Slate's "Today's Papers"

Two major attacks in Afghanistan and no word on a running mate - By Ryan Grim - Slate Magazine:

The Washington Post and New York Times lead with dual Taliban assaults, one that killed 10 French soldiers and another on a NATO base, as the death toll continues to climb in Afghanistan; the Times New York City-edition headline highlights the base assault while the Post singles out the attack on the French. USA Today leads with a piece on how record government spending on construction is helping prop up the economy. The Wall Street Journal gives its lead space to fears of Freddie Mac's stability and tops its world-wide newsbox with a NATO call for Russia to withdraw from Georgia, though it seems only to be showing signs of staying. The Los Angeles Times leads with a poll showing Barack Obama and John McCain in a statistical tie. Nine percent of voters said they would be "uncomfortable" voting for a black candidate. Obama still led McCain 45-43, within the margin of error.

The NYT generally makes a PDF image of its national edition available by 4:00 a.m. Eastern time, but by 6:00 a.m., TP's deadline, the only version available was the New York City one, fueling TP's speculation, entirely unfounded, that the Times was holding out as long as possible for a potential morning text message from Barack Obama—the method he has said he will use—announcing his running mate. By TP's deadline, Obama had yet to hit send.