Can we take a break from worrying about what's going to happen in November and think about something that's happening right now?  I like to think I'm well-informed and I had no idea this was going on until I read this op-ed from Hillary Clinton:

LAST month, the Bush administration launched the latest salvo in its eight-year campaign to undermine women’s rights and women’s health by placing ideology ahead of science: a proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services that would govern family planning. It would require that any health care entity that receives federal financing — whether it’s a physician in private practice, a hospital or a state government — certify in writing that none of its employees are required to assist in any way with medical services they find objectionable.

Laws that have been on the books for some 30 years already allow doctors to refuse to perform abortions. The new rule would go further, ensuring that all employees and volunteers for health care entities can refuse to aid in providing any treatment they object to, which could include not only abortion and sterilization but also contraception ...

The rule would also allow providers to refuse to participate in unspecified “other medical procedures” that contradict their religious beliefs or moral convictions. This, too, could be interpreted as a free pass to deny access to contraception ...

Many circumstances unrelated to reproductive health could also fall under the umbrella of “other medical procedures.” Could physicians object to helping patients whose sexual orientation they find objectionable? Could a receptionist refuse to book an appointment for an H.I.V. test? What about an emergency room doctor who wishes to deny emergency contraception to a rape victim? Or a pharmacist who prefers not to refill a birth control prescription?

... The 30-day comment period on the proposed rule runs until Sept. 25. Everyone who believes that women should have full access to medical care should make their voices heard. Basic, quality care for millions of women is at stake.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/19/opinion/19clinton.html?em

Forget what might happen if McCain gets elected, dies and leaves us with Sarah Palin.  By then, it'll be too late. 

I've never understood Obama's reluctance to join McCain for town hall meetings.  Yes, it's McCain's strong suit but Obama's pretty good there too.  And McCain is far more likely to make a blunder than Obama.  As Mac points out that O chooses his words very carefully while Johnny has been known to stick both feet in his mouth.

Lately, it seems like O is doing more town hall appearances.  Is he getting ready to call McCain's bluff?  Okay, old man, I'll meet you at the town hall.  Show me what you got.