CNN The Lead w/ Jake Tapper

Trump: Not looking to get into a new conflict, but sometimes you have to; Trump: Don't want war with Iran, but "more prepared" than ever; Trump: Secy. of State Pompeo to visit Saudi Arabia; Trump: U.S. "would certainly help" Saudis "under attack"; Sen. McConnell slams Dems call for Kavanaugh's impeachment as "laughable" & "self-serving"; Sen. Coons sent letter to FBI flagging alleged misconduct by Kavanaugh days before confirmation; Trump: Justice Department should "rescue" Kavanaugh from being "assaulted" by news media; NYT OP-ED: Biden problematic, antiquated on racial matters; CNN Poll: Biden leads Dems by 30+ points among black voters; Warren to deliver major anti-corruption speech in NYC tonight; Nearly 50,000 GM workers strike over pay and idle plants.

Castro, Booker retreat after questioning Biden's age, memory; Divisions on health care front and center at debate; Biden suggest playing "the record player" at home to help educate poor, minority families; TX lawmaker stands by his tweet to O'Rourke after debate; Trump rants about energy efficient light bulbs, says he looks too orange; Trump slams environmental agreements in rambling speech; Trump: we're working on "inspirational" tax cut; Seriously ill children fear deportation under Trump administration's new policy; Sick kids fighting for their lives now also fighting to stay in U.S.; Trump and GOP lawmakers consider opening Alaska forest to loggers, miners & drillers; Fears parts of the largest national forest could be torn down;

Next hour: Trump leaves for Baltimore after disparaging city; Former WH official to New Yorker: Pompeo "among the most sycophantic" people among around Trump; Democrats on Judiciary Cmte. approve impeachment inquiry rules in first vote on issue; Some freshmen democrats in swing districts push back on impeachment inquiry; Democrats split on calling impeachment proceedings an inquiry or investigation; Speaker Pelosi shuts down questions on impeachment vote; Democrats face off at third debate tonight; Biden & Warren on stage together for first time; Warren makes play for older voters, unveils plan to expand social security; Biden releases video praising Obama hours before debate; Warren makes play for older voters, unveils plan to expand social security; Politico: Israel used surveillance devices to spy on Trump in U.S.; Putin launches raids across more than 40 cities in Russia today; GOP's Graham signals support on background checks as Trump debates what he'd sign into law; Red Flag laws and expanded background checks on list of options represented to Trump today; Influential republicans split on pros & cons of red flag laws; China taking on Trump, undermining U.S. presence in Europe; Chinese police, surveillance cameras sent into U.S. ally.

Wash post: Trump ordered staff to deal with NOAA tweet that contracted him on Alabama & hurricane; Trump denies he told chief of staff to make NOAA disavow forecasters who contradicted him; Trump's long history with conspiracies and twisting facts; CNN poll: 71% don't trust most of what they hear from WH; Trump insists he fired Bolton as National security advisor; Trump brings up his cancelled Taliban talks in 9/11 memorial speech at Pentagon; Trump on possible mtg with Iran's Rouhani: "not looking at anything"; Trump denies plans to meet with Iran's leader at U.N., Pompeo yesterday said Trump is prepared to meet; New CNN poll: Joe Biden leads field with 24% support, Elizabeth Warren at 18%, Bernie Sanders at 17%; Poll: Biden lead rests on support among black voters; CNN poll: Biden's lead among those who prioritize a candidate who can beat Trump shrinks some since August; CNN poll: 45% are "very enthusiastic" about voting in 2020; Sources: NY prosecutors interview Michael Cohen about Trump org possibly falsifying business records; Patriots' Antonio Brown accused of rape by ex-trainer; Pro Publica: RNC analytics omitting how voters feel about Trump;

Trump says he fired Bolton, Bolton days he resigned; Source: Bolton's exit result of dysfunctional cutthroat, snake it atmosphere in Trump admin; Bolton's exit comes after repeated clashes with Trump, Pompeo, and others; Sen. Menendez reacts to John Bolton's exit; Sources: Bolton's exit comes after argument with Trump over Taliban meeting at camp David; CNN poll: white men only demographic where majority approves of Trump's handling of jobs; CNN poll: 60% say president Trump doesn't deserve re-election; CNN poll: approval of Trump on economy dips below 50%; New CNN poll: 43% say Trump doing a good job keeping campaign promises, down from 52% in October 2018; New CNN poll: 71% say they do not trust most of what they hear from the White House; CNN: CIA spy extracted from Russia had access to Putin, could photograph Russian government documents; Heated NC congressional race tests Trump's 2020 chances; New iPhone features multiple cameras for wider shots.