In Today's Times:
The campaigns are talking about women, specifically, blue-collar women without college degrees who have slipped a rung or two on the economic ladder. Katharine Q. Seelye writes that both campaigns see this subset of swing voters, which made up 9 percent of voters in 2008, as critical to winning the election, tailoring their statements about health care and the economy to what they think those women want to hear.
The presidential campaigns have said little about national security. Scott Shane writes that the next administration must decide whether and how to scale back spending on domestic security programs in the face of guaranteed opposition from the public, Congress and lobbyists.
Nevada's struggling economy is putting Senator Harry Reid's political machine to the test, as he tries to deliver the state to Democrats next month. Adam Nagourney writes that despite infighting among Republicans and an edge among registered voters, victory is far from assured. Mr. Reid's well-oiled operation has to contend with voters' anxieties about the state's high unemployment and foreclosure rates.
Mitt Romney is showing a fresh burst of enthusiasm on the campaign trail, emphasizing his debate performances as his campaign struggles to chart a way for him to get the 270 electoral votes he needs to win the election, Jeff Zeleny and Ashley Parker write. Winning Ohio would be the easiest route, but Mr. Romney's campaign aides say that there are other viable options.
Trying to edge out of a dead heat with Mr. Romney on the campaign trail, Mr. Obama is on a two-day tour of eight swing states. Helene Cooper writes that the Obama campaign is focusing exclusively on eight swing states up until Election Day, and is particularly working to win traditional Democratic constituents like young people, women, blacks and Latinos.
Candidates in House races in Florida are setting a new low bar for dirty politics. Lizette Alvarez writes that the Sunshine State is home to some of the grimiest House contests, as the candidates compete doggedly for individual votes in very tight races.
Happening in Washington:
Economic reports scheduled to be released today include September durable goods orders and weekly jobless claims at 8:30 a.m., followed at 10 by last month's pending home sales and weekly mortgage rates.
