Morning Must Reads: October 15

President Obama will announce Thursday that he is halting the scheduled U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, leaving about 5,500 service-members on the ground when he leaves office in January 2017. In a testament to the U.S. failure to stand up an effective Afghan security force—and the Taliban’s recent gains—the current 9,800-strong troop level will be maintained through much of 2016, the administration said. As a candidate in 2012, Obama had pledged to end the Afghanistan War—the nation’s longest—in 2014, and though the official “combat mission” ended at the end of that year, U.S. troops will now remain in harm’s way into the next administration.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is working hard to remain joyful on the campaign trail in a race in which joy has yet to be rewarded. In an interview with TIME, Bush discusses how he tries to stay happy in the face of a grueling campaign, why being an introvert may be an advantage, and why he leans on his brother for advice. Later today, Bush will release his third quarter campaign finance numbers, in addition to his medical records, 2014 tax returns, and a list of campaign bundlers, as his campaign dials back its spending amid a hard-money crunch.

Rand Paul once set out to broaden the Republican electorate, but now his campaign looks a lot more like a retread of his father’s 2012 run, TIME’s Philip Elliott reports. Paul is hoping young libertarians will boost him to an unlikely victory in Iowa, where he wrapped up a three-day college swing. Bernie Sanders told donors at a Beverly Hills fundraiser Wednesday night that his campaign has raised $2.5 million since Tuesday’s Democratic debate.

The chaos in the House Republican Conference shows no signs of letting up, TIME’s Jay Newton-Small writes in her profile of the House Freedom Caucus, which has taken down two GOP leaders in a months time. How Donald Trump‘s campaign is like “The Apprentice.” And what Joe Biden thought of the Democratic debate.

Here are your must reads:

Must Reads

What’s Eating Jeb Bush?

Inside the campaign that can’t catch a break [TIME]

Rand Paul Goes Back To School Looking for Votes

Campaign eyes repeat, expansion of Ron Paul 2012 plan, TIME’s Philip Elliott reports

Obama to Announce Halt of U.S. Troop Withdrawal in Afghanistan

Thousands to remain after Obama leaves office in 2017 [New York Times]

How The Apprentice Explains Donald Trump’s Campaign

His Iowa coordinator is an Apprentice finalist who chooses delegates using Apprentice-style games [Bloomberg]

The ‘Reasonable Nut Job Caucus’

TIME’s Jay Newton-Small examines the House Freedom Caucus

How Clintonomics Created Carly Fiorina

And how they hamper Hillary Clinton, TIME’s Rana Foroohar explains

Sound Off

“I thought every one of those folks did well. Thanks.” — Vice President Joe Biden weighing in on the Democratic debate Wednesday in response to a shouted question from a reporter as he ponders his own political future

“People don’t put up a sign that says, I’m firing you because you’re gay. It’s something that’s very much disputed. So, I don’t know that we need to keep adding to different classifications and say, the government needs to be involved in hiring and firing. I think society is rapidly changing, and if you are gay, there are plenty of places that will probably hire you.” — Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul at an event in Iowa Wednesday

Bits and Bites

Here’s What Denmark Thought About the Democratic Debate [TIME]

Iowa Political Ad Onslaught Has Only Just Begun [Des Moines Register]

Shouting Match at Trump Speech in Virginia [Politico]

Jeb Cuts Back [Politico]

Ted Cruz to Report $13.5 Million Cash on Hand — at or Near the Top of the GOP Field [Washington Post]

At Trial of Former Aides, Ron Paul Says Investigators Have ‘Victimized’ his Family [Washington Post]

Trade Pact May Not Come Up in House Until After 2016 Election [Politico]

Scott Walker Says He Won’t Run for President Again as Governor [Wisconsin State Journal]