Progress Illinois

No Goofs In VP Debate
The news coming from the vice presidential debate in St. Louis last night may be that there was no news. Sarah Palin exceeded the low expectations set for her, delivering a "steady grin, folksy manner and carefully scripted talking points to punch politely and persist politically." Meanwhile, Joe Biden attacked John McCain's record "cordially" but pointedly, injecting passion into his intelligent responses. According to a CNN poll, 51 percent of respondents thought Biden did the best job compared to 36 percent for Palin, although Palin scored higher on 'likability." The Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet wrote that "Palin survived and Biden thrived."

House Vote On Bailout To Be Close
After the Senate passed a revised version of President Bush's $700 billion Wall Street bailout on Wednesday, the president and congressional leaders lobbied furiously yesterday for a dozen or so supporters to reverse their Monday vote and approve the massive rescue plan. The bill could hinge on the 24 Blue Dog Democrats who supported the bill initially, but may defect because the tax provisions in the revised Senate bill aren’t paid for with offsetting measures.

McCains Bails On Michigan
With little forewarning to state GOP officials, Republican nominee John McCain’s campaign pulled the plug on its Michigan operation yesterday, signaling it no longer thinks it can play offense in the Wolverine State. Staff is being redistributed to other battlegrounds, especially Wisconsin, Florida and Ohio. "The winds that drive presidential campaigns can shift and shift suddenly," said state party chairman Saul Anuzis. "I have no doubt the campaign will be back.”

Kirk Hitting Fundraising Targets
GOP Rep. Mark Kirk, the 10th District incumbent trying to stave off a tough challenge from Democrat Dan Seals, reported raising another $850,000 in the third quarter, bringing the four-term congressman's total this election cycle to $4.6 million. Seals' fundraising numbers were not immediately available, but he raised $650,000 last quarter.

BP Faces More EPA Scrutiny
British Petroleum is facing new questions about its Whiting, IN refinery from the Environmental Protection Agency, who accused the company Thursday of beginning a project to process heavy Canadian oil three years before it obtained the necessary permit.

CTA Fare Hikes On The Way
While CTA President Ron Huberman won't officially announce a fare hike until the CTA budget is unveiled, he hinted during a City Council committee meeting yesterday that they were on the way. Citing price jumps in ultra-low diesel bus fuel, electrical costs, and lower revenue from the real estate transfer tax and sales tax, Huberman called it "a very challenging budget year." Cab fares will be going up in 2009 for the first time in four years as well.