National

The Obama machine is new kind of hybrid of top-down leadership and bottom-up energy. While many of its activities are initiated from above, it is also benefiting from a huge outpouring of voter-to-voter self-organizing. By putting the power in supporters' keyboards, the political machinery of 2008 has differed dramatically from that of previous election years.

Early voting has started in some parts of the country in the lead up to the Nov. 4 election. While voting has gone smoothly in many areas, some voters have already encountered defective machines.

Early voting has started in some parts of the country in the lead up to the Nov. 4 election. While voting has gone smoothly in many areas, some voters have already encountered defective machines.

Some Floridians are waiting up to two hours to cast their ballot in early voting. What does Florida bode this time around? Reporters Eric Deggans and Marc Caputo join Farai Chideya with more.

Some Floridians are waiting up to two hours to cast their ballot in early voting. What does Florida bode this time around? Reporters Eric Deggans and Marc Caputo join Farai Chideya with more.

Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin was in Troy, Mich., where she brought up "Joe the Plumber" to criticize Barack Obama's economic policies. Meanwhile, Joe Biden campaigned in Charlotte, N.C., where he continued his attack on the McCain campaign.

Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin was in Troy, Mich., where she brought up "Joe the Plumber" to criticize Barack Obama's economic policies. Meanwhile, Joe Biden campaigned in Charlotte, N.C., where he continued his attack on the McCain campaign.

News broke yesterday that since Sarah Palin's nomination for vice president, her wardrobe budget has cost more than a Porsche. Does it matter whether she was a passive participant being dressed by the GOP or if she went on a shopping spree? Yes, say Slate.com's XX Factor bloggers Nina Rastogi and Melinda Henneberger.

News broke yesterday that since Sarah Palin's nomination for vice president, her wardrobe budget has cost more than a Porsche. Does it matter whether she was a passive participant being dressed by the GOP or if she went on a shopping spree? Yes, say Slate.com's XX Factor bloggers Nina Rastogi and Melinda Henneberger.

GOP presidential nominee John McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin are campaigning separately Thursday after a pair of tag-team rallies Wednesday in the battleground state of Ohio. Palin continues to energize the Republican base, but there are signs she's not helping the ticket win broader appeal.