NPR POLITICS Trump's October Surprise 8OKT16

Steve Helber/AP Donald Trump apologized, but he's still weathering intense backlash over a newly released 2005 tape in which he talks explicitly about groping women. Some GOP leaders are withdrawing support and even calling for him to step aside in the race. Hillary Clinton and Trump are about to debate Sunday night, and the controversy will surely affect the tone of the town-hall style debate in St. Louis. Earlier in the week, both VP candidates Tim Kaine and Mike Pence became attack dogs for their candidates in a way they haven't shown on the campaign trail.

GET CAUGHT UP Ethan Miller/Getty Images In 2005 Tape, Trump Brags About Groping, Kissing WomenJust two days before Trump and Clinton are set to meet for their second presidential debate, damaging audio and video of the GOP nominee bragging about sexual assault has surfaced. Read More →

Ethan Miller/Getty Images BLUNT BILL Is Bill Clinton An Asset Or A Liability? Meanwhile, his comment that Obamacare is "the craziest thing in the world" wasn't optimal for the Clinton campaign.

Win McNamee/Getty Images STUDENTS ON THE ELECTION Teaching Politics In The Year Of Trump College students this year have a lot of questions about what's going on and what's going to happen.

Danielle Kurtzleben/NPR RELIGION What About The Christian Left? Long story short: The right is very, very Christian, while the left is much less so.

Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images ON THE ISSUES Clinton And Trump On Social Security Here's where the two major party candidates stand on social safety net programs.

Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images VP DEBATE Mike Pence Says Trump Never Said That. Well, He Did Pence had chances in Tuesday's debate to defend Trump. He dodged or denied.

ON THE INTERNET

Mark J. Terrill/AP RIP DAB A Senate Candidate Dabbed In A Debate Rep. Loretta Sanchez tried out the move to end a debate, making the move officially uncool.