Today on the presidential campaign trail

[Ron Burgundy]

IN THE HEADLINES

Obama, McCain use TV attack ads, bipartisan appeals to turn economic crisis to political gain ... Palin says she represents 'Joe Six-pack' while noting $20,000 drop in stocks ... Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel hold their first joint concert to benefit Barack Obama

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Obama, McCain seek political gain in credit crisis

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — White House rivals John McCain and Barack Obama combined televised attack ads with statesmanlike appeals for bipartisanship on Tuesday 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."

Obama's campaign released a new commercial critical of the administration and his campaign rival at the same time. "The old trickle-down theory has failed us," the Illinois senator said in the ad. "We can't afford four more years like the last eight."

At day's end, both men, as well as Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, made plans to return to Washington to vote in the Senate on a resurrected bailout bill.

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Palin says she represents 'Joe Six-pack'

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin portrayed herself Tuesday as a champion of everyday people while noting her family's stock portfolio took a $20,000 hit last week.

"It's time that normal Joe Six-pack American is finally represented in the position of vice presidency," the Republican vice presidential candidate told radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt.

Palin said if she and John McCain win, they will "put government back on the side of the people of Joe Six-pack like me."

Palin said she and her husband, Todd, have been affected by the economic downturn.

"I know what Americans are going through," she said a day after a record 778-point plunge on Wall Street. "Todd and I, heck, we're going through that right now even as we speak, which may put me again kind of on the outs of those Washington elite who don't like the idea of just an everyday, working-class American running for such an office."

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Springsteen, Joel team up for Obama

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rock stars Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel are teaming up 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.

Springsteen also planned to perform Saturday at a Philadelphia rally to boost the Obama campaign's voter registration drive. Polls show a close race between Obama and McCain in Pennsylvania, a state John Kerry won in 2004.

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THE DEMOCRATS

Barack Obama is scheduled to attend a rally in La Crosse, Wis., before returning to Washington to vote on the financial bailout bill.

Joe Biden will also be in Washington to vote on the bailout.

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THE REPUBLICANS

John McCain planned to stop in Independence, Mo., before returning to Washington to vote on the bailout.

Sarah Palin has no public schedule.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"He's got a tremendous amount of experience and, you know, I'm the new energy, the new face, the new ideas." — Sarah Palin, comparing herself with Joe Biden.

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STAT OF THE DAY:

An estimated 52.4 million viewers watched the first debate Friday between John McCain and Barack Obama, according to Nielsen Media Research. That's 10 million less than the first debate between President Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry in 2004.

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Compiled by Ann Sanner.

source: AP - http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081001/ap_on_el_pr/2008_race_rundown [link]