The (credit watch) placement reflects Standard & Poor's concerns over the ability of the state, as a result of recent market conditions, to successfully access the short-term market to meet its pressing cash flow needs 
Selected and fresh photos from around the web.
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Editor's pick
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Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) speaks during a campaign rally in the rain at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, September 27, 2008.
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A puppy stands on a truck carrying people to be evacuated from the area in preparation for the approach of Hurricane Gustav in Batabano, on the southern coast of Cuba, August 30, 2008. Powerful Hurricane Gustav roared toward western Cuba on Saturday with 125 mph (205 kph) winds on its way to the oil-rich Gulf of Mexico after a deadly pass through the Caribbean.
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BANGKOK, THAILAND - AUGUST 30: A member of Anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) stands behind barbed wire outside Government on August 30, 2008, in Bangkok, Thailand. The protesters want to unseat the seven-month old coalition government lead by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.
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Georgian soldiers run near a blazing building after a Russian bombardment in Gori, 80 km (50 miles) from Tbilisi, August 9, 2008. A Russian warplane dropped a bomb on an apartment block in the Georgian town of Gori on Saturday, killing at least 5 people, a Reuters reporter said. The bomb hit the five-story building in Gori close to Georgia's embattled breakaway province of South Ossetia when Russian warplanes carried out a raid against military targets around the town.
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Hot off the wire
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In this undated photo released by Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service in Tokyo Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, wearing glasses, stands with uniformed soldiers during his visit to a military unit in unknown location of North Korea. North Korea released pictures of Kim on Saturday for the first time in nearly two months.
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India's Virender Sehwag walks back towards the pavilion after his dismissal on the third day of their first test match against Australia in Bangalore October 11, 2008.
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CONCORD, NC - OCTOBER 10: Kyle Busch (L), driver of the #18 NOS Energy Drink Toyota, is congratulated by team president JD Gibbs (R), in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series Dollar General 300 at Lowe's Motor Speedway on October 10, 2008 in Concord, North Carolina.
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Recently starred
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Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin speaks at a meeting with Russia's Communist Party in Moscow, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008. Vladimir Putin said Thursday the wide-ranging financial crisis has irreparably damaged the image of the U.S. as the leader of the free world and the global economy.
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Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin smiles as he poses with a tiger cub on October 10, 2008 which was presented to him on his bithday on October 7, in Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow.
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U.S. Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain (R-AZ) listens to questions from supporters as his vice presidential running mate Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (R) looks on during a town hall meeting in Waukesha, Wisconsin October 9, 2008.
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Director Ridley Scott and girlfriend Giannina Facio attend the world premiere of 'Body Of Lies' at the Rose Hall Theater on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008 in New York.
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Quotes about Standard Poor's
If the allegations are true, they are a poor reflection upon the standard operating procedure of Tennessee Democrats ... That kind of anything goes, ‘it’s just part of a campaign’ mentality results in a young man thinking it is okay to hack into Gov. Palin’s private e-mail account.
was said
in KnoxNews
The turmoil in financial markets has affected many aspects of the economy, including pensions. The most direct effect on pensions is through the prices of financial assets such as corporate equities and bonds ... The Standard & Poor's 500 stock market index, for example, has fallen by more than 25 percent over the past year as the outlook for the economy and corporate profits has worsened.
said Peter Orzag
The problems facing employers is being exacerbated by poor investment returns, declining asset values and longer life expectancy. Employer contributions have had to rise significantly in recent years simply to meet the draconian discontinuance funding standard. Defined benefit pension costs are increasingly regarded as a ‘bottomless pit'
was said
in FinFacts
This is a great time to talk about what very poor countries are like and that we are nowhere near that ... Unlike the people of Haiti and sub-Saharan Africa, we have an abundance of fresh food to eat, clean water to drink, jobs to work, and free public schools to attend. This is a refresher on gratitude and appreciation. No matter what happens, our standard of living is really is a dream.
was said
in MSNBC
Quotes from articles mentioning Standard Poor's
The calls I’m getting - every money manager I deal with, and every client I talk to - are just very emotional. This is a very, very emotional time, and most of them are taking steps to shore up their defenses, reducing exposure to stocks just to defend their portfolios
said Hugh Johnson
Additional market value losses will place some strain on the company's resources ... AIG's potential access to the capital market may be more restricted in the short term.
was said
in Newsvine
We are pleased that Standard & Poor's has affirmed our rating of A/Stable ... Their rating confirms our commercial and personal lines business strategy of providing value-added services at a cost savings to our customers. The rating validates for our customers, independent agents, and reinsurers that we are a strong company with which to work and that we will be able to meet our policyholder obligations.
said Marc Meiches
