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, Riehl World View, 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:
Outside The Beltway, MSNBC, No More Mister Nice Blog, Washington Wire, The Washington Independent, www.redstate.com, Political Perceptions, Boston Globe, The Next Right, Shakesville, Real Clear Politics, TownHall Blog, Philly.com, Tales from the Trail, 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, MSNBC, BuzzFlash.org, The Carpetbagger Report, The Strata-Sphere, Electoral-vote.com, The Anonymous Liberal, Drudge Report, Greatscat!, Rumproast, Associated Press, Hot Air, marbury, Buck Naked Politics, FP Passport, Ace of Spades HQ, TownHall Blog, Taylor Marsh, Gothamist, Washington Post, Viking Pundit, TPM Election Central, TIME.com, Cogitamus, The Other McCain and Sister Toldjah
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.
Discussion:
Jezebel
Karen Tumulty / Time:
Obama Sharpens the Message — Barack Obama seems to have gotten the message about his message. In the past few days, amid growing concerns among Democratic allies, Obama has begun campaigning in a different gear, one that is more aggressive in attacking John McCain and more focused on the economic concerns of struggling Americans.
RELATED:
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
AP: Title, print run on Woodward book announced
Discussion:
TIME.com
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 …
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 …
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 …
Discussion:
Hugh Hewitt's TownHall Blog, Confederate Yankee, NewsBusters.org, Argghhh! and Sister Toldjah
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.
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” …
Justin Pope / Associated Press:
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.
Andrew Malcolm / Top of the Ticket:
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 …
Washington Wire:
Obama Touts Single-Payer System for Health Care — Amy Chozick reports on the presidential race from Albuquerque, N.M. — Barack Obama said he would consider embracing a single-payer health-care system, beloved by liberals, as his plan for broader coverage evolves over time.
Discussion:
Hot Air
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.