BostonGlobe.com Political Headlines - September 28, 2012

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

• In swing state Virginia, both sides court military vote: President Obama and Mitt Romney appealed for support Thursday from a large voting bloc that could prove crucial: military members, veterans, and their families. Globe Washington bureau reporter Bryan Bender details.

• Iowa is 1st swing state to begin early voting: Analysts said the early voting could give an advantage to President Obama. Globe Washington bureau reporter Bryan Bender writes.

• A better way to elect a president: It's time to revisit an idea that could transform our swing-state-to-swing-state campaign into a real national election: The National Popular Vote plan. Globe columnist Scot Lehigh reports.

• Rove group begins robocall blast against Warren:

  Karl Rove's political group, Crossroads GPS, has begun blasting voters with "robocalls" targeting Elizabeth Warren. Globe politics reporter Noah Bierman details.

• Tierney, Tisei keep it civil in first debate: Richard R. Tisei never mentioned the illegal gambling ring run by US Representative John F. Tierney's brothers- in-lawas the two candidates debated. Globe reporters Michael Levenson and David Filipov cover. 

• Bielat, Kennedy tussle on policy, qualifications: In a television debate, Sean Bielat declared rival Joseph P. Kennedy III unfit to run, while Kennedy shrugged off the notion that he's taking advantage of his family name. Globe reporter Mark Arsenault recaps.

• Scott Brown hits Elizabeth Warren's Native American claim in new ad: Senator Brown uses controversy to question Warren's honesty. Globe politics editor Glen Johnson elaborates.