Behind The Campaign Frenzy, Big Issues At Stake In Presidential Election
The New York Times: Political Memo: Debt Impasse Shadow Race For Presidency
Substantively, any agreement in Congress, which opens a week after the election, could define the terms for how Mr. Obama and lawmakers move next year on efforts to contain the long-term costs of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, the programs that are driving forecasts of unsustainable debt. And it would determine how much money is available to address Mr. Obama's priorities like education, energy and health care through his term (Calmes, 10/15).