The failure of the financial bailout bill in the House is a classic example of an old adage: all politics is local.

Despite the fact that President George W. Bush and the leadership of both parties lined up behind the bill, the rank and file of both parties -- particularly on the Republican side -- rebelled in light of polling that showed the American public is deeply skeptical about a planned $700 billion bailout for the financial industry.

How will we know what Barack Obama and John McCain are doing right -- or wrong -- in persuading key voters as we approach Nov. 4?

It's highly unlikely that we'll see either break out to a big lead by then; it's much more likely that the two will remain deadlocked in both national and key battleground state polling all the way to Election Day. So how can we figure out whether the McCain and Obama camps' strategies over the next few weeks are working?

When Main Street bails out Wall Street, angry voters aren't far be hind. Any short-term euphoria from avoiding economic meltdown will soon be replaced by the harshest taxpayer hangover of all time. The S&L bailout cost Americans a quaint $124 billion - far less than the trillion-dollar package now debated in Washington. And it's still unclear what if any accountability the plan will impose.

See the links below for news about Charlie's campaign!

http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/

http://www.cqpolitics.com/

http://www.keepmecurrent.com/

http://www.seacoastonline.com/

http://www.politickerme.com/

Our First Ad: "Frugal"

I am excited to show you our first ad that will begin running on television across the district TODAY! Growing up in Kansas and serving with the people of Kansas over the years, I know you work extremely hard for every paycheck. As I say in the ad, the best way to stop politicans from wasting your money, is to make sure they never get it in the first place.

Click here to watch the video!

We only have six short weeks until Election Day, so if there's anyway you can help out, whether donating your time or money, I would really appreciate it! Thanks again and I'll see you on the campaign trail!

Even if McCain has yet to flip a state, a closer look at the latest battleground polling reveals that the Arizonan's gains have, in fact, trickled down. They've had two effects. First, a handful of red states that Obama once hoped to win now seem either out of reach or more favorable to McCain, whether temporarily or permanently. And second, McCain is suddenly within striking distance in a group of Blue States where Obama until recently enjoyed a comfortable lead.

Independent voters — the largest and fastest-growing segment of the American electorate — were always going to determine the winner of this election.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican Party's first woman vice presidential nominee, will have a key role among a new generation of leaders who some party activists believe must adhere to conservative principles while attracting a broader voter base.

A Mainer was in the national spotlight at a convention again Thursday night, as Charlie Summers, the GOP candidate in the 1st District U.S. House race, addressed the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.