Today's Top Stories

1) Since Barack Obama delivered a speech in Iowa endorsing ethanol as an alternative fuel, the Senator has been questioned about his close links with the ethanol industry. Mr. Obama argued that embracing ethanol “ultimately helps our national security, because right now we’re sending billions of dollars to some of the most hostile nations on earth.” Mr. Obama is running as a reformer, who seeks to limit the influence of special interest groups. Source: The New York Times

2) A recent Gallup poll reveals that 61% of Democrats are more enthusiastic than usual about voting in this election, whereas just 35% of Republicans said the same. Source: MSNBC

3) At the California State University, Fresno, Senator John McCain stated, “I further propose we inspire the ingenuity and resolve of the American people by offering a $300 million prize for the development of a battery package that has the size, capacity, cost and power to leapfrog the commercially available plug-in hybrids or electric cars.” Speaking on the topic of energy efficiency, Mr. McCain spoke out against subsidies for ethanol and reiterated his support for lifting the ban on offshore drilling. Source: The New York Times

4) Obama campaign strategists have targeted African American voters with the prospect of electing the nation’s first African American President, while carefully making sure not to alienate white voters. A significant percentage of African Americans living in Southern states, previously not mobilized to vote, may take part in the election as a result of the Senator’s candidacy. This could bring in new Democratic voters in five battleground states. Source: The Los Angeles Times

5) With allegations that Senator Barack Obama is a Muslim and married a woman who refers to whites as “whitey,” Mr. Obama launched a site to fight back against unfounded attacks. However, some Muslims have criticized Mr. Obama’s site nothing that being called a Muslim is not a slur. The website says, “Smear: Barack Obama is a Muslim... Truth: Sen. Obama has never been a Muslim, was not raised as a Muslim and is a committed Christian." Source: Huffington Post