Sen. Hillary Clinton turned 61 today. She spent the day in Chicago.

She attended a fundraiser brunch for Sen. Barack Obama and an AIPAC conference and then visited with friends.

Late this afternoon, Judge Sullivan dismissed the juror in the Ted Stevens trial who had traveled to California after her father died. Judge Sullivan had not been able to reach her and did not know when she would return. Over defense objections, Judge Sullivan decided to seat an alternate juror. Jurors will begin deliberations on Monday. Because the new juror did not participate in last week's deliberations, the jurors will be instructed to begin anew without considering prior deliberations.

The decision is a blow to Stevens's defense team, which wanted the judge to wait until Monday to see whether the court could establish contact with the juror. If the woman could not be reached, then the court should proceed with just 11 jurors, said defense attorney Robert Cary. ...

Since deliberations began last week, there have been signs of tensions during talks, including reports of one woman being "rude" and making "violent outbursts" among the jurors. Signs of tensions usually are positive for defense attorneys, but a new juror could potentially provide a calming presence.

"New Subject" highlights that John McCain is out of ideas, out of touch and running out of time. With no plan to lift our economy up, John McCain is trying to tear Barack Obama down with scare tactics and smears.

The Des Moines Register has endorsed Barack Obama for President. Why not John McCain?

But it's as if McCain has lost his way, forfeiting principle for gain of a few points in the polls. He put on hold his long-sought quest for comprehensive immigration reform. Though widely regarded as a man of honor, he has overseen a campaign premised on purposeful distortions about Obama and his record.

Worst of all, in grasping for political edge in his choice of a running mate, he burdened his ticket and potentially the country with an individual utterly unqualified to ascend to the presidency. Before choosing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, McCain emphasized the importance of experience and sound judgment in fighting terrorism and confronting a restive Russia and a rising China. He has also questioned Obama's readiness to be commander in chief. Then he picked a running mate who clearly isn't ready.(emphasis supplied.)

On the plus side for Obama, besides the economy and his inspiring of voters: [More...]

The Anchorage Daily News today endorsed Barack Obama for President. While it has some encouragement for Palin as regards her future career in politics, it aptly notes:

To step in and juggle the demands of an economic meltdown, two deadly wars and a deteriorating climate crisis would stretch the governor beyond her range. Like picking Sen. McCain for president, putting her one 72-year-old heartbeat from the leadership of the free world is just too risky at this time.

Obama leads McCain in daily newspaper endorsements 160 to 59, an almost 3-1 margin. Here's a list.

London's Financial Times assesses the presidential race and concludes Barack Obama is the better choice:

Mr Obama ran his [campaign] superbly; Mr McCain’s has often looked a shambles. After eight years of George W. Bush, the steady competence of the Obama operation commands respect.

Nor should one disdain Mr Obama’s way with a crowd. Good presidents engage the country’s attention; great ones inspire. Mr McCain, on form, is an adequate speaker but no more. Mr Obama, on form, is as fine a political orator as the country has heard in decades. Put to the right purposes, this is no mere decoration but a priceless asset.

[more ...]

Update: Police say more than 100,000 showed up to hear Obama. A pretty good slideshow of photos is here. Another is here.

Bump and Update: 9 News is live streaming the Obama rally in Civic Center Park. He should arrive at any moment. 7 News streaming has a larger screen. The music has been very good so far.

Update: He's speaking. "It's good to be back in Denver. It's good to be back in Colorado. Introduces Sen. Ken Salazar. Gov. Bill Ritter. Our soon to be Senator Mark Udall. Congresspersons Diana DeGette, Ed Perlmutter.Former Mayor Federico Pena.

He asks how many have already voted. Loud cheers. He tells them to use the mail-in ballot, don't stand in line. He thanks everyone for the good wishes, cards, etc. on his grandmother.

"Colorado, in just 9 days, you have the chance to elect your next President." He's beginning the prepared remarks, you can read them here.

[More...]

Newsweek reports RNC donors were furious about the $150,000 clothing expense shelled out for Gov. Sarah Palin's clothes.

Lobbyist Andrea McWilliams, a GOP fundraiser in Texas, said the flap undercut the party's message. Palin's "transformation from low couture to haute couture isn't the kind of change that voters had in mind," she said.

Marty Eisenstadt takes a closer look at the expenditure form and notes that the second make-up artist, Tracy Thorpe, was flown in and paid $900 to give Sarah Palin a spray tan to get rid of her "Eskimo tan."

Newsweek reports the McCain campaign "directed" the RNC to foot the clothing bill. [More...]

The NYTimes Ed Board approves of the slouching towards a new HOLC:

At a hearing on Thursday in the Senate Banking Committee, Sheila Bair, the chairwoman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, confirmed that the F.D.I.C. is working with the Treasury to streamline the reworking of troubled mortgages. The aim is to make the loans affordable over the long term so that borrowers can avoid foreclosure and keep their homes. Though details of the plan are not yet worked out, the outline calls for creating standardized criteria that would be used by mortgage servicers, the firms that handle collection and foreclosure proceedings for lenders and mortgage investors. Loans modified under the criteria would be eligible for a federal guarantee that would protect lenders and investors against default.

I welcome the recognition of the problem. I think these steps are clearly inadequate. A full blown new agency - a new HOLC, is necessary.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

Josh Marshall asks:

Why is Sarah Palin referring to Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) as "Uncle Barney Frank"? Someone help me with this.

The John Birch Society used to call Joseph Stalin "Uncle Joe," in derisive reference to the US alliance with Russia during WWII. Get it? Barney Frank is a Communist according to the Republicans.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

David Brooks get his licks in early. Most of it is nonsense but it is fun to read this:

McCain and Republicans stayed within their lines . . . the old resentments and the narrow appeal of conventional Republicanism. As a result, Democrats now control the middle.

Markos previews the coming GOP civil war:

The only thing worth mentioning today in the polling is the laughs we get watching John Zogby's attempts to get mentioned on the Sunday Talk shows. As I have declared for years now, John Zogby is a clown, not a pollster. His guiding priniciple as a "pollster" is to come up with the result that is most likely to get him publicity. He does not fail us this morning as he has a big move for McCain. It will be interesting to see who besides Fox bites.

Among the real polls, Obama's lead remains siginificant and steady. DKos/R2000 has Obama by 11, 51-40. Ras has Obama by 8, 52-44. Gallup has Obama by 8, 51-43. ABC/WaPo has Obama up 9, 53-44. Hotline has Obama by 7, 50-43. IBD/TIPP has Obama by 4, 46-42 (Obama is trending up in this poll, which had McCain only down one a few days ago.)

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only