Pentagon Confirms That It Told Obama He Couldn't Visit Army Base With Campaign Staff  —  I've just gotten clarification from the Pentagon on what really happened with regard to Barack Obama's canceled visit to an Army base in Germany, something the McCain campaign has been using to hit Obama since yesterday.

Security Guard Confirms Late-Night Encounter Between Former Sen. John Edwards, Tabloid Reporters In Beverly Hills Hotel  —  A hotel security guard told FOXNews.com he intervened this week between a man he identified as former Sen. John Edwards and tabloid reporters who chased …

McCain May Act Soon on VP Pick  —  Aides Predict Announcement Before Olympics  —  Anxious to counter the blanket media coverage that has followed Sen. Barack Obama on his overseas journey, Sen. John McCain is weighing whether to announce his running mate in the coming weeks before the spotlight shifts …

He ventured forth to bring light to the world  —  The anointed one's pilgrimage to the Holy Land is a miracle in action - and a blessing to all his faithful followers  —  And it came to pass, in the eighth year of the reign of the evil Bush the Younger (The Ignorant), when the whole land …

What Bush and Batman Have in Common  —  A cry for help goes out from a city beleaguered by violence and fear: A beam of light flashed into the night sky, the dark symbol of a bat projected onto the surface of the racing clouds . . .  Oh, wait a minute.  That's not a bat, actually.

Israeli paper publishes Obama Western Wall prayer … JERUSALEM (AP) - A written prayer that Barack Obama left this week in the cracks of the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site, asks God to guide him and guard his family, an Israeli newspaper reported Friday.

Sarkozy: Obama's my ‘pal’  —  French President Nicolas Sarkozy is offering Obama a warm welcome on the day of their meeting, in an interview with the conservative daily Le Figaro.  —  “Obama?  He's my pal,” the president told Le Figaro.  “Unlike my diplomatic advisors, I never believed in Hillary Clinton's chances.

For Targeted GOP Senate Candidates, St. Paul Is Not A Choice Destination  —  Nine of 12 targeted Republicans running in the most competitive Senate races this fall are either skipping the Republican convention in St. Paul, Minn., or have not decided whether to attend.

Thesis Follies  —  Steve Sailer darkly hints: … Meanwhile, Noam Scheiber writes about reporters' efforts to get their hands on a copy of Barack Obama's senior thesis, all copies of which have apparently gone missing from Columbia.  The thesis was about nuclear negotiating strategies …

Obama's path to presidency is far from clear  —  The Democrat is winning fans on his trip abroad, but is struggling to gain real ground against McCain at home.  Some key Clinton backers remain alienated.  —  WASHINGTON — Even as his turn on the global stage hit an emotional peak Thursday …

McCain Blows Off WSJ Reporter (VIDEO)  —  John McCain's famously cozy relationship with the press is getting a bit testy.  Taking questions in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday the Arizona Republican blew off Wall Street Journal reporter Elizabeth Holmes, right after she stated her name and affiliation.

Playing Innocent Abroad  —  Radical optimism is America's contribution to the world.  The early settlers thought America's founding would bring God's kingdom to earth.  John Adams thought America would emancipate “the slavish part of mankind all over the earth.”

Gallup Daily: Obama by 6, Is There a Europe Effect?  —  Obama moves back to significant lead over McCain  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Barack Obama has expanded his lead over John McCain in the Tuesday through Thursday Gallup Poll Daily tracking rolling average, and now has a 47% to 41% advantage over his Republican challenger.

Obama Abroad: We Get the Picture  —  The Candidate Looked Good This Week.  Did the Press?  —  After saying little in public during a weekend in Iraq and Afghanistan, Barack Obama met with traveling reporters near Jordan's Temple of Hercules, a gladiator standing his ground against the media hordes.

Rove Threatened GOP IT Guru If He Does Not ‘Take the Fall’ for Election Fraud in Ohio, Says Attorney  —  [NOTE: Arnebeck will join Peter B. Collins and me, on-air, live tonight at 5pm PT (8pm ET) to discuss this story and the related matters.  Details and listening link here...]

Beat the Press: Is FOX trying to make McCain look younger?  —  How else to explain the Campaign 2000 footage?  And Cindy's hair.  —  Download |  Play Download |  Play  —  Also in this clip:  —  Political hacks Glenn Beck and Ben Stein are frightened that Obama draws large crowds …

Senate Republicans hold the line on energy; Update: Reid falls apart  —  Senate Republicans kept their word today to defeat any energy bill that did not include an end to the Congressional moratorium on off-shore drilling.  By a 50-43 party-line vote, the bill that supposedly would curb …

Maliki Votes for Obama  —  In a stunning upset, Barack Obama this week won the Iraq primary.  When Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki not once but several times expressed support for a U.S. troop withdrawal on a timetable that accorded roughly with Obama's 16-month proposal, he did more than legitimize the plan.