Obama acknowledges struggling economy could hurt Democratic Party in November elections. President Barack Obama is conceding that if the midterm election turns out to be mostly a referendum on the economy, "we're not going to do well."

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama warned on Thursday that a Florida pastor's plan to burn copies of the Koran is being used as an al Qaeda recruitment tool and he urged the minister to reconsider the decision.

Obama: Emanuel to decide on Chicago mayoral bid after Nov. elections, would be 'terrific'. President Barack Obama says his chief of staff would make a "terrific mayor" of Chicago. But Obama says he expects Rahm Emanuel to hold off on deciding whether to enter the race until after the midterm elections.

Tea party members in Montana back dismissed president, resign from the group. A Montana tea party association's board will reconsider kicking its president out of the group for an anti-gay exchange on Facebook after several members resigned over his dismissal, a board member said Wednesday.

POLITICAL INSIDER: Tea Party Express soliciting cash to influence GOP primary in Delaware. The Tea Party Express is asking supporters to raise $250,000 for its preferred candidate in Delaware's contentious Senate primary.

Ethics-battered Rangel finds himself in grudge match with legendary Harlem predecessor's son. It sounds like a political grudge match for the ages: Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel, battered by ethics charges and stripped of his chairmanship of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, defending his seat against Adam Clayton Powell IV, son of the legendary Harlem lawmaker Rangel ousted 40 years ago.

Bill Clinton says Democrats must fight anger, apathy and amnesia to win voters before November. Former President Bill Clinton said Wednesday it would be a mistake for voters to give in to "anger, apathy and amnesia" and deprive Arkansas of the Senate Agriculture chairmanship by defeating Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln.

Bill Clinton says Democrats must fight anger, apathy and amnesia to win voters before November. Former President Bill Clinton says it would be a "terrible mistake" for Arkansas voters to defeat Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln and lose her post chairing the Senate Agriculture Committee.

GOP Sen. candidate Boozman retools ad to remove logo, stadium after U. of Arkansas complaint. Republican Senate candidate John Boozman has removed the University of Arkansas logo and football stadium from his latest campaign ad after the school asked him to pull the original spot.

Conway Web-based fundraiser raises more than $300K as Paul makes new plea for campaign cash. Democrat Jack Conway reported more than $300,000 in contributions Wednesday from his first Web-based fundraiser and Republican Rand Paul sought more cash as the rivals for the U.S. Senate readied fall TV ad blitzes.

PARMA, Ohio (Reuters) - President Barack Obama, fighting to keep Democrats in charge of Congress, said on Wednesday the United States could not afford to extend Bush-era tax cuts for the rich and accused Republicans of being fiscally irresponsible.

Arizona's 'toughest' sheriff Joe Arpaio says he backs Sharron Angle in tight NV Senate race. The nation's self-professed toughest sheriff says Nevada voters should fire Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

National GOP governor's group hints it won't fund Maes in Colo. race against Hickenlooper. Colorado Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Maes is shrugging off the suggestion that a national GOP group won't help finance his campaign anymore and said Wednesday he will continue to fight for votes.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The sole Republican candidate for New York attorney general says he does not want to be the next "sheriff of Wall Street" and would give up the national prominence the job offers in favor of tackling political corruption in the capital.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Wednesday that Democrats risked punishment in November's congressional elections if they allow the vote to be just about the U.S. economy, rather than the two parties' policies.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Wednesday the United States needed more incentives to stimulate job growth and bolster a slow recovery from a "savage" recession.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A volatile political environment is boosting the possibility that U.S. lawmakers will pass legislation designed to prod China into letting its currency rise more rapidly against the dollar.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Drug gangs in Mexico and Central America are morphing into an insurgency like that which gripped Colombia 20 years ago, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday, promising more U.S. help to fight traffickers.

NJ governor heads to Iowa _ but not because he wants to be president, staff says. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, already a tough-talking, budget-slashing, union-bashing regular on cable news talk shows, denies he's considering a presidential run whenever he's asked.

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva boasted on Wednesday of having won trade disputes against the United States and likened his country to a mouse that scared an elephant.

California's Prop 19 to legalize marijuana is catchiest measure on state ballots this fall. No single election contest this fall combines the buzz and history-making potential of California's Proposition 19, which would make the state the first to legalize recreational use of marijuana.

ADWATCH: Political ads stretch health care facts, omit others in divisive election year. When it comes to sorting out President Barack Obama's health care initiative, take three political ads and call a doctor in the morning.

EDITOR'S NOTE ? An occasional look at the claims made in political advertising.

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will attend a U.N. summit on Sudan this month, U.S. officials said on Wednesday as they stepped up a bid to head off conflict there before a referendum that could split the African nation.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Nobody at the White House would be surprised if President Barack Obama's influential right-hand man, Rahm Emanuel, decides to run for Chicago mayor and already there is speculation as to who would replace him.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Wednesday the United States is recovering slowly from a "savage" recession that has caused deep job cuts and a loss of confidence.

Kaine, DNC's chairman, rallies Dems for November elections, says party will fight for progress. Democrats face a tough campaign heading into the critical November midterm elections, but the U.S. won't make any progress if they don't fight for it, Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine said Wednesday at an event intended to rally his party for the fall.

While some Democrats keep their distance, Ill. Senate candidate embraces Obama in new TV ad. Illinois U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias prominently showcases President Barack Obama in a new campaign ad released Wednesday even though many Democrats are keeping their distance from the president and his falling approval ratings.

Pennsylvania governor, helping rally Democrats, says GOP is becoming dominated by 'wacko wing'. Pennsylvania's Democratic governor says that "wackos" are taking over the Republican Party in Congress.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States tries to support democratic forces in Iran but in a way that does not undermine or endanger them, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday.

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama will attend a U.N.-organized summit on Sudan on the margins of the U.N. General Assembly on September 24, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said on Wednesday.

As Obama's popularity drops, number of Democratic candidates seeking his help falls, too. President Barack Obama doesn't go there anymore.

As economic worries mount, some blue-collar Democrats consider backing GOP candidates. Mike Riggen is out of work. Most of his friends are out of work, too. He's raising two children on his own and they have expensive health problems.

Sen. Feingold defends record as 'career politician,' says opponent is personally attacking him. Sen. Russ Feingold defended himself as a "career politician" on Wednesday, challenging his Republican opponent to explain to him in person why that's such a bad thing.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The huge U.S. budget deficit poses a national security threat and projects a "message of weakness" internationally, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday as she urged Democrats and Republicans to tackle the problem.

Tea party members in Montana back dismissed president, resign from the group. Several members of a Montana tea party group have resigned after the association's president was dismissed over an exchange on Facebook that appeared to condone violence against gays.

HANNIBAL, Missouri (Reuters) - Some Tea Partiers admit mistakes were made. Others are quick to describe the movement's recent efforts in the political arena as not quite ready for prime time.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - House of Representatives Republican leader John Boehner called on Wednesday for a two-year freeze on all current U.S. tax rates, including Bush-era tax cuts for the rich set to expire at the end of this year.

BEIJING (Reuters) - China and the United States said on Wednesday that their sometimes rocky relationship is sounder after talks in Beijing, with both putting an optimistic face on ties that have been jolted by economic and security tensions.

Former NM governor, little known nationally, mulls presidential run on small gov't platform. Despite two terms as governor of New Mexico and recent visits to 26 states, most Americans have never heard of Gary Johnson.

Former NM governor, little known nationally, mulls presidential run on small gov't platform. Despite two terms as governor of New Mexico and recent visits to 26 states, most Americans have never heard of Gary Johnson.

POLITICAL INSIDER: Republicans cast more primary ballots than Democrats. Looking for yet another sign Democrats are in trouble? Take note of who is showing up to vote in the primaries.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. religious leaders on Tuesday condemned an "anti-Muslim frenzy" in the United States, including plans by a Florida church to burn a Koran on September 11, an act a top general said could endanger American troops abroad.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. government team will travel to Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing next week to discuss North Korea but has no plans to visit the poor, isolated state or meet its officials, the State Department said Tuesday.

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said on Tuesday the Senate would return for a "mopping-up" session after the November congressional elections and that he hoped to find support for a national renewable energy standard by year-end.

Ariz. Green Party sues 'sham candidates' allegedly recruited by GOP to syphon votes from Dems. The Arizona Green Party is asking a judge to kick more than half of the group's nominees off the November ballot.

Frank slams former town hall foe during Mass. Democratic primary debate for criticizing Obama. U.S. Rep. Barney Frank slammed his Democratic primary challenger and former town hall foe for comparing President Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler during a debate Tuesday night.

Ky. Senate candidate Paul dons scrubs for 1st fall TV ad, bashes federal health care reforms. Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul is back in scrubs for his first TV ad of the fall campaign, declaring: "I'm a physician, not a career politician."

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley says he won't seek 7th term leading nation's 3rd-largest city. Mayor Richard M. Daley, who wielded more control over Chicago than anyone but his father decades before, said Tuesday he will not seek re-election, bringing a surprising end to a dynasty whose name became synonymous with the city's legendary political machine.

Senate leader Harry Reid blames Bush, Wall Street for nation's economic plight. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid knows who's to blame for the sickly economy. And it's not him.