On this day in 1620 -- Nov. 11 in the Julian calendar in use at the time -- the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony signed the Mayflower Compact. Here are today's top election stories:

"Republican Faithful Await a Savior in Iowa" (Lois Romano, Washington Post) With the caucuses looming, Iowa Republicans talk of their frustrations with the current field.

"For Edwards, a Relationship That Never Quite Fit" (Kate Zernike, New York Times) Reporter Zernike takes a look inside the turmoil of the Kerry-Edwards ticket.

"Swift Boat Issue Becomes Crucial to Kerry Anew" (Sasha Issenberg, Boston Globe) And in other bitter-2004-flashback stories, reporter Issenberg looks at Kerry's acceptance of a challenge to prove that any of the Swift Vets' allegations about his military service were wrong.

"GOP Candidates Voice Wariness Over Annapolis" (Eli Lake, New York Sun) With the Arab-Israeli peace conference just a week away, the GOP candidates are distancing themselves from the president and his effort.

"Obama Unveils $18B Education Plan" (Martha Moore, USA Today) Funding early childhood education, dropout prevention and teacher incentives doesn't come cheap. Needless to say, the editorial board of the New Hampshire Union Leader were not impressed.

"Stem-Cell Findings May Affect '08 Vote" (Ralph Hallow, Washington Times) A reported breakthrough on the stem-cell development field could potentially change how the candidates will discuss the issue of embryonic stem-cell research next year.

"Giuliani's Business Ties Create Challenge" (Andrew Zajac and Evan Osnos, Chicago Tribune) Just after creating his presidential exploratory committee last year, Rudy Giuliani got himself involved with a Hong Kong billionaire who has ties to Kim Jong Il.

"Romney's Key Ingredient" (Jennifer Liberto, St. Petersburg Times) Reporter Liberto takes a look at what Ann Romney brings to her husband's campaign.

"Obama Tells N.H. Kids of His Alcohol, Drug Use During Teen Years" (Michael Saul, New York Daily News) Barack Obama told high schoolers yesterday that he did indeed inhale, and drink, and host of other bad things when he was their age.

Get these and today's other election stories at RCP's Politics and Election page.