Paris Hilton's family fuming at McCain campaign  —  I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it seems that the new McCain ad criticizing Obama for being a celebrity has ruffled some unintended feathers.  I, for one, quite liked the ad, but I hear whispers from the inner campaign staff …

Say What?  John McCain, Barack Obama, and the “Race Card”  —  We know that operatives in modern-day presidential campaigns are supposed to say things that everyone knows are ridiculous — and to do it with a straight face.  —  Still, there was something surreal, and offensive …

McCain says ‘race card’ charges are fair  —  (CNN) — John McCain told CNN Thursday it is fair for his campaign manager to claim Barack Obama is playing ‘the race card.’  —  “I'm sorry to say that it is.  It's legitimate,” McCain told CNN's John King.  “And there's no place in this campaign for that.

Unbelievable: NYT recycles nutroots charge that McCain's Britney ad is racist  —  From Josh Marshall's lips to the editorial board's ear.  New rule: If you're conservative, juxtaposing images of Barack Obama and white women regardless of context is racist per se.

GRAHAM AND LIEBERMAN DEFEND AD  —  From NBC's Ken Strickland and Andrea Mitchell  —  Responding to criticism of McCain's recent TV ad depicting Obama as celebrity without substance, two of McCain's key Senate allies fired back in an unrelated news conference.

OBAMA REMOVES HIS MASK  —  It's not even quite August yet and he's still ahead in the polls, but Barack Obama has played the race card, claiming that he expects Republicans to inject race into the campaign.  In Missouri, he told a crowd: … The Obama campaign denied that the comment about …

Bluffing 'Bout Bias?  —  CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA — Really, the press corps should pay attention to Barack Obama's sustained defense of his energy policies, which includes new language on John McCain's ties to the oil industry.  But we're not: we're writing about the flashpoint of the day …

White House Aides Can Be Subpoenaed  —  WASHINGTON — President Bush's top advisers cannot ignore subpoenas issued by Congress, a federal judge ruled on Thursday in a case that involves the firings of several United States attorneys but has much wider constitutional implications for all three branches of government.

Hope and change: Obama loses eight points in four days  —  One thin percent is all that's left of the lead, putting him back where he was on July 17 before Peace Tour '08 kicked off.  Remember, Gallup put out conflicting polls a few days ago, one showing Barry O ahead comfortably among …