Election countdown: Politicians say the darndest things

Nine days before the election and both parties are in full stump mode, sending top figures to campaign in the closest races. Trouble is, sometimes politicians get in front of an open microphone and wander off script. Our highlights:

Did Hillary Clinton just say that?

We have noted previously that Democrat Martha Coakley is struggling in her race for Massachusetts governor. Late Friday, she brought in the big guns — former secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. But Clinton served up a moment that might end up haunting her own potential 2016 presidential campaign, saying, "Don't let anybody tell you that it's corporations and businesses that create jobs." The GOP attack ad writes itself from there.

Don Young apologizes

Sometimes Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, is his own worst enemy.

Last week, Young told students at Wasilla High School that people kill themselves when there is a lack of support from family and friends. A Wasilla student had committed suicide the previous week. The comments caused an uproar, and on Friday he apologized in a speech before the Alaska Federation of Natives. "I am profoundly and genuinely sorry for the pain it has caused the Alaskan people," he said.

Cruz: Ga. Democrats are 'That '70s Show'

Sen. Ted Cruz, the Republican flame-thrower from Texas, was in Georgia on Saturday campaigning with Republican Gov. Nathan Deal and GOP Senate candidate David Perdue, both of whom are locked in tight races. But Cruz mocked their opposition:

"Here in Georgia, we've got on the ballot Jimmy Carter and Sam Nunn," he said. "It's like That '70s Show."

That's a shot at the Democratic nominees for governor and senator, Jason Carter — grandson of former president Jimmy Carter — and Michelle Nunn, daughter of former senator Sam Nunn.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution has the full story.

Hanging chads

It's possible that as many as 40,000 people who have tried to register to vote in Georgia will not get the chance because of delays in processing their paperwork. WXIA has the story.

Even successful politicos have election nights they'd prefer to forget. Paste BN's Susan Page has a compilation of politicians, strategists and speechwriters describing their best and worst election nights.