Zogby Poll: Republicans Hold Small Post-Convention Edge  —  But the race is tight, as both campaigns consolidate support  —  UTICA, New York - Republicans John McCain and Sarah Palin left St. Paul, Minnesota, with a smallish bounce overall and some energy in key demographic groups …

When Barack's berserkers lost the plot  —  My colleagues in the American liberal press had little to fear at the start of the week.  Their charismatic candidate was ahead in virtually every poll.  George W Bush was so unpopular that conservatives were scrambling around for reasons not to invite …

‘Uppity,’ the explanation  —  According to his spokesman, U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, a Southerner born and bred, had no idea on earth that the word “uppity” had racial connotations when he used it to describe Barack and Michelle Obama.  —  No idea at all.  Could have knocked him over with a feather when someone told him.

Democrats regaining wimp factor  —  One of the most notable polling results at the time of the 2006 elections was that Democrats had closed the national-security gap versus Republicans who held a long and significant advantage in that area.  That was short-lived.  —  Unfortunately for Democrats, the gap has reopened.

Clash of the Titans  —  You know what I'm thinking, because you're thinking it, too.  —  If Barack Obama had chosen Hillary Clinton as his running mate, we would now be looking forward to the greatest night in the history of American politics: the Oct. 2 vice presidential debate between Ma Barker and Sarah Barracuda.

Palin's Family Has Always Held a Place in Her Politics  —  WASILLA, Alaska — One Friday in June, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin joined the chief of the state prison system on a tour of the Point MacKenzie Correctional Farm, a 90-minute drive north of Anchorage.  It was a routine visit but for the presence of the governor's infant son, Trig.

McCain-Palin becoming Palin-McCain?  —  Republican vice president pick from Alaska generates excitement, crowds  —  Sen. John McCain, his wife, Cindy, right, andAlaska Gov. Sarah Palin take the stage at a campaign rally in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday.  —  A look ahead for Gov. Palin

Media Bashing 101  —  SARAH PALIN'S national opening last week was judged an unqualified success by the media elite, even though much of her debut speech Wednesday night was devoted to whacking the media elite.  —  “I've learned quickly, these past few days, that if you're not a member …

Change vs. Change  —  ST. PAUL, Minn. — Change is coming, change you can count on.  —  That is the simple, central message from the two presidential nominating conventions held in Denver and St. Paul during the past two weeks.  —  Whether it is Barack Obama or John McCain going to the White House …

AC360 Exclusive: The trooper who worried Sarah Palin  —  The Alaska state trooper at the center of a probe into whether Gov. Sarah Palin abused her power says he has “made mistakes, and I've learned from those mistakes.”  But in an exclusive interview with us, Mike Wooten, Palin's former brother-in-law …

Sarah Palin has yet to meet the press  —  When political junkies flip through television stations on Sunday morning, they'll find policy-driven interviews with three of the four candidates on the presidential tickets — John McCain, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.  They won't, though, see Sarah Palin.

Media's hypocritical fixation on Palin a boon to McCain  —  Culture wars now a factor in campaign  —  “Please, media, keep it up.”  So begged Tom DeLay, speaking at a press panel on Tuesday at the Republican National Convention.  According to Politico.com, DeLay said that …

McCain's history of hot temper raises concerns  —  WASHINGTON — John McCain made a quick stop at the Capitol one day last spring to sit in on Senate negotiations on the big immigration bill, and John Cornyn was not pleased.  —  Cornyn, a mild-mannered Texas Republican …

Palin church promotes converting gays  —  VP candidate hasn't expressed views on ‘pray away the gay’ movement  —  ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Gov. Sarah Palin's church is promoting a conference that promises to convert gays into heterosexuals through the power of prayer.