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Vice presidential debates are often quickly forgotten, but tonight's matchup — featuring what one pundit calls "probably two of the most substantive vice presidential candidates we've ever had" — will likely be widely watched. Both men are steeped in policy but offer big contrasts in styles.

Along with campaigns and conventions come a mountain of political stuff: T-shirts, bumper stickers, buttons and everything in between. Much of it will remain just stuff, but some will be gathered by National Museum of American History curators Larry Bird and Harry Rubenstein, and become part of the Smithsonian collection. We hear what makes the cut and what they found at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida this week.

In his new book, The Parties Versus the People, the former Republican congressman says party leaders have too much control over who runs for office, what bills make it to the floor and how lawmakers vote.

The Panera coffee and sandwich chain is replacing some of its stores with nonprofit versions that allow customers to pay what they want and raise awareness about food insecurity. So far, the stores are paying for themselves.

More than 4,200 athletes from 164 countries are taking part in the Paralympics. Disabled athletes began competing when a doctor in Britain organized the international wheelchair games to coincide with the 1948 Olympics. Renee Montagne talks to Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson, a former wheelchair racer who is in the British House of Lords, about the games.

Now that Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is in charge of raising really big dollars for a superPAC that supports President Obama, wealthy Democrats all over the country may be eyeing their phones nervously. Sources tell NPR that Emanuel will be pushing for donations of $10 million and more.

Both GOP nominee Mitt Romney and President Obama have hit the campaign trail for the homestretch to Election Day. Host Michel Martin hears from two political insiders about what's in store for the final weeks: Ron Christie, former advisor to President George W. Bush, and Anita Dunn, former advisor to President Obama.

The Federal Reserve is meeting in Washington to discuss what to do with the sluggish economy. Analysts believe the Fed will take action, but some economists wonder if it will have an effect — or even be counterproductive.

The Fed has the power to create money. But it has another, critical power: The power of words.

Beginning next week, McDonald's plans to add calorie counts to its menu boards — both at drive-thrus and restaurant counters. Studies suggest that calorie boards alone don't change consumers' purchasing patterns. But consumers do seem to take note, and public health experts say it's one tangible step to helping consumers make healthier choices.