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  —  (updated below)  —  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.

Clark hits McCain's military credentials  —  Gen. Wesley Clark, acting as a surrogate for Barack Obama's campaign, invoked John McCain's military service against him in one of the more personal attacks on the Republican presidential nominee this election cycle.

McCain Holds Up New Orleans As An Educational Success Story  —  Download |  Play Download |  Play (h/t Heather)  —  During a speech to the National Association of Latino Elected & Appointed Officials John McCain is asked what he would do to insure that all working and middle class Americans …

‘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 …

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. …

Back to the Center  —  One of the Republican Party's most astute pols, Representative Tom Davis of Virginia, recently reflected on his party's status among voters.  In a 20-page memo for his colleagues, Davis wrote, “If we were a dog food, they would take us off the shelf.”  Bad as things are, they may get worse.

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 …

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%.

Dumbing Down the Presidency  —  People campaign for the presidency by talking their heads off.  By the time the winner reaches the White House, the habit is so ingrained that it is impossible to shake.  —  The result has been what professor Jeffrey Tulis of the University of Texas 21 years ago labeled …

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.

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 …

Bush the Pot calls Mugabe the Kettle, “Undemocratic”  —  As a former advisor to Morgan Tsvangirai, I am compelled to offer the following observations on the recent attempt by President George W. Bush to appear less despotic than the reviled president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe.