IN THE HEADLINES

Obama, McCain use TV attack ads, bipartisan appeals to turn economic crisis into political gain ... Warning that crisis could hurt ordinary people, calls for support of economic plan ... Ohio again focal point in White House race as early voting begins ... McCain continues focus on Iowa despite polls giving Obama double-digit lead ... Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel to hold first joint concert to benefit Obama

Obama, McCain seek political gain in credit crisis

DES MOINES — White House rivals John McCain and Barack Obama combined televised attack ads with statesmanlike appeals for bipartisanship today as they vied for political gain in the shadow of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

Both men spoke privately with President Bush about the collapse of the financial industry, then publicly made clear their differences with him, McCain more gently than his Democratic rival.

The Republican, campaigning in Iowa, pointedly told reporters there were steps the administration could still take "with the stroke of the pen to help alleviate the crisis gripping our economy. I urge them to do so."

McCain mentioned using a federal stabilization fund to back uninsured money market accounts. The Treasury Department is already using the fund to guarantee money market mutual funds, which were the only uninsured money market accounts. Treasury announced that program Sept. 19 after the failure of Lehman Bros. produced a surge of withdrawals from such funds.

The GOP candidate also suggested wielding authority to purchase $1 trillion in mortgages. In addition, first Obama and then McCain said Congress should lift the current federal deposit insurance limit of $100,000 to $250,000.

Obama calls on Americans to support rescue plan

RENO, Nev. — Democrat Barack Obama today called on the public to get behind attempts to salvage a $700 billion rescue plan for the financial sector, saying that if Wall Street fails ordinary people will also be hurt.

"This is no longer just a Wall Street crisis. It's an American crisis, and it's the American economy that needs this rescue plan," Obama told about 12,000 people at a rally at the University of Nevada at Reno.

Obama said Congress should put aside politics — he didn't mention GOP rival John McCain by name during his remarks — and should act on the legislation quickly.

The House on Monday rejected the Bush administration's $700 billion proposal, its 228-205 vote sparking the largest sell-off on Wall Street since the day after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. Obama, McCain and President Bush all indicated support for the plan, but the legislation was highly unpopular with the public, as well as ideological groups on the left and the right.

Voting for president begins in pivotal Ohio

CLEVELAND — Five weeks before the election, Ohioans started casting their ballots today in the perennial battleground that tipped the election to President Bush four years ago and may determine his successor.

Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama are focusing intently on Ohio as they seek to pile up state-by-state victories to reach the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the White House.

Both visit often while spending millions of dollars flooding TV and radio with advertisements, mailboxes with literature and even voicemail with automated phone calls to get supporters to the polls, particularly during the one-week window that began today in which people can register and vote in one swoop.

Early participation appeared light.

At stake: 20 electoral votes — perhaps, the presidency itself.

Most recent state polls show a dead heat; others give McCain a slight edge. National surveys show Obama ahead. The disparity underscores the difficulty Obama is having in closing the deal in this pivotal state.

McCain focusing on Iowa despite polls

DES MOINES, Iowa — John McCain's second visit to Iowa in less than a month is heartening Republicans who say it is proof their presidential candidate intends to compete for the state, despite polls showing him behind Democrat Barack Obama.

Democrats counter that McCain's event here today shows he can't be elected president without winning in states where he trails his rival.

Republicans acknowledge that McCain is behind, but say the race is closer than the polling indicates.

A Des Moines Register poll conducted Sept. 8-10 showed Obama ahead, 52 percent to 40 percent, while a Big Ten Battleground Poll a few days later, conducted Sept. 14-17, found the rivals tied at 45 percent.

McCain held a small business round-table in Des Moines. His campaign also has continued television advertising in the state at roughly the same level as Obama.

Springsteen, Joel team up for Obama

WASHINGTON — Rock stars Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel are teaming for their first joint concert to benefit Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

Obama plans to attend the concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on Oct. 16, the day after Obama's final debate with Republican John McCain at Hofstra University, located several miles outside the city in Hempstead, N.Y.

Seeing the two superstars together won't come cheap. Tickets start at $500 and range up to $10,000.

The event was first reported by the Huffington Post Web site and confirmed by an Obama aide.

DAILY TRACK

Democrat Barack Obama has a 6-percentage-point lead over Republican John McCain — he has 49 percent to McCain's 43 percent — among registered voters, according to the latest Gallup Poll daily tracking update.

THE DEMOCRATS

Barack Obama attended a rally in Reno, Nev.

Joe Biden had no public schedule.

THE REPUBLICANS

John McCain talked about small businesses in Des Moines, Iowa.

Sarah Palin had no public schedule.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"And to all Americans, I say this: If I am president of the United States, this rescue plan will not be the end of what we do to strengthen this economy. It will only be the beginning." — Barack Obama.

STAT OF THE DAY

3,100: The number of media credentials the Commission on Presidential Debates has assigned for the vice presidential debate. The commission says it's the most ever of the seven vice presidential debates it has hosted.