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The next big election: Nov. 4 general election

• In our third and hottest election of the year, we will pick a president, choose members of the state Assembly, Bakersfield City Council and Kern High School District, and settle whether gay couples can get married in California.
• The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 17.

Poll: Anti-gay marriage measure failing
A majority of Central Valley voters support a ballot initiative banning same-sex marriage but they may not get their way in November because statewide, more folks oppose it.

Weir recall vote won't make November ballot
The attempt to recall Bakersfield City Councilman Ken Weir will not be on the November ballot.

Farm Bureau endorses Gilmore for Assembly seat
Republican Danny Gilmore picked up the endorsement of the California Farm Bureau Federation on Monday, with an official announcement at the Kern County Farm Bureau office.

Parra blasts back, says she's staying a Democrat
The Kern County Democrats’ intraparty slugfest continued Friday as Assemblywoman Nicole Parra lashed out at the county party’s central committee and her longtime rival, State Sen. Dean Florez, even as she called for an end to too much partisanship.

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Dobson shifts positions, may endorse McCain
Conservative Christian leader James Dobson has softened his stance against Republican presidential hopeful John McCain, saying he could reverse his position and endorse the Arizona senator despite serious misgivings.

Obama expected to meet with commanders of Iraq war
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's visit to Iraq for talks with commanders of a war he long opposed follows the prime minister's apparent endorsement of his troop withdrawal plan and a shift by the White House away from refusing to discuss that option.

Giuliani takes McCain out to the ballgame
With Democrat Barack Obama on the other side of the planet, Republican presidential candidate John McCain stayed closer to home Sunday, visiting Yankee Stadium with former Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Obama spends less in June, saves resources
Barack Obama cut back on his spending in June after securing the Democratic presidential nomination, building up his cash on hand as Republican rival John McCain outspent him with a heavy dose of television advertising.

Poll

Who is your favorite president?

George W. Bush.
Jackson.
Jefferson.
JFK.
Lincoln.
Reagan.
Roosevelt.
Truman.
Washington.
None of the above.

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