WHITE HOUSE
New book says Obama hoped for bin Laden trial
A new book says President Obama hoped to put Osama bin Laden on trial if he surrendered during a U.S. raid.
In a book on the raid that killed bin Laden, author Mark Bowden quotes Mr. Obama as saying he thought he could make a strong political argument for giving bin Laden the full rights of a criminal defendant, to show U.S. justice applies even to him. In the book, purchased by The Associated Press, Mr. Bowden writes that Mr. Obama said he expected the terrorist leader to go down fighting.
“The Finish” is scheduled for release Oct. 16.
Mr. Obama’s remark is the first time he has revealed his thoughts about putting the terrorist on trial.
U.S. officials have said the raiders were ordered to capture bin Laden if he surrendered, or kill if he threatened them.
WEST VIRGINIA
Roseanne Barr, Santa Claus on state’s presidential ballot
CHARLESTON | Actress-comedian Roseanne Barr, Santa Claus and former Rep. Virgil Goode of Virginia are among more than two dozen write-in presidential candidates certified for West Virginia’s ballot.
But a Texas inmate who attracted nearly 41 percent of the vote against President Obama in the Democratic primary won’t be on the general election ballot.
The Charleston Gazette reported that Keith Judd requested to be placed on the ballot, but the secretary of state’s office’s response telling Judd what he had to do to be certified was dated Sept. 17, one day before the deadline for write-in candidates to be certified.
Santa Claus is a Nevada man known as Thomas O’Connor until he legally changed his name in 2005. He also was a write-in candidate in 2008.
Mr. Goode is the Constitution Party’s presidential candidate.
CAMPAIGN
Kissinger assails candidates’ ads about ’cheating’ China
Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is criticizing both major presidential candidates for appealing to American suspicions of China in their campaigns.
Mr. Kissinger said Wednesday that the candidates have used “extremely deplorable” language by labeling China a cheat.
Last week, both campaigns issued ads promising to get tough over alleged Chinese trade violations often blamed for major U.S. job losses.
Mr. Kissinger was the architect of U.S. re-engagement with Beijing 40 years ago. He still advocates better relations between the superpowers.
Mr. Kissinger has endorsed Mitt Romney but made clear Wednesday that he opposed the Republican’s promise to designate China a currency manipulator, saying virtually all China analysts oppose it.
He said “theoreticians” advocating that step, lacking experience with China, have turned it into a crusade.
Mr. Kissinger spoke at the Wilson Center in Washington.
CAMPAIGN
Obama drinks up big lead in coffee-cup polling
Most polls are showing President Obama ahead by just a few points, but he might have a landslide victory brewing according to one unscientific poll.
A promotion by 7-Eleven is allowing customers to buy their coffee in cups emblazoned with the names of Mr. Obama or Republican challenger Mitt Romney, and the results as of Wednesday show that 60 percent have chosen Obama cups to 40 percent for Mr. Romney.
The convenience store chain, which also offers regular “undecided” cups, first ran the promotion in 2000, and it has been accurate in predicting the past three winners.
In 2008, Mr. Obama outsold Republican nominee John McCain, 52 percent to 46 percent, then went on to win the popular vote on Election Day, 53 percent to 46 percent.
In 2004, President George W. Bush outsold Democratic challenger John Kerry 51 percent to 49 percent, then notched a 51 percent to 48 percent victory to earn re-election.
INDIANA
Outside groups’ cash pours in where Senate races are close
INDIANAPOLIS | Campaign cash from outside political groups is flooding into conservative states with close Senate races, such as Indiana and Montana, where residents are less accustomed to a relentless barrage of attack ads on TV.
While the most expensive Senate battles are being fought in presidential battlegrounds such as Florida, Ohio and Virginia, Republican-leaning states, such as North Dakota and Arizona, aren’t being left out.
Campaign finance analyst Darrell West said outside groups get more bang for their buck in smaller markets such as Fargo, N.D. For example, Karl Rove’s Crossroads groups announced $4 million in ad buys Tuesday targeting competitive Senate races in North Dakota and Montana as well as Florida and Virginia.
Despite a 2-to-1 outside spending advantage, Republican chances of taking control of the Senate have shrunk.
From wire dispatches and staff reports
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