October Matters

They don't call it an October surprise for nothing.

First Read: "One month out before Election Day, it's worth reminding everyone that Octobers matter in American politics. It's the time in the cycle when campaigns start feeling the heat; front-runners see their leads shrink; debates take place; gaffes get magnified; and voters really begin to tune in. Indeed, something unexpected is bound to happen -- it almost always does. Remember: Although it first broke in late September, Mark Foley's Page-gate was an October story that certainly had an impact on the '06 midterms. And already in the last few days, we've seen a housekeeper come out of nowhere (CA GOV) and a father who was once Bozo the Clown (DE SEN). What's next? It's October, folks..."

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