McCain in Ohio...Obama in North Carolina...Ike's aftermath



COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) John McCain hopes to take the lead in Ohio with the help of two appearances today. The first is outside Columbus, and the second in Toledo. No Republican candidate in recent history has won the White House without carrying Ohio.

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) Barack Obama is back in North Carolina as part of his effort to win the traditionally Republican state.

He's holding a rally today in Fayetteville. John McCain was in North Carolina just yesterday.

Washington (AP) Colin Powell says America at this point needs "a transformational figure," not just basic continuation of current policies. Powell has told NBC's "Meet the Press" that's why he's backing Barack Obama for president.

BAGHDAD (AP) A key coalition in the Iraqi government is not happy with a proposed security agreement with the U.S. It wants unspecified changes to the plan, which calls for U.S. troops to leave Baghdad and other cities by June and withdraw from Iraq entirely by the end of 2011 unless the government asks them to stay.

IN THE MARSH OF CAMERON PARISH, La. (AP) The search continues in southwest Louisiana and coastal Texas for some of the estimated 200 caskets unearthed by Hurricane Ike last month. More than 140 have been found so far.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 10-19-08 1245CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list