BostonGlobe.com Political Headlines - October 11, 2012

Here are the top political headlines from BostonGlobe.com today:

• Brown, Warren hit hard on policy in third Senate debate: Senator Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren sparred Wednesday over health care, taxes, and women's rights. Globe politics reporter Michael Levenson covers.

• Biden, Ryan face high stakes in vice presidential debate:  Democrats are nervous, Republicans sense a surge, and Vice President Joe Biden and Paul Ryan suddenly have a chance to influence the campaign Thursday. Globe Metro reporter Brian MacQuarrie explains.     

• Debate clarifies core arguments of Brown and Warren: The incumbent highlighted his qualifications as a middle class guardian, while Warren pointed to his votes in Washington that contradicted this point. Boston.com politics editor Glen Johnson outlines.   

• Kennedy and Bielat clash on jobs, campaign laws in debate: Sean Bielat and Joseph P. Kennedy III faced off in their second debate in the race for the congressional seat being vacated by US Representative Barney Frank. Globe Metro reporter Travis Andersen covers. 

• For AFL-CIO, a makeup test: This US Senate election will show if the AFL-CIO has its electoral oomph back. The union is making a mammoth effort on behalf of Elizabeth Warren. Globe columnist Yvonne Abraham reports.    

• A national race writ small: Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren had opportunities to talk about local issues, but for the most part their debate featured a heavy emphasis on national themes. Globe columnist Dante Ramos writes. 

• Warren tries to have it both ways: Elizabeth Warren said she supports defense cuts but also said she would protect Massachusetts bases from closure or budget reductions. Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby elaborates. 

•  Is he pro-life, pro-choice, or just pro-Mitt?: When it comes to abortion, Mitt Romney has been walking around in circles since he first ran for office in Massachusetts against Ted Kennedy. Globe columnist Joan Vennochi outlines.