Morning Must Reads: September 30

Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton may be suffering in the polls, but they’re not suffering for dollars. After a summer spent dominated by Donald Trump, both legacy candidates have amassed huge war chests in the fundraising quarter ending tonight. That’s not enough on its own to avoid trouble at the ballot box, particularly in Bush’s case, but it should stave off donor panic for at least a short while.

Bush and Donald Trump will hold dueling town halls in New Hampshire tonight, seeking to prove which candidate is in fact “low energy.” At the last such occurrence, Bush put his audience to sleep, only to be mocked by the GOP front-runner and cable news networks. Expect him to embrace the contrast with Trump as he seeks to turn his poll numbers around. Carly Fiorina‘s standout moment over abortion in the most recent GOP debate has not held up to fact-checker claims, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t helped her campaign, energizing conservatives and pro-life activists who are warming to her message.

Tom Brady walks back his Trump endorsement. Vice President Joe Biden is caught in a case of mistaken identity. And Ben Carson bashes the media.

Here are your must-reads:

Must Reads

Questions Remain Over Whether Video Carly Fiorina Cited in Debate Shows Abortion
TIME’s Michael Scherer on controversy surrounding Fiorina’s debate moment

Behind the Scenes With Pope Francis in America
TIME’s Elizabeth Dias reflects on 10 days in the papal bubble

Big Donors Seek Larger Roles in Presidential Campaigns
The conversation doesn’t end when the check is cashed [New York Times]

Donald Trump’s Saving Grace: Televangelists
The GOP front-runner isn’t much of a conservative Christian, but he is finding a way to play one on TV [Politico]

House GOP Hard-Liners Agitate to Have One of Their Own in a Leadership Role
Trying to shakeup Washington and their own party [Washington Post]

Clinton, Bush Steady Fundraising Amid GOP Summer Trump Slump
Polls suffer, but their bank accounts are flush [Associated Press]

Sound Off

“I don’t even know what the issues are. I haven’t paid attention to politics in a long time.” — Tom Brady walking back his endorsement of Donald Trump

“Mr. President. Vice president, sorry. Well, could have been! Can be! Who knows? If you have something news [sic] to tell us here, please let us know.” — Kristian Jensen, the foreign minister of Denmark, meeting with Vice President Joe Biden at the United Nations Tuesday

Bits and Bites

Trump’s Tax Plan Could Cost $12 Trillion, And Save Him Millions In Taxes Each Year [Money]

Edward Kennedy’s Scotch-Infused Senate Job Interview [New York Times]

Kim Davis, Kentucky Clerk, Is Said to Have Met Pope [New York Times]

How McConnell Outfoxed Ted Cruz [Politico]

Ben Carson Blames the Media for ‘Manipulating’ and ‘Taking Advantage’ of Black People [Mediaite]

Pro-Rand Paul PAC Isn’t Shutting Down, Just Asking Paul to Be More Libertarian [Washington Post]

Hillary Clinton’s Golden State Dash for Cash [CNN]

Inside Carly Fiorina’s California Campaign Meltdown [CNN]

At Home with Donald Trump and His Family [People]