Battleground States & Bellwether Counties

McCain has been forced to defend red states like North Carolina. Some of his supporters are worried, but at a recent rally, others said coming out to see McCain gives them reassurance.

Economy

Some of the banks that signed up for the Treasury Department's "capital injection" are being careful about making commitments to start lending that money out. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has reiterated his position that the Treasury expects banks to "deploy, not hoard, their capital."

Election 2008

Both presidential candidates are using automated phone calls, or robocalls, to reach voters. Although John McCain's robocalls have been criticized for being highly negative, they are a cheap alternative to TV ads.

Kitchen Table Conversations

Many Americans are struggling as banks hold a tighter grip on their money, making it more difficult for consumers to get all kinds of loans. But for some, falling home prices and the vast number of homes in foreclosure represent an opportunity to invest.

Your Money

Investors have been pulling tens of billions of dollars out of stocks and mutual funds. But if history is any guide, this is probably not the time to panic and sell a lot of stock. John Bogle, the founder of the giant mutual fund company Vanguard, offers some advice for people trying to protect their nest eggs.

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