Barack Obama's $52 million June  —  Sen. Barack Obama's campaign raised $52 million in June, his campaign manager said Thursday morning - not quite a record for the high-flying campaign, but close to it.  The campaign had raised $55 million in February, during the Democratic primaries.

3 Anchors to Follow Obama's Trek Abroad  —  The three network anchors will travel to Europe and the Middle East next week for Barack Obama's trip, adding their high-wattage spotlight to what is already shaping up as a major media extravaganza.  —  Lured by an offer of interviews …

Hunter: This conservative activist is backing Obama  —  I'm a lifelong Republican - a supply-side conservative.  I worked in the Reagan White House.  I was the chief economist at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for five years.  In 1994, I helped write the Republican Contract with America.

Barack Obama tells Glamour: “Debate me, not Michelle”  —  On Wednesday Senator Barack Obama talked to Glamour's editor-in-chief Cindi Leive and answered questions from our readers about his policies and about women's issues.  (Thanks to the many of you who submitted those queries!)

US plans to station first diplomats in Iran since 1979  —  Washington move signals thaw in relations  —  The US plans to establish a diplomatic presence in Tehran for the first time in 30 years as part of a remarkable turnaround in policy by President George Bush.

McCain's humor often backfires  —  Ever hear that joke about waterboarding?  How about the one about killing Iranians?  And why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly?  —  If you aren't familiar with those witty japes, then you've missed out on John McCain's lighter side.

In Iraq, Mixed Feelings About Obama and His Troop Proposal  —  BAGHDAD — A tough Iraqi general, a former special operations officer with a baritone voice and a barrel chest, melted into smiles when asked about Senator Barack Obama.  —  “Everyone in Iraq likes him,” said the general, Nassir al-Hiti.

Take Your Paws off the Presidency!  —  DOES THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION HAVE A SECRET SUCCESSION ORDER THAT BYPASSES CONGRESS?  —  Suppose the worst happens, and the next terrorist attack hits Washington hard, taking out the president and the vice president.  What happens next?

Obama's ‘Big Brother’ vanishes from speech  —  ‘Civilian security force’ missing from ‘call to service’ transcript  —  Democrat Sen. Barack Obama's stunning assertion in a recent speech that the U.S. needs a “civilian national security force” that would be as powerful …

Taxpayers and Private Groups Pay for Congress's Globe-trotting Over Memorial Day  —  One of the benefits of being a member of Congress is lavish trips, sometimes on the taxpayers' dime  —  While many Americans watched their wallets, several dozen members of Congress used the Memorial …

America fails on ‘human index’  —  Despite spending $230m (£115m) an hour on healthcare, Americans live shorter lives than citizens of almost every other developed country.  And while it has the second-highest income per head in the world, the United States ranks 42nd in terms of life expectancy.

Insurance industry forming activist army  —  Ahead of the approaching health care reform storm, the insurance industry is building an ark: a nationwide education campaign aimed at raising an activist army at least 100,000 strong.  —  The unprecedented effort by America's Health Insurance Plans …

Mayer On Seligman  —  Psychologist Marty Seligman has objected to the notion that he “assisted” the torture program of the president in Gitmo and throughout the war on terror.  Jane Mayer never actually used that word, others have in describing Mayer's book.  No facts in Mayer's book have been disputed by Seligman.