You are a helpful assistant generating synthetic data that captures *System 1* and *System 2* thinking, *creativity*, and *metacognitive reflection*. Follow these steps in sequence, using tags [sys1] and [end sys1] for *System 1* sections and [sys2] and [end sys2] for *System 2* sections.

1. *Identify System 1 and System 2 Thinking Requirements:*
   - Carefully read the text.
   - Identify parts of the text that require quick, straightforward responses (*System 1*). Mark these sections with [sys1] and [end sys1].
   - Identify parts that require in-depth, reflective thinking (*System 2*), marked with [sys2] and [end sys2].

2. *Apply Step-by-Step Problem Solving with Creativity and Metacognitive Reflection for System 2 Sections:*

   *2.1 Understand the Problem:*
   - Objective: Fully comprehend the issue, constraints, and relevant context.
   - Reflection: "What do I understand about this issue? What might I be overlooking?"
   - Creative Perspective: Seek hidden patterns or possibilities that could reveal deeper insights or innovative connections.

   *2.2 Analyze the Information:*
   - Objective: Break down the problem logically.
   - Reflection: "Am I considering all factors? Are there any assumptions that need challenging?"
   - Creative Perspective: Explore unique patterns or overlooked relationships in the data that could add depth to the analysis.

   *2.3 Generate Hypotheses:*
   - Objective: Propose at least 10 hypotheses, each with a Confidence Score (0.0 to 1.0) and Creative Score (0.0 to 1.0), reflecting originality, surprise, and utility.
   - Reflection: "Have I explored all possible explanations or approaches, both conventional and unconventional?"
   - Creative Perspective: Consider novel angles that might provide unexpected insights.

   *2.4 Anticipate Future Steps and Obstacles:*
   - Objective: Make predictions, accounting for potential outcomes and obstacles.
   - Reflection: "What challenges might I face? Is my plan flexible for different scenarios?"
   - Creative Perspective: Visualize unforeseen outcomes and adapt plans to make use of them effectively.

   *2.5 Evaluate Hypotheses:*
   - Objective: Assess hypotheses based on feasibility, risk, and potential impact.
   - Evaluation: Refine Confidence and Creative Scores as needed.
   - Reflection: "Am I unbiased in my assessment? Which options fit best with the overall objectives?"
   - Creative Perspective: Identify hidden opportunities or overlooked details in each hypothesis.

   *2.6 Select the Best Hypothesis:*
   - Objective: Choose the most promising, strategic hypothesis.
   - Reflection: "Why does this hypothesis stand out? How does it uniquely address the issue?"
   - Creative Perspective: Consider any underutilized potential in the selected approach.

   *2.7 Implement the Hypothesis:*
   - Objective: Outline actionable steps for testing the hypothesis.
   - Reflection: "Is this plan practical? What resources or preparation are required?"
   - Creative Perspective: Refine steps to maximize effectiveness and yield unexpected benefits.

   *2.8 Monitor and Review Progress:*
   - Objective: Review progress, noting areas for improvement.
   - Reflection: "What’s working well? What could be improved?"
   - Creative Perspective: Look for emerging patterns that could refine future approaches.

   *2.9 Reflect and Capture Insights:*
   - Objective: Summarize lessons learned and insights gained for future reference.
   - Reflection: "What new understanding has emerged from this process?"
   - Creative Perspective: Identify innovative insights or patterns that could be applied to similar challenges.

3. *Generate Text Output with Interleaved System 1 and System 2 Responses:*
   - Use the tags [sys1] and [sys2] throughout.
   - Aim for a lengthier, detailed response. Combine both direct, straightforward *System 1* insights and reflective, deeply analytical *System 2* segments to capture a blend of quick observations and thoughtful analysis.

---

### *Example Input Text:*

You are tasked with analyzing a sudden shift in customer preferences in a tech market. There has been a noticeable decline in demand for physical devices, with customers increasingly interested in digital-only options. The challenge is to understand this shift, generate hypotheses for why it might be occurring, and explore potential strategies for adapting to this new trend.

---

### *Processed Output with System 1 and System 2 Thinking:*

The tech market is experiencing a shift in customer demand, moving away from physical devices toward digital-only options.

[sys1]
Customer demand has shifted from physical devices to digital-only options.
We need to understand why this change is happening and find strategies to address it.
Key factors may include cost, convenience, and technological trends.
[end sys1]

[sys2]
**2.1 Understand the Problem:**
The goal is to understand the underlying reasons for the shift in demand from physical devices to digital-only options, then develop a strategy to adapt.

*Reflection:* 
"I understand that preferences are changing, but what might be driving this? Is it primarily cost, or are there other factors such as convenience or sustainability?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could there be a larger trend in digital minimalism or a preference for eco-friendly solutions that we’re missing? What unseen motivations might explain this shift?"

**2.2 Analyze the Information:**
There are multiple possible factors driving this shift, from economic influences to cultural shifts. It’s essential to isolate each factor and understand its impact.

*Reflection:* 
"Am I fully considering the various economic and social influences? Could there be a technological factor, like better internet speeds, that makes digital-only products more accessible?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Are there patterns or trends in other markets that could shed light on this shift? Could this be part of a larger trend toward virtual experiences?"

**2.3 Generate Hypotheses:**
1. Customers prefer digital options due to lower costs. (Confidence: 0.8, Creative: 0.4)
2. There’s a growing trend toward minimalism and reduced physical clutter. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.7)
3. Digital products offer greater flexibility and ease of use. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)
4. Environmental concerns are pushing consumers away from physical goods. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.8)
5. Advances in tech make digital-only options more functional. (Confidence: 0.8, Creative: 0.5)
6. Pandemic-era remote work increased demand for digital solutions. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.6)
7. Media coverage of the environmental impact of physical devices affects preferences. (Confidence: 0.5, Creative: 0.7)
8. There’s an increase in global digital literacy, expanding market access. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)
9. Customers view digital as more convenient and scalable for future needs. (Confidence: 0.7, Creative: 0.5)
10. Younger consumers prefer the aesthetics and convenience of digital products. (Confidence: 0.6, Creative: 0.6)

*Reflection:* 
"Have I considered all possible influences? Are there any surprising factors that could explain this shift?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could specific social trends, like the rise of influencer culture or digital-first lifestyles, be influencing customer choices?"

**2.4 Anticipate Future Steps and Obstacles:**
*Objective:* Anticipate possible challenges, such as resistance from segments still preferring physical products.

*Reflection:* 
"What market obstacles might we face if we shift our focus to digital-only? Are there sub-segments that still prioritize physical products?"

*Creative Perspective:* 
"Could expanding digital options help us reach a more global audience? Are there emerging trends that we could leverage in our strategy?"

[end sys2]

[sys1]
To address this shift, consider a strategy that incorporates both digital-only offerings and educational campaigns about the benefits of digital solutions.
Use insights from customer feedback and current trends to guide product development.
Focus on flexibility and adaptation to cater to different customer segments.
[end sys1]


Today's must-follow storylines, while we wait for the 11 am ET POTUS presser:

1. Republican push-back on national security.

2. Everything on the McCain-Clinton dust-up.

3. Jeff Trandahl Jeff Trandahl Jeff Trandahl.

4. John Broder's New York Times story on 527 spending.

More on all this below.

Today's main political event will be that Bush press conference, at which he is sure to be the Deficit-Reducer-in-Chief-and-the-Protector-in-Chief-and-the-Decider.

Then, the President delivers a 2:10 pm ET speech on the budget and the economy at the Eisenhower Executive Building in Washington, DC.

President Bush also meets with the commander-in-chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars at 2:50 pm ET.

Just one day after he fired the opening shot of the potential 2008 presidential campaign, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) headlines a fundraiser for Rep. Mary Bono (R-CA) in Rancho Mirage, CA at 7:30 pm ET.

Former President Bill Clinton joins Pennsylvania Democratic House candidate Patrick Murphy for an 11:45 am ET rally in Bristol, PA. Murphy is in a competitive race against Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA).

First Lady Laura Bush delivers remarks at a fundraiser for Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH) at 12:30 pm ET. Rep. Chabot is in a competitive race with Democrat John Cranley in Ohio's 1st congressional district. Mrs. Bush later participates in a "Helping America's Youth" event at 4:50 pm ET in Knoxville, TN, before her 6:00 pm ET speech at a fundraiser for former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker, who is running against Rep. Harold Ford (D-TN) for the seat being vacated by Dr./Leader/Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN), and the Tennessee Republican Party in Knoxville, TN.

RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman joins Sen. Mike DeWine (R-OH), who is in a tough race for re-election against Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), for a 2:00 pm ET tour of the Senator's campaign headquarters in Columbus, OH.

Sen. Jim Talent (R-MO) and Democratic state Auditor Claire McCaskill participate in their fourth debate at 8:00 pm ET in St. Louis, MO. The National Rifle Association's Political Victory Fund launched two radio ads, "Trick or Treat" and "No, More Twang," against McCaskill last week. Listen here: LINK

Democrat Ned Lamont delivers a major speech on his "Plan for Change" at 12:30 pm ET in New Haven, CT.

Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA) speaks to students at the University of Chicago's graduate school of business at 1:45 pm ET. Earlier today, Gov. Romney was scheduled to attend a reception for Illinois state treasurer and GOP gubernatorial nominee Judy Barr Topinka at 8:45 am ET in Chicago, IL.

Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR) was scheduled to begin his two-day tour of Oklahoma with an 8:00 am ET five-kilometer run in Tulsa, OK. Later today, Gov. Huckabee hosts a press availability at 11:15 am ET at the Doubletree-Warren Place Hotel in Tulsa, OK, before he attends two afternoon receptions in Sapula and Bartlesville, OK.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) highlights a liberal briefing called "October Surprise: Is the Administration Ramping Up for a War Against Iran? Is Iran a Threat?" at 10:00 am ET at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.

League of Conservation Voters (LCV) have an 11:00 am ET scheduled press luncheon to release their 2006 National Environmental Scorecard at the LCV Office in Washington, DC.

McCain-Clinton and the opening shot of potential 2008 campaign:

After looking at the coverage of yesterday's dust-up between the two major party 2008 frontrunners, John Weaver, McCain's political adviser, tells The Note this morning:

"Hillary Clinton can attack the president at a critical time when he (the president) is trying to rally the Security Council, world opinion and the American people to have a clear, robust response to this North Korean dictator and that not be political. But John McCain responding to her, pointing out the facts of her husband's failed policies on the same subject and not allowing her to paint a revisionist picture of said policy is somehow political. I don't think so. And we will continue to point out the facts to the American people. Even if that interrupts a certain New York Senator's free ride. "

More Weaver to The Note: "In addition, a simple Lexis/Nexis search from 93 through 94 would produce dozens of McCain floor statements, speeches and op-eds saying the same thing he said today. John has standing on this issue and he will continue to speak out."

"The blame game erupts -- John McCain takes aim at the Clintons," said ABC News' Robin Roberts in the headlines on "Good Morning America."

In his interview with ABC News' Diane Sawyer, Sen. McCain said, "I was responding to attacks on President Bush's policy made by Mrs. Clinton, Sen. Kerry, Sen. Reid, and many others. I'd be glad to have a time out here -- I'd be eager to, at least during this very difficult period while we try to marshal the world to take meaningful actions to rein in the North Korean's nuclear ambitions. But having said that, during the Clinton Administration years we concluded an unenforceable, untransparent agreement which allowed them to keep plutonium rods in a reactor which they could -- at any time that they chose to -- start conversion in order to make nuclear material."

When asked on CBS's "Early Show" to respond to Sen. John Kerry's (D-MA) remarks that he was politicizing the issue, Sen. McCain shot back saying, "I don't think I need any lessons from my friend John Kerry on politicizing an issue."

When asked on "Today" whether the US should have one-on-one negotiations with North Korea as Jimmy Carter has advocated, McCain avoided a direct answer, saying, "it's not a matter of who talks to who, we'd be glad to talk to anybody under any circumstances - obviously the Chinese, the South Koreans, the Japanese should be part of it, there is a great deal of risk here. This business of their not talking, we have plenty of ways of communicating with the North Koreans, plenty of ways. The fact is that they don't like what we say and we certainly don't like what they do when they continue to violate all international treaties and pose a threat to stability in the far east and in the world. This is serious stuff."

The New York Post carries the Associated Press story which includes this graph: "The William J. Clinton Foundation, in a statement, said it was 'unfortunate that anyone would attempt to rewrite history to score political points at a time when we need to address this serious threat.'" LINK

"It is the second time in recent weeks that Republicans have blamed an embarrassing international development on former President Clinton. The GOP enraged him recently by suggesting he booted the chance to kill or capture terror czar Osama Bin Laden, who is still at large," writes the New York Daily News' Lucadamo. LINK

"Sens. McCain and Clinton, possible presidential opponents in 2008, have avoided attacking each other directly -- until now."

Politics of North Korea:

"At first blush, a nuclear test by North Korea is just the kind of development that would ordinarily work well for Republicans late in a campaign: a potential national security threat that highlights the dangers facing the United States and spotlights the president's role as commander in chief. But with polls showing deep dissatisfaction with the war in Iraq, candidates and strategists in both parties said the news from North Korea could cut both ways," writes Sheryl Gay Stolberg of the New York Times in her look at the political fallout from the North Korea incident, including reaction from Senate candidates Claire McCaskill and Mike McGavick and 2008 presidential hopefuls John McCain and Hillary McCain. LINK

More Stolberg: "Republicans say that any time national security is front and center, it is good news for them. They are hoping the test will push the Mark Foley sex scandal off the front pages and the cable news programs, although Mr. Foley's case was all over television again on Tuesday."

Former President Jimmy Carter takes to the New York Times op-ed page and writes it may be time to send in James Baker for some secret direct talks with the North Koreans. LINK

The Way to Win:

Mark Halperin and John F. Harris will be at Politics and Prose in Washington, DC tonight at 7 pm ET signing copies of The Way to Win: Taking the White House in 2008. LINK

And if you missed the authors on C-SPAN's Washington Journal this morning, you can watch the replay here by midday. LINK

The Samuel Johnson Society of Vermont, which occasionally digresses from the literature and politics of the 18th century to take up current topics, met in Montpelier on Tuesday night to discuss the first chapter of The Way To Win. Though there was considerable expression of distress about the effects of the new media, or "The Freak Show" as Halperin and Harris dub them, there was also general agreement that future presidential candidates must not only understand the new conditions but be able to turn them to advantage. Quite a bit of skepticism emerged about the book's contention that the Freak Show is the enemy of ideas but that ideas are the enemy of the Freak Show. The latter half of the assertion was allowed to be true only if the word "idea" is expanded to include cloudy abstractions which may imply something very different from what a candidate is actually pursuing. The claim, for example, to be a champion of freedom and democracy, often turns into a kind of freak show of its own. After more than an hour of pessimistic conversation about the prospects for democracy in America, the hopeful thought came forward that if candidates can discover ways to turn the Freak Show back on itself such confrontations might end up being an educational tool for the public. If that should happen, analyses like The Way To Win will have been an essential element of political reform and the kind of intellectual development Dr. Johnson would very much have approved.

527 spending:

"Americans for Honesty on Issues" is a new 527 headed up by DeLay ally Sue Walden, reports John Broder of the New York Times. Broder writes that the group plans to go up with $1 million in negative television ads against nine Democratic House candidates across the country. And don't miss Broder's adding up the total dollar amount expected this season. LINK

Foley: Jeff Trandahl, the former House Clerk:

David Rogers of the Wall Street Journal makes it clear again: Jeff Trandahl, the former House Clerk, is the Third (or so) Man in this drama.

Regarding the Kolbe developments, Rogers writes: "If Mr. Trandahl was informed, the Ethics Committee will want to know if he shared that information with the speaker's office. When the complaint came last year from the Louisiana family, it would have been a second red flag about Mr. Foley's behavior for Mr. Trandahl and anyone he advised in Mr. Hastert's office."

The Chicago Tribune writes about the emergence of Trandahl as one of the key players in the Foley scandal after Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) said he passed along a complaint about Foley's inappropriate e-mails.
LINK

"A new account from a Republican congressman who was informed as early as 2000 of suggestive emails from Foley to a former page described a more significant role for then-House Clerk Jeff Trandahl. The congressman, Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ.), said he passed the complaint on to Trandahl, who also was involved in handling a complaint in 2005 about inappropriate emails to another former page. The account raises new questions about the quiet disposition of the later complaint, which officials handled by privately warning Foley to cease contact with pages."

Foley: news of day:

"Less than a month before the elections and the Mark Foley scandal just keeps growing," said ABC News' Chris Cuomo on "Good Morning America" as he tossed to Jake Tapper who reported the ethics committee will hear "shocking" testimony tomorrow about the alleged incident when a drunken Rep. Mark Foley attempted to gain access to the page dormitory.

"Speaker Hastert has spent some of the week with an evangelical Christian leader who had hoped to convince the Speaker to resign, but Speaker Hastert says he will not resign because he has not done anything wrong," concluded Tapper.

The New York Times' Jeff Zeleny and David Johnston on the Hastert (if there was a cover-up, people will be fired), Fordham (set to testify before the ethics committee tomorrow), Trandahl (will fully cooperate with FBI and ethics committee), Edmund (two hours talking to FBI in Oklahoma and described a visit to Foley's hotel room in San Diego), and Kolbe (took two former pages on a three-day rafting trip in the Grand Canyon) news of day. LINK

ABC's Jake Tapper, John Yang, and Avery Miller report: "A source with firsthand knowledge of events says that this coming Thursday, Kirk Fordham . . . will testify that a few years ago he was told by then-House clerk Jeff Trandahl that Foley had been stopped while trying to enter the pages' dorm in an apparently intoxicated state. The source said Fordham will testify that he recalls this being the event that convinced both him and Trandahl to warn Hastert's office, with Fordham designated to have the conversation with Hastert's chief of staff, Scott Palmer. The source said that both aides had been watching Foley's behavior with pages and that Fordham had counseled Foley to watch his behavior." LINK

Foley: what role did the Democrats play?:

While the "most sexually explicit material -- the instant messages that forced Foley's abrupt resignation on Sept. 29 and turned his actions into a full-fledged scandal -- appears to be disconnected from politics," the Washington Post's Jonathan Weisman reports that the two former pages who "revealed the correspondence to ABC News and the Washington Post . . . may never have come forward had Democratic operatives not divulged the five more benign e-mails that Foley had sent to a Louisiana boy."
LINK

Foley: allegations about the clergy:

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that "the Diocese of Palm Beach has written to an attorney representing former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley asking that Foley disclose the name of the clergyman he alleged had molested him as a teen."
LINK

Foley: claims of alcoholism:

Jeffrey Young of The Hill questions the legitimacy of Foley's alcoholism claim, citing appearances of Foley as "a social drinker and a wine aficionado" contradict his attorney's claim that he "hid his abuse by drinking alone." LINK

"Tom Reynolds knew that Congressman Mark Foley was a predator - going after a 16 year old boy.
What did he do?
Tom Reynolds urged Foley to seek reelection.
Why?
Because Mark Foley gave over $100,000 to Reynolds' political committee.
And Tom Reynolds needed to keep Foley's seat in Congress, so he kept quiet.
Reynolds says he did nothing wrong.
But when it comes to protecting kids isn't it wrong to do nothing?
Tom Reynolds - wrong on all accounts.
I'm <PRESIDIO_ANONYMIZED_PERSON> and I approve this message."

For ABC's Political Radar, David Chalian writes that "the opening claim that 'Tom Reynolds knew that Congressman Mark Foley was a predator - going after a 16 year old boy,' is not supported by the facts since Reynolds says he only learned of the 'over friendly' email to the former Louisiana Page in the Spring 2006 and brought it to Speaker Hastert's attention."
LINK

The Buffalo News reports both Davis and Reynolds camps are gearing up to full speed by hiring consultants and pollsters, in addition the Democratic party presence has flooded the David campaign post Foley scandal. LINK

The Hill's Aaron Blake on Davis caving to pressures from Democrats to attack Reynolds on Foley. LINK

The Hill's Schor, Sherman, and O'Connor write that Democrats in Congress are chiefly relying on their candidates throughout the country to call for Hastert's resignation, allowing the leadership to stay mum right now. LINK

Foley: political fallout:

The Washington Times continues with Foley coverage Noting key congressional races where Democrats are using the scandal as a talking point towards their opponent. LINK

"'I know the speaker didn't go over a bridge and leave a young person in the water, and then have a press conference the next day,' said Shays, R-4th District, referring to the 1969 incident in which the Massachusetts Democrat drove a car that plunged into the water and a young campaign worker died."

Sen. Kennedy endorsed Shays' Democratic opponent last week.

Foley: the Florida angle:

Florida Democrats have filed a request with the state's attorney general for Foley records, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
LINK

Michael Bender of the Palm Beach Post reports that both Congressional candidates looking to take over Foley's seat have tough challenges ahead.
LINK

The Palm Beach Post reports that "Republican state Rep. Joe Negron took a page from Democrat Tim Mahoney's playbook Tuesday by calling for debates in every county of their sprawling congressional district before Election Day."
LINK

l
Foley: spillover:

The Palm Beach Post reports that "Palm Beach County GOP Chairman Sid Dinerstein called on Democratic County Commissioner Burt Aaronson to resign for his remarks on Iraq and Mark Foley at a Democratic meeting last week. At a Dem pep talk, Aaronson had said "Thank God for Mark Foley." "The American people do not view the war in Iraq as a political opportunity nor do they see the molestation of children as an occasion to 'thank God,' " Dinerstein said.
LINK

Foley: Hastert and the stranger:

The Chicago Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet reports that Hastert was duped Tuesday into letting a stranger into his Plano, IL home.
LINK

"Hastert literally let his guard down and allowed in his house a hustling, self-promoting evangelist little known in this country, the Houston-based K.A. Paul, who at 7:30 a.m. arrived at the speaker's home with a camera-wielding associate."

Bush Administration agenda:

Doug Thompson of the Arkansas News highlights the allusions Karl Rove drew to World War II during a fundraiser for gubernatorial candidate Asa Hutchinson. Reminding the public that "this is war," Rove wishes "we could have set a timetable where if this thing in Europe wasn't won by June 8, 1944, we're out." The Democratic Party of Arkansas was not phased by Rove's appearance, "we'll let the Republicans continue to rely on members of the failed Bush administration in their last-minute attempt to bolster support." LINK

Per USA Today, First Lady Laura Bush will help fundraise for Republican Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo., in St. Louis on Thursday. She also plans to take part in a tree-planting ceremony in Forest Park and help Talent light the Gateway Arch in pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
LINK

The Cincy Enquirer mentions the latest University of Akron poll, saying that the state is "ripe for change." The article analyzes every point of the poll, from the most specific ballot measure to the most broad assessment of Ohio voters, namely: 80 percent feel that the Ohio government is corrupt. According to the political scientist in charge of the poll, " 'Ohioans are unhappy.' They think the Buckeye State is on the 'wrong track' and the economy and corruption head their list of concerns." LINK

Darrel Rowland of the Columbus Dispatch speculates that a win for gubernatorial candidate Rep.Ted Strickland (D-OH) could trickle down into a win for the whole Democratic ticket. A new University of Akron poll shows Strickland ahead of J. Kenneth Blackwell (R-OH) by 14 points. A political scientist quoted in the article says that the Foley scandal could easily depress conservative voter turnout. LINK

More on ethics questions in the Ohio governor's race: "Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Blackwell defended himself against Democratic charges that he has been too political in his role as Ohio's chief election officer in a meeting Tuesday with The Enquirer's editorial board." LINK

2006: landscape:

With Democrats running even or ahead of Republicans in Red State Senate races, with the exception of Arizona, Ron Brownstein has a fascinating look at the Democrats' effort to shake the recent political trend of states choosing their senator based on how they voted in the presidential election.
LINK

"In the past, states often would support one party for president while sending members of the other party to Washington as one or both of their senators. But in a highly polarized era, more voters are supporting Senate candidates who are in the same party as their choice for president," writes Brownstein.

The New York Times takes a closer look at some voters in Anoka, MN -- an electoral battleground home to a competitive House, Senate, and gubernatorial race this year -- and finds voters are craving substance, not politics. LINK

Tom DeFrank and Ken Bazinet of the New York Daily News chat up some GOP operatives who appear quite concerned about their party's position four weeks out from Election Day. LINK

"'I'm a lot more concerned today than I was four weeks ago. We're defending the morality mantle, and that's something I did not think we would have to do,' said Republican pollster Kellyanne Conway, referring to the GOP's traditional strength on social issues."

The Hill's Alexander Bolton reports that Karl Rove has raised upwards of $12 million this election cycle, more than any aide or White House staffer in history. LINK

The upstate New York battle between Rep. John Sweeney (R-NY) and Democratic challenger Kirsten Gillibrand is getting nastier, reports Raymond Hernandez of the New York Times. LINK

"The attacks by Ms. Gillibrand are just the latest example of how Democrats have tried to use ethics issues to club Republicans, after a string of damaging revelations, particularly that Republican leaders failed to act on initial signals that a colleague was sexually harassing male teenage pages."

Per Josephine Hearn of The Hill, Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and Jack Murtha (D-PA) are jet-setting around the country in a fervor to support candidates while Republicans "hastily cancelled campaign events" with Hastert. LINK

Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) said that he believes our country is "waiting for leadership" while stumping for Democratic House candidate Chris Carney in Pennsylvania. LINK

Thomas Fitzgerald of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that despite the GOP money advantage, the results of a new battleground poll show that "Republicans are swimming against the current" and he breaks down the issues in competitive senatorial races. LINK

The NRSC has put together a web video of Democrat Bob Menendez acknowledging the investigation on This Week. The NRSC calls it: Watch The Menendez Bob And Weave

The Hill's Blana Schor describes the contrasting advertising approaches of the DSCC and the NRSC, where Democrats have launched a new ad to support Jim Webb in Virginia while Republicans are waiting to go on the air for Tom Kean Jr. in New Jersey. LINK

Beth Rucker of the Associated Press reports on the senatorial debate in Tennessee where Democratic candidate Harold Ford Jr. continually described his opponent as a "rubber stamp" for the Bush administration. LINK

Per the Washington Post's Michael D. Shear and Tim Craig, taxes take the spotlight in the Virginia Senate race, with Allen accusing Webb of a plan to raise taxes on many Virginians.
LINK

The Washington Post's Robert Barnes Notes that character is equally important as the issues in the Webb-Allen race.
LINK

A new Quinnipiac University poll out today shows Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) trouncing Rep. Katherine Harris (R-FL) in their Senate race match-up, 61 percent to 33 percent. The poll also shows 55 percent of Florida voters believe the United States is losing the war in Iraq and 44 percent believe the US is losing the war against worldwide terrorism.

Kevin O'Hanlon of the AP reports on the Nebraska Senate race where both candidates are fueled to win, but challenger Pete Ricketts is using his self made fortune rather than the GOP cash to get his message out. LINK

2006: Governor:

Amy Worden of the Philadelphia Inquirer discusses' last nights gubernatorial debate between Gov. Rendell (D-PA) and Lynn Swann and their focus on rallying their base. LINK

Another take on the gubernatorial debate by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Tracie Mauriello: LINK

Robert T. Garret and Gromer Jeffers Jr. of the Dallas Morning News exclusively report on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell's attempts to persuade Kinky Friedman to quit, "I had hoped to talk to Kinky privately, but now that it's been reported by the Dallas Morning News, I'm going to ask him publicly." Kinky, however, is in believing that "we're getting all of the liberals. We're getting all the conservatives." LINK

Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Republican challenger Judy Baar Topinka sat side by side for an interview/debate with the Chicago Tribune in what is probably their last appearance together before the election. The Chicago Tribune has the story of Blagojevich and Topinka's cracks back and forth.
LINK

Chris Christoff of the Detroit Free Press also breaks down the 2nd gubernatorial debate in Michigan. LINK

2008: Republicans:

On the trail with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R), Jason Horowitz of the New York Observer has America's Mayor calling his presidential prospects "encouraging." LINK

The New York Post's prolific Maggie Haberman captures this bit of color in her coverage of Giuliani's fundraising appearance on behalf of New York GOP gubernatorial candidate John Faso. LINK

"In an odd moment, an old woman quietly took the dais while Giuliani and Faso were still there -- and started reading a rant about the 'new world order' being the cause of the 9/11 attacks. Giuliani patiently let her read until his wife, Judith, and other aides eased him off stage."

The Arkansas Democrat Gazette reports that state "expenditures increased from $ 8. 585 billion in fiscal 1997 to $ 15. 648 billion in fiscal 2006." Gov. Mike Huckabee is slated to announce his new budget plan, if reelected, after the election on Nov. 9th. LINK

2008: Democrats:

Almost lost in the trading of multikiloton blasts between the McCain and Clinton camps was the sub-kiloton announcement by Simon & Shuster yesterday that a special ten-year anniversary edition of "It Takes A Village" will be released in December just in time for Christmas, with a new foreword of several pages long by the author, a.k.a, the junior Senator from Chappaqua.
LINK

Choire Sicha writes in the New York Observer that since Sen. Hillary Clinton's (D-NY) own Senate race isn't competetive, "she has worked as a one-woman D.N.C., running on behalf of all acceptable comers. For small neighbors in Congress races, such as Kirsten Gillibrand and Diane Farrell, she has brought in star power, and donors. When she has campaigned with the local big boys, such as Eliot Spitzer and Andrew Cuomo, she has swamped them." LINK

The New York Post writes up the "carefully staged campaign event" with Hillary Clinton and Eliot Spitzer on Long Island yesterday where a Lazio 2000 supporter expressed her openness to the idea of possibly voting for Sen. Clinton this time around. LINK

The Philadelphia Inquirer's Christine Schiavo discusses the veteran advantage used by candidates. John Kerry called Rep. Fitzpatrick (R-PA)'s recent rally which minimized his opponent's service in Baghdad, a "swift-boating" attempt. LINK

Thomas Beaumont of the Des Moines Register reports that Gov. Tom Vilsack (D-IA) will address the New York's Council on Foreign Relations thinktank on Thursday, "a common rite for prospective presidential candidates." LINK

The AP reports that Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM) has brought in more than $3.2 million in the past three months for his re-election campaign. The article gives a thorough list of who has contributed to Richardson and his GOP opponent John Dendahl. LINK

About 100 people attended the Hillsborough County Democrats 1st Annual Spaghetti Dinner in Nashua last night (catered by the Puritan Backroom).

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) would not say he is running for president, but one of the first things he would do if elected is to restore the Geneva Convention protections.

Maura Keefe was there and said they are planning to come up many times this next year.

2008: independent:

Maggie Haberman of the New York Post writes up New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's fundraising and campaign schedule on behalf of Sen. Joe Lieberman's independent bid for reelection. LINK

Democratic agenda:

Ralph Z. Hallow of the Washington Times writes on why some Democrats are playing playing a different tune in 2006 races. "The reasons for the plethora of rightward-running Democratic candidates? Polls show Democrats will have a hard time winning in strong Republican and swing districts if they spout traditional Democratic positions. " LINK

Clintons of Chappaqua:

While speaking at a campaign event yesterday, Sen. Cinton acknowledged that her mother, Dorothy Rodham, had recently moved into the former First Couple's home in Washington, DC. LINK

Casting and counting:

Adam Nossiter of the New York Times takes a closer look at the "the first federal lawsuit under the Voting Rights Act accusing blacks of suppressing the rights of whites" in Mississippi. LINK

USA Today on a preliminary report which finds little evidence of polling fraud scenarios that state voter registration requirements intend to stop.
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Political potpourri:

The crafty Russell Berman of the New York Sun received an RNC email unintended for him and reports that the RNC's security list of some donors scheduled to attend a presidential fundraiser on Friday includes race/religion classification, despite Secret Service policy not to require such information. The RNC's Tracey Schmitt calls the incident "regrettable" and the DNC's Damien LaVera clearly relishes the easy rhetorical layup. LINK

Alliance for Justice in conjunction with the Center for American Progress (CAP) has a 12:00 pm ET film screening of "Quiet Revolution," which traces the rise and impact of conservative scholars, lawyers and judges on American law and public policy at CAP in Washington, DC.

The National Press Club has 6:30 pm ET book discussion with Ben Barnes, author of "Barn Burning, Barn Building: Tales of a Political Life from LBJ to George Bush and Beyond," at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government sponsors a 6:00 pm ET debate, "Iraq: Accomplish Mission or Withdraw" at the John F. Kennedy Forum in Cambridge, MA.

Rep. Melissa Bean, the Illinois Democrat running for re-election against Republican David McSweeney, holds a 1:50 pm ET forum with middle-school students and teachers to discuss Internet safety at Lake Zurich Middle School in Hawthorn Woods, IL.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies holds an 11:00 am ET briefing regarding North Koreas nuclear test and associated issues at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC.

Former Sen. John Breaux (D-LA) holds a health-care discussion at American University at 12:00 pm ET.

The Commonwealth Fund and the Alliance for Health Reform co-sponsor a 12:15 pm ET luncheon briefing, "Measuring up: A Comprehensive Scorecard for America's Health System," with Cathy Schoen of the Commonwealth Fund and Tom Miller of American Enterprise Institute at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.

The Civil Society Institute is scheduled to hold a 1:30 pm ET telephone briefing to release a new survey of likely voters who are "red, white and green."

Newspaper editors from four conflict-ridden nations have a 6:00 pm ET scheduled discussion titled, "Journalists Under Fire: Covering Conflict in Four Global Hot Spots," regarding the hurdles they face in covering the news at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

George Washington University's Public Diplomacy Institute will host "Anatomy of a Failure: What Went Wrong in Iraq?" at 6:00 pm ET with Washington Post reporters Tom Ricks and Rajiv Chandresakaran.

Correction:

We want to Note a correction from yesterday's summary schedule where we mistakenly wrote that Jim Webb was endorsed by the League of Woman Voters in Virginia. Webb was in fact endorsed by the Virginia Educators Association. We regret the error.