Politics

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“I was looking at my government, and I wasn’t happy with it. So rather than complain, I decided to run myself. I thought I could do a better job, and I still feel that way.” - Former Marine tank commander Nick Popaditch, who lost his right eye during the April 2004 battle of Fallujah in Iraq, and who is now the Republican nominee in California’s 53rd Congressional District.

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GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney trails the president in the latest polling, increasing pressure on Mr. Romney to exceed expectations in their first debate Wednesday night. (Associated Press)

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Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (left) arrives to campaign in Springfield, Va., and President Obama arrives back at the White House after campaigning in Virginia Beach on Thursday, Sept 27, 2012. (AP Photos)

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Rev. Msgr. W. Ronald Jameson, right, greets Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, left and his son Max, 3, center, following Red Mass at Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, Washington, D.C., Sunday, September 30, 2012. Red Mass, held annually in Washington, D.C. the day before the Supreme Court's new term opens is offered to invoke God's blessing and guidance on justices, judges, diplomats, attorneys and senior government officials. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael S. Steele chats following the annual Red Mass for the U.S. Supreme Court at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Archbishop of Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl and Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts walk out of Red Mass at Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Red Mass ends at Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, Washington, D.C. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Archbishop of Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl, third from right, makes his way into Red Mass at Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, Washington, D.C., Sunday, September 30, 2012. Red Mass, held annually in Washington, D.C. the day before the Supreme Court's new term opens is offered to invoke God's blessing and guidance on justices, judges, diplomats, attorneys and senior government officials. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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**FILE** Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney campaigns on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012, at American Spring Wire in Bedford Heights, Ohio. (Associated Press)

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FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2012, photo voters wait for their ballots on day one of early voting for the November presidential election in Des Moines, Iowa. Five weeks to Election Day, President Obama is within reach of the requisite 270 Electoral College votes needed to win a second term according to an Associated Press analysis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

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House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., right talks with Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, left and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va, center, during the First Nail Ceremony for the official launch of construction of the Inaugural platform where the President of the United States will take the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

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President Obama and GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney had what aides say was their last face-to-face meeting in January 2008, when Republican and Democratic primary candidates briefly shared the stage in Manchester, N.H. They last spoke when Mr. Obama called Mr. Romney in late May to congratulate the former Massachusetts governor on securing the nomination. The two will debate Wednesday night in Denver. (Associated Press)