Top Items:
Rich Lowry / The Corner:
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 …
Discussion:
michellemalkin.com, Commentary, The Other McCain, Roger Ailes, Macsmind, National Review and Newsweek Blogs
RELATED:
Mike Allen / The Politico:
Exclusive: McCain to name VP on Aug. 29 — Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) plans to celebrate his 72nd birthday on Aug. 29 by naming his running mate at a huge rally in the battleground state of Ohio, Republican sources said. — That's a week from this Friday, and the day after Sen. Barack Obama …
Discussion:
MSNBC, Washington Wire, The Washington Independent, www.redstate.com, Political Perceptions, The Next Right, Shakesville, Real Clear Politics, TownHall Blog, Tales from the Trail, Philly.com, Hot Air, Wake up America, TRAIL BLAZERS, TIME.com, TPM Election Central, DemConWatch, MyDD and PolitickerOH
New York Times:
Obama Appears Ready to Announce His Running Mate — WASHINGTON — Senator Barack Obama has all but finalized his choice for a running mate and set an elaborate roll-out plan for his decision, beginning with an early morning alert to supporters, perhaps as soon as Wednesday …
Discussion:
The Swamp, FiveThirtyEight.com, The Carpetbagger Report, MSNBC, The Strata-Sphere, The Anonymous Liberal, Electoral-vote.com, Hot Air, Greatscat!, marbury, Associated Press, Buck Naked Politics, FP Passport, TownHall Blog, Taylor Marsh, Ace of Spades HQ, Gothamist, Washington Post, Viking Pundit, TIME.com, Cogitamus, The Other McCain, Sister Toldjah and New York Times
Nedra Pickler / Associated Press:
Obama veep announcement expected in coming days — CHICAGO (AP) — Barack Obama will publicly disclose his vice presidential choice in the coming days, though the Democrat is keeping most aides who are preparing for the announcement in the dark and is giving away nothing to voters as he campaigns.
Mike Allen / The Politico:
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.”
RELATED:
Hillel Italie / Associated Press:
AP: Title, print run on Woodward book announced — NEW YORK (AP) — The suspense didn't quite compare to the identity of “Deep Throat,” but we now know the name of Bob Woodward's fourth investigative work on the Bush administration, just three weeks before the book's release.
Discussion:
TIME.com
New York Times:
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.
Discussion:
The New Republic
RELATED:
Denver Post:
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.
David Brooks / New York Times:
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 …
Dan / Riehl World View:
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 …
RELATED:
Patrick Healy / New York Times:
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 …
Perry Bacon Jr / Washington Post:
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.
RELATED:
Aaron Gould Sheinen / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Protesters mark McCain's visit to Atlanta for fund-raiser
Protesters mark McCain's visit to Atlanta for fund-raiser
Discussion:
Associated Press, Washington Wire, Political Radar, Think Progress, Political Machine and NY Daily News Blogs
Ed Morrissey / Hot Air:
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 …
Quinnipiac University:
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 …
Discussion:
Taegan Goddard's …
Russ Verney / Campaign Updates:
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.
MSNBC:
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” …
John Cole / Balloon Juice:
Increasingly Bizarre- Michael Goldfarb's +7 Rapier of Jackassery — I really don't care to spend the next few weeks arguing whether or not McCain is lying about his Christ/Cross/guard moment and will let others chase after things that can not be proven one way or another …
Discussion:
First Draft, Buck Naked Politics, Unqualified Offerings, TBogg, Alas, a blog and The Jed Report
RELATED:
William McGurn / Wall Street Journal:
For Obama, Taxes Are About Fairness — On Saturday night at the Saddleback Church in Southern California, Rick Warren showed Jim, Gwen, Tom, Bob and Co. what a presidential moderator can accomplish when he makes the debate about the candidates and not himself.