Complied by Katelyn McGinley
Skepticism Growing about gov. Palin’s merits, ability
Even though it was only weeks ago that Governor Sarah Palin was credited with breathing fresh life into the McCain campaign with her energizing presence and fiery speech at the Republican National Convention, according to a new poll conducted by the Washington Post-ABC News shows that that public opinion of Palin’s ability and readiness to be the next Vice President has plummeted drastically.
A month ago, Palin was rated as highly as her running mate, Senator McCain, and Democratic rival, Senator Barack Obama ? but after weeks of intensive media coverage and several missteps, some of her shine is beginning to wear off with voters. Six out of ten voters see her as lacking the experience to be an effective president, and a third say that they are now less likely to vote for McCain because of her.
Palin’s toughest hurdle has been over the issue of her experience, especially when paired with widespread public concern about McCain’s age. Fewer than half of voters polled think that Palin understands “complex issues”, and 85% said that they do not believe she has the requisite experience to be president. The effect that the Vice Presidential debate between Palin and Obama running mate Senator Joseph Biden will have upon voters remains to be seen. (Washington Post, AP)
House plans to revisit bailout plan after Senate passes “sweetened” bill
President Bush and congressional leaders furiously lobbied for enough House support to pass the controversial $700 billion financial industry bailout bill, and the measure succeeded in converting members of both parties on the evening of the historical vote.
“A lot of people are watching,” said Bush, keeping up his pleas from the White House while Democratic and Republican leaders lobbied reluctant colleagues. Bush argues that bailout plan represents the best chance to calm unnerved financial markets and ease a worsening credit “crunch”.
The rescue package would let the government spend the allotted $700 billion to buy bad mortgage-related securities and other devalued assets held by trouble financial institutions. If successful, advocates of the plan say that it would allow for a frozen credit to begin working again and prevent a serious recession.
The plan returned to the House after the Senate made changes to it ? including tax cuts and other “sweeteners” in a 74-25 vote late Wednesday, October 1. The bill had been defeated in House narrowly on Monday. (AP, MSNBC)