In Today's Times:
- Since Missouri abolished campaign contribution limits in 2008, one man has donated more than $20 million to candidates and political action committees, making him perhaps the most influential private citizen in the state. And if the lawyers and activists mounting challenges to federal caps have their way, Missouri is offering the rest of the nation a glimpse of the future, Nicholas Confessore reports.
- An obscure provision of the new health care law is fueling campaign ads attacking Republicans for voting to give themselves “taxpayer-funded health care for life,†a potentially damaging charge Republicans say is misleading, Robert Pear reports.
- Three of the most hotly contested states - Colorado, Florida and Nevada - are getting some extra attention as the presidential campaigns vie for Latino voters there with a surge of ads and volunteers, Adam Nagourney and Fernanda Santos report.
- A federa l court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act on Thursday, saying it violated the equal protection rights of gay Americans and setting the stage for a potential Supreme Court review of the same-sex marriage issue, John Schwartz reports.
- With just 19 days until Election Day, President Obama's stump speech can be boiled down to one basic message: Vote. Facing a decline in voter enthusiasm compared to 2008 in an election that will likely hinge on turnout, Mr. Obama is focused on getting people to the polls, Mark Landler reports.
Washington Happenings:
- Mr. Obama will speak at a campaign rally at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., before heading to Camp David on Friday.
- The National Association of Realtors will release its numbers on existing home sales for September.
