Election 2008 Roundup

• The Associated Press reports on the reticent approach to public debates displayed by some candidates this year, particularly incumbents.

• Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine will headline this year's Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, held by the state Democratic Party and slated for Saturday in Charleston. AP has details, while The Charleston Gazette noted earlier that the Democrats had tried to land Barack Obama or Joe Biden. (Gov. Joe Manchin told AP earlier that he had gotten Kaine to commit to speaking while he was on Obama's VP short list. Obama spoke at the 2006 dinner, while former President Bill Clinton headlined it last year.)

• The Gazette scrutinizes polling in the state Supreme Court race, with a noted national political analyst questioning one recent survey.