Week in the News

In politics, tough digs, the last head-to-head debate of the presidential campaign, and a welcome respite of humor. Obama concedes he has the ears of Alfred E. Newman. McCain jokes he’s hired Joe the Plumber to work on all seven of his houses.

This hour, On Point: We’ll look at the week. Our news roundtable goes behind the headlines.

You can join the conversation. Is the fog clearing yet for you on the American economy? On the presidential race? What do you see? Tell us.Guests:

Joining us from Washington is Liz Halloran, senior writer for U.S. News & World Report, who’s been all over the presidential campaign.

Also from Washington is David Leonhardt, economics columnist for The New York Times.

And with us from Hanover, New Hampshire, is Jack Beatty, On Point news analyst and senior editor at The Atlantic Monthly.

More links:

Here's the full video of Wednesday night's third and final presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain:

And here's the next night's comic relief at the Al Smith Memorial Dinner in New York, which featured roasts by the candidates: