The irony with Mourdock’s answer is that one of his earliest supporters

Mourdock restated the question: "Am I comfortable with the system when so much money comes in?" He then answered: "I wish we had a better system."

The irony with Mourdock's answer is that one of his earliest supporters and a critical fundraiser is Jim Bopp Jr., the Terre Haute attorney who helped engineer both the Citizens United and SpeechNow.org cases that prompted rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court that have completely changed how competitive congressional races are financed.

It was Bopp, more than any other American, who created the current system that has allowed Mourdock's outsourced campaign to not only knock off U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar, but has kept him in a dead heat race against Donnelly this fall. It was a legal response to the McCain-Feingold campaign finance laws that Bopp saw as an impediment to free speech.

At Brees' request, the NFL allowed head coach Sean Payton

In the second quarter, MarquesColston made his franchise-record-tying 50th touchdown catch as a Saints receiver on Brees' perfectly placed pass to the back of the end zone. The catch matched the mark Joe Horn set in 2006. The play also gave New Orleans a 14-10 lead that lasted until Meachem's 44-yard touchdown catch in the final minute of the half.

At Brees' request, the NFL allowed head coach Sean Payton, assistant head coach Joe Vitt and general manager Mickey Loomis — all serving various suspensions in connection with the NFL's bounty investigation — to attend the game, so long as they did not have contact with the team. It was the first time this season any of them were in attendance for a Saints game and they looked on from the suite level of the Superdome.

Unitas' son, Joe, was in attendance after sending a letter to Saints headquarters during the past week in which he wished Brees the best in the Saints quarterback's attempt to break his father's record.

Expectations are running high that Apple will sell tens of millions

Expectations are running high that Apple will sell tens of millions of the iPhone 5 within a few weeks, blowing past previous sales.

Marine Sgt. Iggy McDonaldhas been camped outside of an Apple Store in Arlington, Va., since Tuesday. "I've spent Tuesday night and last night here and I'm planning on spending tonight here as well. I've stood in line for all of the iPhones," he said.

People have been lining up all week outside Manhattan's Fifth Avenue Apple Store to buy an iPhone 5 when it goes on sale Friday.

By Thursday evening, the line outside the flagship Apple store in New York City had grown to more than 60 people. The eager iPhone customers -- as well as the Occupy Wall Street protestors who had infiltrated the line -- were penned up behind metal barriers in the plaza near the Apple store.

Clemens will be on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time in December

Clemens will be on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time in December. But he could reset the clock on that vote if he pitches in the major leagues. There is a five-year eligibility waiting period after a player retires.

Former Houston Astros general manager Tal Smith, a consultant for the Skeeters, said Clemens looked impressive in a Monday workout and still yearns to pitch. The Astrosalso attended the workout, but owner Jim Crane told the Houston Chronicle they had no current plans to sign him.

Clemens scored a major legal victory in June when he was acquitted of charges he had lied to Congress under oath when he denied using performance-enhancing drugs.

I salute Andy Murray, my new favorite tennis player

And Phelps didn't whine about second and fourth. He didn't complain. He did what champions do. He dug down and won two more individual golds. I hope to see him swim in Rio in 2016, regardless of what he says. But I won't mind if his mother stays home.

The two most inspiring stories of the Games are the gold medal in judo by the American Kayla Harrison, who was abused by her judo coach at age 13, and, of course, the remarkable showing of 400 runner Oscar Pistorius of South Africa. The photo of him in the starting blocks, pushing off on artificial legs, to me says so much. This man can run 400 meters in less than 46 seconds!

I salute Andy Murray, my new favorite tennis player. (Hasta la vista, Rafa!) I love his honesty, his humility, his resilience. He was so devastated at Wimbledon just a few weeks ago but came back to beat the same opponent, Roger Federer, on the same court. His coach, Ivan Lendl, had told Murray after the loss at Wimbledon that he'd never again be under as much pressure, and Murrayafter Sunday's gold medal said it was true. He said his one big goal remains to win the U.S. Open. Maybe in a few weeks!

Karen B. Peetz, a trustee for two years

At a news conference, Mr. Erickson did not answer directly when asked if there had been excessive reverence for the football program. "It's been an important part of student life; it's been an important part of alumni life," he said.

Karen B. Peetz, a trustee for two years and the chairwoman of the board since January, was asked if Mr. Paterno should still be venerated on campus.

"The whole topic of Joe Paterno being honored or not being honored is a very sensitive topic," she said. "This is something that will continue to be discussed with the entire university community." 

Woods was as happy about two pars

Mahan twice had to save par over the last five holes. He came up short on the 14th, but he had a couple of options. With the pin all the way to the back behind a ridge, he could run it up the slope to the hole, or even play long and have it roll back to the hole. He chose to lag it to the hole, hit it thin, and got away with the slight miss when it rolled back to 2 feet.

"I expected to hit it a little bit cleaner off the club face, but that how you shoot 65," he said. "Get good breaks like that." He was more pleased with the 17th, which he called the one loose swing of the day. Mahan missed the green to the right, but saved par. On the 18th, he ripped a tee shot and had sand wedge into the green to 12 feet for one last birdie.

Woods was as happy about two pars as he was with his 50-foot eagle putt on the 16th hole that put him under par for the first time all week.