Palin repeats claim of Obama ties to ‘terrorist’

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Sen. and Republican Presidential Nominee John McCain

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Sen. and Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama

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Joe Biden

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Sarah Palin

Palin repeats claim of Obama ties to ‘terrorist’

OMAHA, Neb. — Sarah Palin defended her claim that Barack Obama “pals around with terrorists,” saying the Democratic presidential nominee’s association with a 1960s radical is an issue that is “fair to talk about.”

Obama has denounced the radical views and actions of Bill Ayers, a founder of the violent Weather Underground group during the Vietnam era. On Sunday, Obama dismissed the criticism from the McCain campaign, leveled by Palin, as “smears” meant to distract voters from real problems such as the troubled economy.

Palin, the Republican vice presidential candidate, launched the attack Saturday and repeated it twice Sunday, signaling a new strategy by John McCain’s presidential campaign to go after Obama’s character.

Springsteen gives concert at OSU to support Obama

COLUMBUS — For the second day in a row, rock star Bruce Springsteen sang a few songs and urged thousands of potential voters in a battleground state to register and support Democrat Barack Obama.

Springsteen’s free acoustic concert at Ohio State University in front of about 10,000 followed Saturday’s performance in Philadelphia, where he called the Bush administration “a disaster.” He repeated that comment Sunday, and indicated that Obama would lead an “American reclamation project” to restore the country’s international reputation.

7 Palin aides agree to testify in investigation

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Seven aides to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin have reversed course and agreed to testify in an investigation into whether the Republican vice presidential nominee abused her powers by firing a commissioner who refused to dismiss her former brother-in-law.

There is no indication, however, that Palin or her husband will now agree to testify in the legislative inquiry, which has dogged her for the past several months and could hurt John McCain in the final weeks of the presidential race.

Obama allies warn McCain

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Barack Obama’s allies warn that John McCain’s attacks on the Democrat’s character will lead to the political equivalent of mutual assured destruction: Fire your big weapon at your own peril.

Several Obama surrogates said his supporters may start reminding voters of McCain’s ties to Charles Keating, a convicted savings and loan owner whose actions two decades ago triggered a Senate ethics investigation that involved McCain as one of the “Keating Five.” On Sunday Obama unveiled a TV ad on the economy that paints McCain was “erratic in a crisis.”

Biden’s mother-in-law dies

WASHINGTON — Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden has canceled his campaign appearances today and Tuesday after the death of his mother-in-law Sunday.

Biden spokesman David Wade said Bonny Jean Jacobs, the mother of Biden’s wife, Jill, died Sunday after a long illness. Jacobs was 78 and lived in Willow Grove, Pa. Wade described her as a “homemaker and avid gardener with a lifelong love of reading.”

Associated Press