VP Alert  —  NR has learned that the McCain campaign has been calling key state GOP officials around the country the last couple of days and sounding them out about the consequences of a pro-choice VP pick.  The campaign is asking about the reaction of conservative grass-roots activists …

Bob Woodward to reveal ‘The War Within’  —  Bob Woodward's new book is shrouded in such mystery that even the title was a secret until now.  —  Publishing sources say the book, completed just three weeks ago and out Sept. 8, is titled “The War Within: A Secret White House History 2006-2008.”

In V.F.W. Speech, McCain Attacks Obama on War  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — Senator John McCain began a hard-hitting political attack on Senator Barack Obama's national security credentials on Monday and stepped up his rhetoric against the Russian presence in Georgia in remarks intended to showcase his ability to be commander in chief.

Invesco's top seats go to big donors  —  SUITES, CLUB LEVEL SAVED FOR FUNDRAISERS, VIPs  —  Barack Obama's big-money donors are being offered premier seats to his acceptance speech at Invesco Field at Mile High, according to information obtained by The Denver Post.

McCain, Seen 2-1 As Better Against Russia, Gains On Obama, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Men And White Voters Go Republican  —  American likely voters say 55 - 27 percent that Arizona Sen. John McCain is better qualified than Illinois Sen. Barack Obama to deal with Russia …

The Education of McCain  —  On Tuesdays, Senate Republicans hold a weekly policy lunch.  The party leaders often hand out a Message of the Week that the senators are supposed to repeat at every opportunity.  Sometimes there will be a pollster offering data that supposedly demonstrates …

Inverted optics: DNCC wraps Obama in upside-down flag; A familiar look?  —  Maybe the DNCC has kept track of the polling this summer and figures the Democratic nominee is officially in distress.  That's the only explanation for a silly gaffe by the convention committee for the graphics …

I Honestly Can't Believe I'm Reading This  —  Regardless of what any one American's politics or personal election preference might be, is it lost on people what they are reading if they click into Andrew Sullivan's blog from Memeorandum? … What is quite well known beyond ANY shadow …

Hillary Clinton gives ‘Judas’ Richardson a hug or a shrug  —  It was, if memory and The Ticket's search function serves, back in March that big Bill Richardson, the goateed governor of New Mexico who'd built his impressive resume largely on important assignments for the Clintons …

College Presidents Want Lower Drinking Age  —  College presidents from about 100 of the nation's best-known universities, including Duke, Dartmouth, and Ohio State, are calling on lawmakers to consider lowering the drinking age to 18 from 21, saying current laws actually encourage dangerous binge drinking on campus.

The Ruling  —  This past Friday, I wrote to you regarding our attempt to be included in the Saturday event held at Saddleback Church featuring both Senators John McCain and Barack Obama.  —  Barack Obama received one full hour during his interview.  —  The same for John McCain.

Reed Doesn't Show at McCain Benefit He'd Help Publicize  —  ATLANTA — Ralph Reed, once one of the leading strategists in the Republican Party, found himself Monday night persona non grata at a fundraiser hosted by his party's presumptive presidential nominee.

The Lingering What-If Question: Clinton?  —  No power brokers in the Democratic Party are openly campaigning for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as their vice-presidential nominee this year, and even Mrs. Clinton's closest aides have stopped talking her up.  Yet privately, some Democrats continue …

Roseanne rips Jolie, Pitt, Voight over politics  —  Comedienne blasts actors for failure to get behind Obama for president  —  LOS ANGELES - Roseanne Barr is using her personal Web site to slam Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Jolie's father, Jon Voight.  —  Calling Jolie Voight's “evil spawn” …