6:05 am ET

New York Times: “Voters Give Romney Better Grades for Leadership, Polls in 3 States Find”

Washington Post: “Romney Shifts to More Moderate Stances on Taxes, Immigration, Health Care, Education”

Wall Street Journal: “Romney’s Ad Buy Tops President’s”

Associated Press: “Team Obama Hopes Veep Debate Halts GOP Momentum”

Politico: “5 Things to Watch in VP Debate”

The Hill: “Big Bird Joins List of Unwitting — and Unwilling — Campaign Props”