McCain: I 'Don't See How It Matters' That I Don't Know The Price Of Gas  —  In a telephone interview with the Orange County Register earlier this week, John McCain acknowledged he was unaware of the price of gas.  The OC Register's Martin Wicksol reports:

PREPARING THE BATTLEFIELD  —  The Bush Administration steps up its secret moves against Iran.  —  L ate last year, Congress agreed to a request from President Bush to fund a major escalation of covert operations against Iran, according to current and former military, intelligence, and congressional sources.

The baseless, and failed, “Move to the Center” cliche  —  Republican Nancy Johnson of Connecticut was first elected to Congress in 1982, and proceeded to win re-election 11 consecutive times, often quite easily.  In 2004, she defeated her Democratic challenger by 22 points.

The Chief Justice, Dylan and the Disappearing Double Negative  —  The last chief justice liked light opera.  The new one cites Bob Dylan.  —  Four pages into his dissent on Monday in an achingly boring dispute between pay phone companies and long distance carriers, John G. Roberts Jr. …

Election 2008: Arizona Presidential Election  —  Arizona: McCain Leads By Nine in Home State  —  Since Hillary Clinton dropped out of the race for the White House, Barack Obama has enjoyed a bounce in the national polls and in many state polls.  John McCain's home state of Arizona is no exception …

‘Obama’ Hate Messages, Graffiti Cover 60 Orlando City Vehicles  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — Vandals spray-painted “Obama Smokes Crack” and other hate messages on 60 city vehicles parked across the street from City Hall in downtown Orlando.  —  Investigators said the vandals painted the messages …

'It's Over, Lady!'  —  UNITY, N.H.  —  Unity was spared the banality of unanimity.  —  Carmella Lewis, with her Hillary T-shirt and Hillary placard, came all the way from Denver to make sure there would be plenty of ambiguity, duality and ferocity in Unity.

OBAMA THE CANDIDATE OF ‘CHANGE MY MIND’  —  It's back and forth for Barack Obama.  —  The candidate of change has changed some of his own positions in recent weeks, raising the risk he'll be labeled a flip-flopper on hot-button issues that look as if they will play a central role in the general election.

Gallup Daily: Obama 46%, McCain 42%  —  Race had been precisely tied in last three reports  —  PRINCETON, NJ — The latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking presidential trial heat, based on July 25-26 and 28 interviewing, finds Barack Obama moving slightly ahead of John McCain, 46% to 42%.

Why Not A Debate In Dubai?  —  Here's a crazy idea that's being discussed by the rulers of the Persian Gulf city-state of Dubai: What if they were to invite Barack Obama and John McCain to come to the desert oasis for a presidential debate?  —  Yes, I know: This is America's presidential campaign …

Robert Mugabe's thugs shout: 'Let's kill the baby'  —  A baby boy had both legs broken by supporters of President Robert Mugabe to punish his father for being an opposition councillor in Zimbabwe.  —  Blessing Mabhena, aged 11 months, was seized from a bed and flung down with force as his mother …