tool name

Sunday, Oct. 05, 2008

in brief

Palin: Obama, terrorists linked

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin on Saturday accused Democrat Barack Obama of "palling around with terrorists" because of an association with a former '60s radical, stepping up an effort to portray Obama as unacceptable to American voters.

Palin's reference was to Bill Ayers, one of the founders of the group the Weather Underground. Its members took credit for bombings, including non-fatal explosions at the Pentagon and U.S. Capitol, during the Vietnam War. Obama, who was a child when the group was active, has denounced Ayers' radical views and activities.

While Obama and Ayers live in the same Chicago neighborhood, served on a charity board together and had a fleeting political connection, it's a stretch of any reading of the public record to say the pair ever palled around.

The Obama campaign called Palin's remarks offensive but not surprising in light of news stories detailing the Republicans' come-from-behind offensive.

Todd Palin to speak with investigator

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Gov. Sarah Palin's husband, Todd, will speak to an investigator probing abuse-of-power allegations against the governor, Todd Palin's attorney said Saturday. He previously had refused to testify under subpoena in a separate inquiry by the Alaska Legislature.

Obama rips McCain health care plan

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Democrat Barack Obama sharply criticized Republican John McCain's health care proposals Saturday, saying they could force millions of Americans to struggle to buy medical insurance.

Obama gave an unusually detailed outline of his plans in a 40-minute speech to thousands at a waterside park in Newport News. He would make coverage more affordable to most Americans, he said, paying for the subsidies largely by canceling the Bush administration's tax cuts for people making more than $250,000 a year. Obama told the crowd he would reduce premiums for most people by "as much as $2,500 per family."

He would save money in the health care system, he said, by holding drug and insurance companies "accountable for the prices they charge and the harm they cause." He also said he would outlaw "insurance company discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions."

Associated Press