AFP - Barack Obama said the US troop surge in Iraq had succeeded beyond anybody's "wildest dreams" prompting Republicans to say he showed poor judgment by at first opposing the operation.

AP - McCain caps GOP convention vowing 'change is coming' to Washington ... Obama says Republicans attack him to avoid talking about economy and housing problems ... Palin keeps up criticism of Obama as she ventures out solo to campaign ... Biden says he'll vigorously challenge Palin but refrain from personal attacks