. >> woodruff:hat's all ahead on tonight's newshour. >> major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ moving our economy for 160 year bnsf, the engine that connects us. >> they can be enlightening or engaging. conversations help us learn and grow. at wells fargo, we believe you can never underestimate the power of a conversation. it's this exchange of ideas that helps you move ahead with confidence. because an open dialogue is what opens doors. wel far-- together, we'll go far. >> and by the alfred p. sloan foundation. supporting science, technology, and improved economic performance and financial literacy in the 21st century. >> and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... >> this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs statn fr viers like yo thank you. >> brown: the august employment report came in today, showing fewer than anticipated jobs created, and fewer americans still trying to find one. it was all fuel for the presidential campaign, with the conventions no

. >> woodruff: that's all ahead on tonight's newshour. >> major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ moving our economy for 160 years. bnsf, the engine that connects us. >> they can be enlightening or engaging. conversations help us learn and grow. at wells fargo, we believe you can never underestimate the power of a conversation. it's this exchange of ideas that helps you move ahead with confidence. because an open dialogue is what opens doors. wells fargo-- together, we'll go far. >> and by the alfred p. sloan foundation. supporting science, technology, and improved economic performance and financial literacy in the 21st century. >> and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... >> this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. >> brown: the august employment report came in today, showing fewer than anticipated jobs created, and fewer americans still trying to find one. it was all fuel for the presidential campaign,

. >> woodruff: that's all ahead on tonight's newshour. >> major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ moving our economy for 160 years. bnsf, the engine that concts us. >> they can be enlightening or engaging. conversations help us learn and grow. at wells fargo, we believe you can never underestimate the power of a conversation. it's this exchange of ideas that helps you move ahead with confidence. because an open dialogue is what opens doors. wells fargo-- together, we'll go far. >> and by the alfred p. sloan foundation. supporting science, technology, and improved economic performance and financial literacy in the 21st century. >> and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... >> this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. >> brown: the august employment report came in today, showing fewer than anticipated jobs created, and fewer americans still trying to find one. it was all fuel for the presidential campaign, wi

. >> woodruff: that's all ahead on tonight's newshour. >> major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: >> bnsf and carnegie corporation. >> and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... >> this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. >> woodruff: with less than a week left before the first presidential debate, both candidates remained focused day on persuading voters they can boost the economy. but a key question at the heart of it all-- is the economy slowing, stalling, or perhaps even gaining strength in some ways? new data are sending conflicting signs. republican presidential nominee mitt romney campaigned today at a military academy in pennsylvania. romney promised better jobs for young people like the cadets sitting behind him and a better future for the entire country. >> we're in a very different road than what i think the people of the world expected from the united states of america. and if i'm elected president of this country, i

. >> woodruff: that's all ahead on tonight's newshour. >> major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: >> bnsf and carnegie corporation. >> and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... >> this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. >> woodruff: with less than a week left before the first presidential debate, both candidates remained focused today on persuading voters they can boost the economy. but a key question at the heart of it all-- is the economy slowing, stalling, or perhaps even gaining strength in some ways? new data are sending conflicting signs. republican presidential nominee mitt romney campaigned today at a military academy in pennsylvania. romney promised better jobs for young people like the cadets sitting behind him and a better future for the entire country. >> we're in a very different road than what i think the people of the world expected from the united states of america. and if i'm elected president of this country,

major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: moving our economy for 160 years. bnsf, the engine that connects us. >> they can be enlightening or engaging. conversations help us learn and grow. at wells fargo, we believe you can never underestimate the power of a conversation. it's this exchange of ideas that helps you move ahead with confidence. because an open dialogue is what open doors. wells fargo. together we'll go far. and by the alfred p. sloan foundation. supporting science, technology, and iroved economic performan andinanal literacy in the 21st century. and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. >> woodruff: the democrats are already under way here in charlotte this evening, beginning their quadrennial national gathering. their goal: to reelect the president, who snt this day campaigning not so far away. hari sreenivasan begins our coverage of the day's events. >> with the

. >> woodruff: that's all ahead on tonight's newshour. >> major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ moving our economy for 160 years. bnsf, the engine that connects us. >> and by the bill and melinda gates foundation. dedicated to the idea that all people deserve the chance to live a healthy productive life. >> and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... >> this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. >> brown: violent protests erupted across pakistan today. 19 people died and scores were wounded. the pakistani government had declared this a national holiday-- "love for the prophet day"-- and encouraged peaceful protest. some 15,000 people filled the streets in the southwest city of karachi. >> ( translated ): we want to show the world that muslims are one and united on this issue. we all are ready to die for prophet muhammad. we have left our family to join the protest and will remain here till the protest is over.

. >> woodruff: that's all ahead on tonight's newshour. >> major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ moving our economy for 160 years. bnsf, the engine that connects us. >> and by the bill and melinda gates foundation. dedicated to the idea that all people deserve the chance to live a healthy productive life. >> and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... >>his program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. >> brown: violent protests erupted across pakistan today. 19 people died and scores were wounded. the pakistani government had declared this a national holiday-- "love for the prophet day"-- and encouraged peaceful protest. some 15,000 people filled the streets in the southwest city of karachi. >> ( translated ): we want to show the world that muslims are one and united on this issue. we all are ready to die for prophet muhammad. we have left our family to join the protest and will remain here till the protest is over. >>

major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: moving our economy for 160 years. bnsf, the engine that connects us. >> they can be enlightening or engaging. conversations help us learn and grow. at wells fargo, we believe you can never underestimate the power of a conversation. it's this exchange of ideas that helps you move ahead with confidence. because an open dialogue is what open doors. wells fargo. together we'll go far. and by the alfred p. sloan foundation. supporting science, technology, and improved economic performance and financial literacy in the 21st century. and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. >> woodruff: the democrats are already under way here in charlotte this evening, beginning their quadrennial national gathering. their goal: to reelect the president, who spent this day campaigning not so far away. hari sreenivasan begins our coverage of the day's events. >>

major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: moving our economy for 160 years. bnsf, the engine that connects us. >> and by the bill and melinda gates foundation. dedicated to the idea that all people deserve the chance to live a healthy, productive life. and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. >> ifill: the annual remembrance of 9/11 brought somber ceremony and muted politics today. americans looked back on a day that shook the world and led to a decade of war. >> keith george... ifill: a day of remembrance began at ground zero, where new yorkers gathered under a crisp blue sky, reminiscent of the day of the attack eleven years ago. friends and relatives of the victims listened to what has become an annual, solemn ritual. the names, read allowed, of the nearly 3,000 who died on that day in new york, washington and pennsylvania. >> john edward bulaga,, jr. steven bruce bunan. and

. >> woodruff: that's all ahead on tonight's newshour. >> major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ moving our economy for 160 years. bnsf, the engine that connects us. >> and by the bill and melinda gates foundation. dedicated to the idea that all people deserve the chance to live a healthy productive life. >> and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... >> this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. >> brown: violent protests erupted across pakistan today. 19 people died and scores were wounded. the pakistani government had declared this a national hoday-- "love for the prophet day"-- and encouraged peaceful protest. some 15,000 people filled the streets in the southwest city of karachi. >> ( translated ): we want to show the world that muslims are one and united on this issue. we all are ready to die for prophet muhammad. we have left our family to join the protest and will remain here till the protest is over. >>

major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: minour economy for 160 years. bnsf, the engine that connects us. >> and by the bill and melinda gates foundation. dedicated to the idea that all people deserve the chance to live a healthy, productive life. and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... this ogram was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. >> ifill: the annual remembrance of 9/11 brought somber ceremony and muted politics today. americans looked back on a day that shook the world and led to a decade of war. >> keith george... ifill: a day of remembrance began at ground zero, where new yorkers gathered under a crisp blue sky, reminiscent of the day of the attack eleven years ago. friends and relatives of the victims listened to what has become an annual, solemn ritual. the names, read allowed, of the nearly 3,000 who died on that day in new york, washington and pennsylvania. >> john edward bulaga,, jr. steven bruce bunan. and my

major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: ♪ ♪ moving our economy for60 years. bnsf, the engine that connects us. >> they can be enlightening or engaging. conversations help us learn and grow. at wells fargo, we believe you can never underestimate the power of a conversation. it's this exchange of ideas that helps you move ahead with confidence. because an open dialogue is what open doors. wells fargo. together we'll go far. and by the alfred p. sloan foundation. supporting science, technology, and improved economic performance and financial literacy in the 21st century. and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... this program was made possible by e corporation for publibroaasti. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. >> woodruff: as the democratic >> woodruff: let's go right to the floor where john lewis is speaking. >> do you want to go back or do you want to keep america moving forward? my dear friends, your vote is precious, almost sacred. it is the most power it feel non-violent tool we have

major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: ♪ ♪ moving our economy for 160 years. bnsf, the engine that connects us. >> they can be enlightening or engaging. conversations help us learn and grow. at wells fargo, we believe you can never underestimate the power of a conversation. it's this exchange of ideas that helps you move ahead with confidence. because an open dialogue is what open doors. wells fargo. together we'll go far. and by the alfred p. sloan foundation. supporting science, technology, and improved economic performance and financial literacy in the 21st century. and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. >> woodruff: as the democratic >> woodruff: let's go right to the floor where john lewis is speaking. >> do you want to go back or do you want to keep america moving forward? my dear friends, your vote is precious, almost sacred. it is the most power it feel non-violent tool

major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: ♪ ♪ moving our economy for 160 years. bnsf, the engine that connects us. >> they can be enlightening or engaging. conversations help us learn and grow. at wells fargo, we believe you can never underestimate the power of a conversation. it's this exchange of ideas that helps you move ahead with confidence. because an open dialogue is what open doors. wells fargo. together we'll go far. and by the alfred p. sloan foundation. supporting science, technology, and improved economic performance and financial literacy in the 21st century. and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. >> woodruff: tonight's session started about an hour ago and the lineup ahead zeroes in on the president's economic record. two-time olympic gold medalist gabby douglas-- the 16-year old gymnast led the pledge of allegiance. >> i pledge allegiance, to the flag of the united

major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: >> they can be enlightening or engaging. conversations help us learn and grow. at wells fargo, we believe you can never underestimate the power of a conversation. it's this exchange of ideas that helps you move ahead with confidence. because an open dialogue is what opens doors. wells fargo. together we'll go far. >> bnsf railway. >> the william and flora hewlett foundation, working to solve social and environmental problems at home and around the world. and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. captioning sponsored by macneil/lehrer productions captioned by media access group at wgbh access.wgbh.org vo:geico, committed to providing service to its auto insurance customers for over 70 years. more information on auto insurance at geico.com or 1-800-947-auto any time of the day or night.

major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: ♪ ♪ moving our economy for 160 years. bnsf, the engine that connects us. >> they can be enlightening or engaging. conversations help us learn and grow. at wells fargo, we believe you can never underestimate the power of a conversation. it's this exchange of ideas that helps you move ahead with confidence. because an open dialogue is what open doors. wells fargo. together we'll go far. and by the alfred p. sloan foundation. supporting science, technology, and improved economic performance and financial literacy in the 21st century. and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... s prram was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. >> woodruff: as the democratic >> woodruff: let's go right to the floor where john lewis is speaking. >> do you want to go back or do you want to keep america moving forward? my dear friends, your vote is precious, almost sacred. it is the most power it feel non-violent tool we h

major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: and the william and flora hewlett foundation, working to solve social and environmental problems at home and around the world. and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. >> warner: the fighting in syria flared back into the headlines today. air strikes in the north touched off a fiery blast that killed dozens of people. reports by syrian human rights and opposition groups ranged from at least 30 dead to more than 50. dark plumes of smoke filled the air from a massive explosion in ain issa-- 25 miles from the turkish border. opposition activists said a syrian fighter jet had attacked a gas station, triggering the blast. and turkey beefed up its forces on its side near a key syrian border outpost that rebels seized yesterday. on the diplomatic front, the u.s. and other members of the group friends of the syrian people met in the netherlands to discuss

major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: soon computing intelligence in unexpected places will change our lives in truly profound ways. technology can provide customized experiences tailored to individual consumer preferences. igniting a world of possibilities from the inside out, sponsoring tomorrow starts today. >> bnsf railway. and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. >> ifill: the presidential candidates looked to score points today on jobs, taxes, and foreign policy issues with their first of three debates looming next week. president obama was off the campaign trail today, traveling to new york for the united nations general assembly. while mitt romney was on the stump for a second day in colorado. >> what a pueblo, colorado, welcome. thank you so much. >> ifill: romney kicks off a bus tour in ohio tomorrow where he'll be greeted by a new obama television ad. >> mitt romney attacked 47%

major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: and by the alfred p. sloan foundation. supporting science, technology, and improved economic performance and financial literacy in the 21st century. and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. >> woodruff: new anti-american protests erupted in the middle east and elsewhere today over a video that mocks islam, while in libya, officials reported arrests in the killing of the u.s. ambassador. security in benghazi, libya, was noticeably tighter today, and interior ministry officials said four people were arrested in tuesday's attack that left four americans dead. ambassador chris stevens, state department officer sean smith, and two colleagues died when gunmen stormed the u.s. consulate. whether stevens was deliberately targeted remained an open question, but the doctor who sought to revive stevens' lifeless body on tuesday night d

major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: ♪ ♪ moving our economy for 160 years. bnsf, the engine that connects us. and by the alfred p. sloan foundation. supporting science, technology, and improved economic performance and financial literacyn the 21st century. and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. >> woodruff: israel's prime minter warned again today that iran iwelln its way to creating a nuclear weapon and said the world needs to act. benjamin netanyahu spoke at the united nations. as he has often before, netanyahu condemned iran and its nuclear program, and called on other leaders to do the same. >> at stake is not merely the future of my country. at stake is the future of the world. and nothing could imperil our common future more than the arming of iran with nuclear weapons. >> woodruff: the israeli prime minister said the hour is, quote, "getting late" to stop iran as it co

major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: >> bnsf railway. >> intel. sponsors of tomorrow. >> and by the bill and melinda gates foundation. dedicated to the idea that all people deserve the chance to live a healthy, productive life. and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. captioning sponsored by macneil/lehrer productions captioned by media access group at wgbh access.wgbh.org

major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: soon computing intelligence in unexpected places will change our lives in truly profound ways. technology can provide customized experiences, tailored to individual consumer preferences. igniting a world of possibilities from the inside out, sponsoring tomorrow starts today. >> bnsf railway. and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and. this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. >> woodruff: 56 days and counting: that's how the political calendar looked today for president obama and republican mitt romney. with the conventions behind them, the candidates jockeyed for any advantage in a close race. the president entered the final stretch of the campaign with a slight lead in the polls after the two-party convention. but at the white house today, press secretary jay carney took the cautious view. >> this is going to be a close race. it has been and will be. the president is very focusedded on traveling

major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributionto your pbs stion from viewers like you. thank you. >> woodruff: the trouble in greece today and in spain overnight brought the plight of europe's debt-ridden countries squarely back into the spotlight. street battles erupted in athens as nearly 70,000 people staged the largest demonstration since may of last year. we have a report from james mates of "independent television news." >> reporter: it's a sight that has become all too familiar in central at thens. a day supposed to have been about a general strike and peaceful protest turned quickly into ugly violence. the police were prepared, but against volleys of pet troll bombs they could do little more than stand their ground and wait with tear gas and stun grenades to turn them back. this is the first protest since a new government was elected three months ago, a government forcing through yet another round of punis