to go, doesn't have any record to defend or any vision to fight for."

America Votes 2006

Sunday, 11 am to 1 pm

Topics: Fight for Iraq; Nuclear North Korea; War on Terrorism
Guest: John Bolton, U.S. Ambassador to United Nations

Topics: Party Politics; 2006 Elections
Guest: Gov. Howard Dean, Chairman, Democratic National Committee
Guest: Ken Mehlman, Chairman, Republican National Committee

Topics: War in Iraq; Nuclear North Korea; War on Terrorism, Party Elections
Guest: Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), Select Intelligence Committee, Homeland Security Committee
Guest: Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Select Intelligence Committee

Topics: Party Politics; 2006 Elections
Guest: Candy Crowley, CNN senior political correspondent
Guest: Ron Brownstein, columnist, Los Angeles Times
Guest: Stu Rothenberg, editor and publisher, Rothenberg Political Report

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton called John McCain yesterday to personally apologize and denounce comments an adviser of hers reportedly made slamming the GOP senator over his time in captivity in Vietnam.

The move from one potential 2008 presidential candidate to another was sparked by a column in The New York Times, in which Maureen Dowd quoted an anonymous adviser talking about McCain's criticism of the Clintons over their North Korea position.

Full story

Amid widespread panic in the Republican establishment about the coming midterm elections, there are two people whose confidence about GOP prospects strikes even their closest allies as almost inexplicably upbeat: President Bush and his top political adviser, Karl Rove.

Some Republicans on Capitol Hill are bracing for losses of 25 House seats or more. But party operatives say Rove is predicting that, at worst, Republicans will lose only 8 to 10 seats -- shy of the 15-seat threshold that would cede control to Democrats for the first time since the 1994 elections and probably hobble the balance of Bush's second term.

Full story

Jefferson fails to receive the Democratic Party's endorsement, while Weldon is being probed; President Clinton says focus on the midterms, not '08

From CNN Political Editor Mark Preston

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Rep. William Jefferson failed to win his party's endorsement Saturday, the latest setback for the Louisiana Democrat who is being investigated for allegedly taking bribes. Instead, Crescent City Democrats chose to endorse state Rep. Karen Carter.

Meanwhile, the Associated Press and McClatchy Newspapers are both reporting that Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Pennsylvania, is being investigated by the FBI to see if he used his influence to help his daughter acquire lobbying contracts.

And with less than one month before the midterm elections, former President Clinton is calling on Democrats to remain focused on November, not the 2008 presidential contest. The plea to Iowa Democrats last night comes as his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-New York, just reported that she has $15.7 million in her campaign war chest to seed a presidential campaign if she chooses to make a run for the White House.

Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman and Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean appear on Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer. And CNN's Candy Crowley, political analyst Stuart Rothenberg and L.A. Times Ron Brownstein will discuss the midterm elections with Wolf. Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer airs from 11 am to 1 pm ET.

On Reliable Sources, Howard Kurtz looks at how the media has been covering the Foley page scandal; the influence of the media on politics and the Air America bankruptcy. Reliable Sources airs from 10 am to 11 am ET.

***

For the latest, breaking political news, check for updates throughout the day on the CNN Political Ticker http://www.cnn.com/ticker All politics, all the time.

***

The Washington Post: Allen and Webb in Virtual Tie, Post Poll Says
Virginia Sen. George Allen (R) and Democratic challenger James Webb are virtually tied in a race that could shift the balance of power in Washington and which reinforces the differences between Northern Virginia and the rest of the commonwealth, according to a new Washington Post poll. Allen gets 49 percent, compared with 47 percent for Webb, within the 3 percentage point margin of error for the poll conducted over three days last week. With few respondents saying they are undecided and most seemingly locked in for their candidate, the poll indicates that the candidates' strategies for turning out supporters will be vital and that changes in the national political climate could tilt the outcome.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/14/AR2006101401128.html

The Boston Globe: Group to rally opposition to gay marriage
In an attempt to motivate religious conservatives to go to the polls next month, a national organization of family values activists will join Governor Mitt Romney and more than 1,000 local churchgoers today to argue to evangelicals that the legalization of same-sex marriage here is threatening religious liberty throughout the country. http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/10/15/group_to_rally_opposition_to_gay_marriage/

The Times-Picayune: Democrats back Jefferson challenger
BATON ROUGE -- In an extraordinary vote against an incumbent congressman, Louisiana Democratic Party leaders on Saturday endorsed state Rep. Karen Carter of New Orleans for the 2nd District House seat held since 1991 by Rep. William Jefferson, whose campaign for re-election has been hampered by a federal bribery investigation. In a meeting at the Old State Capitol, the party's state Central Committee voted 69-53 to endorse Carter in the Nov. 7 election after hearing appeals from Carter and Jefferson, the only two candidates who received nominations for the endorsement.
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/capital/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1160896296206690.xml&coll=1

AP: Weldon Faces Probe on Daughter's Deals
WASHINGTON -- The FBI is investigating whether Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Pa., used his influence to secure lobbying and consulting contracts for his daughter, two people familiar with the inquiry said Saturday. The inquiry focuses on lobbying contracts worth $1 million that Weldon's daughter, Karen Weldon, obtained from foreign clients and whether they were assisted by the congressman, they said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the confidentiality of the criminal investigation. http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/10/15/D8KP16KO0.html

The Des Moines Register: Clinton fires up Iowa Democrats: Forget about '08 and focus on Nov. 7, ex-president says
Former President Bill Clinton rallied Iowa Democrats Saturday with a blistering attack on the Republican leadership in Washington and a cautionary note about the early start of the 2008 presidential campaign in their state. "All the stories tomorrow are going to be about 2008," Clinton told 3,500 Democratic activists and leaders at the party's annual fall banquet. "For just three and a half weeks, forget about it."
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061015/NEWS09/610150350

The New York Times: Two Views of Spitzer: Populist Warrior or Reckless Business Foe
If there was a moment when Eliot Spitzer's ride to fame as New York attorney general was nearly derailed, it came on April 8, 2002. That was the day Mr. Spitzer stunned Wall Street by using a little-known state law to win a court order requiring Merrill Lynch to disclose potential business conflicts involving its stock analysts. The maneuver brought a secret, long-running investigation into the open, and forced Merrill Lynch -- and, later, other big firms -- to make concessions they had resisted and helped turn Mr. Spitzer into a political
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/15/nyregion/15spitzer.html?hp&ex=1160971200&en=07a5bb37f2785559&ei=5094&partner=homepage

Baltimore Sun: Two rivals clash with two styles
Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and Mayor Martin O'Malley met twice yesterday for an unusual pair of television debates, testy encounters that revealed the markedly different styles they bring to the governor's race. Republican Ehrlich and O'Malley, a Democrat, displayed agreement on the most important goals for the state - better schools, safer streets and a cleaner Chesapeake Bay - but each said the other's track record proved him incapable of accomplishing them. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-te.md.debate15oct15,0,6028480.story?coll=bal-home-headlines

The New York Times: Tacit Silence on Stem Cell Research in Missouri Race
KIRKSVILLE, Mo. -- Over cocktails one recent Monday night at a Democratic fund-raiser in New York, Claire McCaskill, the Democratic Senate candidate in Missouri played up her support for stem cell research. But at a campaign appearance here in rural and largely conservative Kirksville, Ms. McCaskill never mentioned the subject. Similarly, her Republican opponent, Senator Jim Talent, came out against a statewide ballot measure on stem cell research at the strong urging of conservative Christians. But when Mr. Talent recently addressed an electricians’ trade group at a resort on the Lake of the Ozarks, he did not speak of his opposition. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/15/us/politics/15stem.html

Los Angeles Times: It's Back to Politics as Usual, More or Less
Compared to the recall and last year's special election, this choice is more traditional, except for Schwarzenegger's enduring celebrity. SACRAMENTO -- If the historic recall election three years ago upended California politics, the race between Democrat Phil Angelides and Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006 has returned the political system to its regularly scheduled programming. Between state Treasurer Angelides and the incumbent Gov. Schwarzenegger, there is little talk about sweeping away special interests or transforming the political system as we know it. http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-me-guidegovernor15oct15,1,2678158.story?coll=la-headlines-politics&ctrack=1&cset=true

The Washington Post: With Eye on 2008, Kerry Goes After Bush
MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) barely said hello to the New Hampshire Democrats who filled a banquet room here Friday night before unloading on President Bush.
"This war in Iraq is a disgrace," he said in the second sentence of his speech at a party fundraising dinner.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/14/AR2006101400554.html

The Washington Post: A Conversation With John Kerry; Interview by Bob Woodward
In the months before the 2004 presidential election, The Washington Post's Bob Woodward sought to interview Sen. John F. Kerry, the Democratic nominee, about how he might have conducted foreign policy in the 18 months between Sept. 11, 2001, and the invasion of Iraq in March 2003. For his book "Plan of Attack," Woodward had interviewed President Bush on how and why he made decisions during that same period. Woodward gave the Kerry campaign a list of 22 questions based on Bush's actions, asking how Kerry would have responded at each key decision point if he had been president. Kerry declined the interview at the time. More than a year later, on March 7, Kerry agreed to be interviewed by Woodward and answer the 22 questions. Below is an edited version of their two-hour conversation. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/13/AR2006101301393.html

The Washington Post: Low-Key Democrat Leads High-Stakes Senate Race
READING, Pa. -- For Bob Casey Jr., it was one of the good days in his campaign to send Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) into political obscurity. Morning brought word of a new poll showing him with a 12-point lead over Santorum, who is the third most powerful Republican in the Senate, and evening brought an adoring audience to a fundraiser here in a private home, where Casey said with growing confidence, "I really believe this race is about America." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/14/AR2006101401045.html

St. Petersburg Times: Democrats' suit: No Foley notices at polling sites
TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Democratic Party doesn't want signs in polling places stating that a vote for the disgraced former Rep. Mark Foley is really a vote for his replacement, state Sen. Joe Negron of Stuart. Foley resigned two weeks ago after it was learned he conversed in a sexual manner with congressional pages. The Republican Party of Florida named Negron to run in Foley's place against Democrat Tim Mahoney. http://www.sptimes.com/2006/10/14/State/Democrats__suit__No_F.shtml

The Columbus Dispatch: 12th District race not a foregone conclusion now
If history is any indication in the Republican leaning 12 th Congressional District, three-term GOP incumbent Pat Tiberi should be a slam dunk for re-election. But this is no typical election year. A series of Republican scandals in Ohio and at the national level have created a hostile environment for the GOP, throwing so-called safe districts into play. "It's bad," Tiberi acknowledged last week before appearing on a radio call-in program. "No question there is frustration out there."
http://www.ohioelects.com/?story=dispatch/2006/10/15/20061015-B1-05.html

The Boston Globe: His 'leadership changed Mass. forever'; Ex-congressman Gerry Studds dies.
Gerry E. Studds, who championed environmental, maritime, and fisheries issues during 24 years in the US House of Representatives and lent an eloquent voice to health and human rights matters, died early yesterday. http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/10/15/his_leadership_changed_mass_forever/

AP: Burns Struggling to Retain Mont. Voters
CONRAD, Mont. -- In this small farm town on the prairie, rebuilding a highway span that passes over a busy railroad track costs millions of dollars. Getting the money for that project and others is a big reason Sen. Conrad Burns remains popular with many voters. "Conrad Burns is like a neighbor," said Cynthia Johnson, a Republican county commissioner who credits the three-term GOP senator with securing millions for the state. http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/10/15/D8KOVMO81.html

AP: Rep. Murtha Blasts GOP for Name-Calling
Rep. John Murtha, a decorated Marine veteran who favors withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq, wrote an essay for Sunday's Washington Post blasting Republicans for referring to him and other Iraq war opponents as "Defeatocrats." In his opinion piece, first published on the Post's Web site Saturday night, Murtha, D-Pa., said Vice President Cheney, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and others in the White House have called Iraq war opponents appeasers and pessimists and labeled Democrats the "cut and run" party.
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/10/14/D8KOR22O0.html

The Washington Post: Confessions of a 'Defeatocrat'
The Republicans are running scared. In the White House, on Capitol Hill and on the campaign trail, they're worried about losing control of Congress. And so the administration and the GOP have launched a desperate assault on Democrats and our position on the war in Iraq. Defeatists, they call us, and appeasers and -- oh so cleverly -- "Defeatocrats." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/13/AR2006101301425.html

CNN: The latest race ratings heading into November
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/

The Rothenberg Political Report: The latest race ratings heading into November
http://www.rothenbergpoliticalreport.blogspot.com/

Sunday, 10 am to 11 am

Topic: Foley Scandal: Has the Media Gone Too Far?
Guest: Jonah Goldberg, Editor-at-Large, National Review Online
Guest: Andrew Sullivan, author "The Conservative Soul"; contributor, Time.com; senior editor, "New Republic"

Topic: Political Influence of New Media
Guest: Mark Halperin, political director, ABC News; co-author, "The Way to Win"
Guest: John F. Harris, political editor, Washington Post; co-author, "The Way to Win"
Guest: Ana Marie Cox, Washington editor, TIME.com

Topic: Air America Bankruptcy
Guest: Stephanie Miller, nationally syndicated talk show host

From CNN's Aspen Steib

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Always wondered how your tax dollars were being spent? Well, the Center for Responsive Politics and OMB Watch have launched three new data bases to track federal spending of tax revenue and the personal finances of American politicians.

The information can be accessed through two websites: OpenSecrets.org and FedSpending.org. On these websites, anyone can research the more than $2.4 billon in combined personal assets and any privately sponsored trips that President Bush, senior federal officials or congressmen have taken.

Gary Bass, executive director for OMB Watch, said anyone with basic computer skills can navigate their user-friendly website because it is like everyday spending. "When you or I go to the store and buy something, we get a receipt," he said. "Fedspending.org is America's receipt on government spending."