June 2008

Call react from Bill Clinton's team ... A statement from Matt McKenna, director of communications, Office of President Clinton:

"President Clinton had a very good conversation with Senator Obama today. He renewed his offer to do whatever he can to ensure Senator Obama is our next President. President Clinton continues to be impressed by Senator Obama and the campaign he has run, and looks forward to campaigning for and with him in the months to come. The President believes that Senator Obama has been a great inspiration for millions of people around the country, and he knows that he will bring the change America needs as our next President."

Barack Obama called Bill Clinton this morning after landing in MO, reports NBC/NJ's Athena Jones. They spoke for about 20 minutes on the drive between Kansas City and Independence. Obama Comm. Dir. Robert Gibbs asked the former president to campaign with and for him in the fall.

"I believe the president wants to and was excited about it, Gibbs said.

More from Obama spokesman Bill Burton: “Senator Obama had a terrific conversation with President Clinton and is honored to have his support in this campaign. He has always believed that Bill Clinton is one of this nation’s great leaders and most brilliant minds, and looks forward to seeing him on the campaign trail and receiving his counsel in the months to come."

Does this exchange indicate there's peace in the valley? We shall see ...

ALLENTOWN, PA – While Barack Obama used his speech this morning to distance himself from Gen. Wesley Clark's comments criticizing John McCain's military record, the McCain campaign spent much of the morning working to tie Clark to Obama.

After a conference call in which several of his supporters said that Clark's comments were a part of the Obama campaign strategy, McCain told reporters that Obama and his surrogates were participating in dirty politics.

"I'm proud of my record of service, and I have plenty of friends and leaders who will attest to that," McCain said. "But the important thing is if that's the kind of campaign that Senator Obama and his surrogates and his supporters want to engage I understand that, but it doesn't reduce the price of a gallon gas by one penny. It doesn't achieve our energy independence any – make it come any closer. It doesn't help an American stay in their home who are in risk of losing it today, and it certainly doesn't do anything to address the challenges that Americans have in keeping their jobs, their homes and supporting their families."

McCain did not push for Obama to condemn the remarks. Instead, he said, "Gen. Clark is not an isolated incident, but I have no way of knowing how much involvement Sen. Obama has in that issue." McCain said he would "let the American people decide" if Obama had gone back on his promise to practice a new kind of politics.

The senator was also asked if he shared concerns recently expressed by senior Pentagon officials that the Taliban and al Qaeda might be making a resurgence in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and more specifically if American forces could handle such a resurgence given the troop surge in Iraq. At first McCain simply answered, "Yes and yes," but after some prodding, he elaborated.

"We have a lot of work to do, and this is a formidable adversary and the challenges are great, not only for us but for our NATO allies," McCain said, after expressing his concerns about the state of relations between Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States. McCain then brought the conversation back to Iraq. "To somehow think that it's an either/or situation – either Afghanistan or Iraq – is a fundamental misreading of the situation in the Middle East," he said. "What happens in Iraq matters in Afghanistan. It matters in Iran. It matters in all the countries in the region."

(NBC/NJ's ADAM AIGNER-TREWORGY)

John McCain's camp today used Bud Day, who appeared in ads in 2004 for the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, to criticize Wes Clark for saying that McCain's service doesn't qualify him to be commander in chief. The Swift Boat Vets were, of course, instrumental in diminishing John Kerry's war service, painting the 2004 Democratic nominee as unpatriotic for protesting the Vietnam War.

Day -- Appears 46 seconds in ...

Day -- Appears 40 seconds in ...

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Barack Obama is up with his second ad of the general election. The spot -- which notes that Obama worked his way through college and law school, and touts his roots as a community organizer -- will air in Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Virginia.

Narrator: "He passed a law to move people from welfare to work, slashed the rolls by 80 percent. Passed tax cuts for workers, health care for kids. As president, he'll end tax breaks for companies that export jobs, reward those that create jobs in America."

Script after the jump.

Barack Obama today responding to Wes Clark's comment about John McCain's service, per NBC/NJ's Athena Jones:

"Beyond a loyalty to America’s ideals, beyond a willingness to dissent on behalf of those ideals, I also believe that patriotism must, if it is to mean anything, involve the willingness to sacrifice – to give up something we value on behalf of a larger cause. For those who have fought under the flag of this nation – for the young veterans I meet when I visit Walter Reed; for those like John McCain who have endured physical torment in service to our country – no further proof of such sacrifice is necessary. And let me also add that no one should ever devalue that service, especially for the sake of a political campaign, and that goes for supporters on both sides," he said during a speech in Independence, MO.

Barack Obama speaks in Independence, MO, today about patriotism. Full text of his speech available after the jump.

John McCain's team held a conference call this morning seeking to squeeze another day out of Wes Clark's Sunday remark that McCain's service doesn't necessarily qualify him to be commander in chief.

"I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president," Clark said during an appearance on CBS' "Face the Nation."

Today on the McCain camp call, VA Sen. John Warner, former Secretary of the Navy, said he was shocked by Clark's assertion. And he noted that for Barack Obama to allow such a comment shows "poor judgment."

"I was utterly shocked when I saw this yesterday, knowing Clark as I have, that he would in such a disrespecful way attack one of his fellow officers," Warner said.

Lt. Commander Carl Smith, USNR (Ret.) called Clark's comment, "unworthy, unseemly for someone of his stature and for a campaign that prides itself on the good judgment of its candidates."

Also on the call were Col. Bud Day, USAF (Ret.), a Medal of Honor recipient, and Lt.Col. Orson Swindle, USMC (Ret.). The group pushed the notion that Clark's remark reflects Team Obama's thinking about the presumptive GOP nom -- and is further evidence that Obama's campaign represents politics as usual, despite claims to the contrary.

It's worth noting here that on the stump Obama routinely praises McCain's military service and has repeatedly called him an "American hero."

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

As the dog days of summer descend and a pre-convention lull in the action settles in, both candidates are heading abroad to beef up their foreign policy creds and show the nation and the world that they have the stature (read gravitas) to be president.

Barack Obama's campaign announced over the weekend that he will travel to France, Germany, Israel, Jordan and the United Kingdom to speak with those nations' leaders about terrorism, nuclear proliferation and climate change, among other matters. For security reasons, dates haven't been released. Note also that Iraq isn't on the itinerary.

Obama on the journey: “This trip will be an important opportunity for me to assess the situation in countries that are critical to American national security, and to consult with some of our closest friends and allies about the common challenges we face. Israel is a strong and close friend of the United States, and is confronting grave threats from Gaza to Tehran. Jordan has been a close partner in the peace process and a host of other issues of common concern. France, Germany, and the United Kingdom are key anchors of the transatlantic alliance and have contributed to the mission in Afghanistan, and I look forward to discussing how we can strengthen our partnership in the years to come. This will be an important opportunity to have an exchange of views with leaders in these countries about these and other issues that are critical to American national security -- and global security -- in the 21st century.”

John McCain, meanwhile, heads to Mexico and Colombia this week to talk trade and drug policy.

McCain also met over the weekend with evangelical leader Billy Graham and his son, Franklin. NBC/NJ's Matthew Berger's report is available after the jump. On Call Aside -- Neither endorsed the GOP nom ...

In Sunshine State news, McCain announced his Hispanic leadership team. Honorary state co-chairs: Sen. Mel Martinez, and Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, and Mario Diaz-Balar. tLatinos compose 17% of FL's pop.

Policy discussions dominated the Sunday shows. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) was on "Face the Nation."

Lieberman, asked if he believes Barack Obama is not ready to be POTUS: "John McCain is more ready to be president on foreign and domestic policy because of his extraordinary experience. And it's good experience. It's experience where he's had the guts to do what's right for his country, including in Iraq, where he opposed the administration policy for a long time."

More Lieberman: "I hope Barack Obama goes to Iraq. And, frankly, I hope he changes his position. Because if we had done what Senator Obama asked us to do, for the last couple of years, today Iran and Al Qaida would be in control of Iraq. It would be a terrible defeat for us and our allies in the Middle East and throughout the world."

After the jump, interviews with third party candidates and Western govs.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

CLEVELAND - John McCain said he believes joint town-hall meetings with Barack Obama are now "very, very unlikely."

Speaking to reporters on his "Straight Talk Express" bus Friday, McCain said he'll keep asking.

"I think there are some events where we are, organizations that we're supposed to both be speaking to and I would hope that maybe he would join me at those," McCain said. "But it doesn't seem that-we haven't gotten any more responses from his campaign, so I'm told."

McCain said he would not portray Obama as arrogant or an elitist in the general election campaign.

"As the campaigning goes forward I will treat him with respect that the nominee of the party has earned," he said. "And it's not respectful for me to say that he is an elitist or, I am not saying that."

McCain said he references Obama's "bitter" comments because "that is not my view of the small towns in Pennsylvania that he was talking about."

"So we just have a very different opinion," he said. "That does mean to me that he is an elitist. It just means that he has a very different view of what his fundamentals of the heartland of America.''

McCain, who has been reaching out to conservative voters in recent days, said a meeting Sunday with Franklin Graham is not part of that effort.

"No, he is a man whose family is respected, incredibly respected, and I consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to meet with him," he said. "I think the Graham family really transcends politics in America. Billy Graham was an adviser to every president, and so I'm not sure that there is any---there certainly is no political aspect to of the meeting that I will have.''

(NBC/NJ's MATTHEW BERGER)

From now until 11/4, The Hotline will regularly publish the Electoral College chart (available in full after the jump and summarized below) to estimate the winner of the WH '08 contest based on recent state polling data and previous election results.

The chart includes all WH '08 state polling data published in The Hotline since 5/23. The most recent poll, the one used to identify each state's winner, is listed on the same line as the state symbol. For the 23 states (including DC) without current polling data available, the winner has been estimated based on WH '00 and WH '04 results.

(Hotline's MATTHEW GOTTLIEB and CARRIE DINDINO)

"She rocks. She rocks. That's the point I'm trying to make." -- Barack Obama on Hillary Clinton, in Unity, NH, today.

Obama's Unity speech available in full after the jump.

Hillary Clinton said she stands today with Barack Obama in Unity, NH, to create "an unstoppable force for change we can all believe in."

"Unity is not only a beautiful place, as we can see, but it's a beautiful feeling, isn't it?" said Clinton, who won the state's first-in-the-nation primary in January.

She added: "New Hampshire has a special place in my heart, and I'm here to ensure that, come November, New Hampshiire will have a special place in Barack Obama's heart as well."

(BBC photo)

Dem blue for the Dem duo. In Unity.

Such a nice touch.

Here are the scheduled guests for the Sunday public affairs shows and other weekend programs:

SUNDAY:

Meet the Press hosts Govs. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA), Dave Freudenthal (D-WY) and Bill Ritter (D-CO), and NBC pol. dir. Chuck Todd.

Face the Nation hosts Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Gen. Wesley Clark. The roundtable is TBD.

This Week hosts MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) and Ralph Nader, and a roundtable with Nation's Katrina vanden Heuvel, conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, Huffington Post's Arianna Huffington and National Review's Byron York.

Fox News Sunday hosts PA Gov. Ed Rendell (D), ex-OMB dir./ex-Rep. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Bob Barr. The "Power Player" is Nathans Restaurant owner/host of the Q & A Cafe Carol Joynt.

Late Edition hosts U.S. Amb. to Iraq Ryan Crocker, Senate Min. Leader Mitch McConnell, NJ Gov. Jon Corzine (D), LA Gov. Bobby Jindal (R), and a roundtable with CNN's Ed Henry and Hotline's Amy Walter.

See other weekend shows after the jump.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama link arms publicly for the first time at 1p.m. in Unity, NH. Check in then for the latest ...

In the meantime, four things to watch for:

Chemistry -- Do they look like they're doing more than going through the motions? Is there any discernable affection? Is this Unity thing an exercise in the perfunctory -- or do the Dems manage to sell voters on party unity and a sincere Team Clinton endorsement for the presumptive Dem nom?

Attack Dog Potential -- Does Clinton nail John McCain for offshore drilling or his lobbyist ties or his support for Bush's economic policies? In other words, does she look like she's auditioning for the veep slot? Likely or not, does she seem like she wants it?

Fighting Words -- What does Obama say to HRC's supporters? How does he make his case to women and Hispanics and the working class? Does he hit her buzzwords (her invisible line or talk of folks who have been knocked down but stood back up again)? Polls show Obama is starting to move the needle, but he needs to co-opt Clinton's fighting message in order to ensure that the bounce isn't fleeting.

Big Bill -- If he's not there -- and it's not likely he will be -- how is he mentioned? What kind of wishes will he send via HRC to Obama?

New Hampshire Lovin' -- The Dems are, of course, in the Granite State today, and NH is, by everyone's measure, a critical '08 swing state. McCain has won two GOP primaries there. Affection for him runs deep. How do Obama and HRC make a play for NH voters?

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

A new John McCain spot running on national cable and in battleground states, talks about the country's oil crisis, comparing the challenge to space travel.

"We went to the moon not because it was easy, but because it was hard," says a male narrator.

I co-wrote today's National Journal cover story about Emily's List, the Democratic women's political action committee, with my colleague (and pal) Bara Vaida. We examine Emily's List's efforts to rebound from major losses in 2006 and Hillary Clinton's failed White House bid. And we ask if Clinton's defeat, in particular, calls into question the core of Emily's List's strategy -- that women will still back women candidates in the interest of equality.

Have gender politics fallen victim to a personality-driven, message-oriented politics?

Give it a read:

by Bara Vaida and Jennifer Skalka

Sat. Jun 28, 2008

EMILY's List founder Ellen Malcolm took the stage at the group's annual donor luncheon in Washington this month to a rousing ovation from supporters who had packed into the Omni Shoreham ballroom for grilled-chicken salad and a pep talk. Still smarting from Hillary Rodham Clinton's defeat in the Democratic presidential primary, the tall, broad-shouldered Malcolm, who co-chaired the New York senator's campaign and has, over the past quarter-century, helped create one of the most powerful progressive fundraising machines in Democratic politics, copped to feeling uncharacteristically vulnerable.

"I appreciate your warmth," Malcolm announced, perched at the spotlighted podium. "I'm a little emotionally fragile."

Malcolm, 61, wasn't simply seeking sympathy from loyal followers. She has had a rough month. Clinton was the quintessential EMILY's List candidate: an abortion-rights, women-first dynamo and a star in the political firmament.

Although EMILY's List is not to blame for Clinton's narrow loss to Barack Obama, the group had a lot riding on her candidacy--politically and psychologically. Her defeat calls into question the very core of EMILY's List's strategy--that women will back female candidates in the interest of equality, and that gender and identity politics can trump issues, message, and personality. Clinton's failure, in many ways, is also a reflection of the divide between Baby Boomer women (the foundation of EMILY's List) and their daughters, who, according to exit poll data, came out in force in the primaries for Obama. Among women age 29 and younger, Obama routinely defeated Clinton in key primary states, even in contests that Clinton won, while Clinton overwhelmingly beat Obama among women age 45 and older.

Clinton's fall from front-runner to runner-up capped a challenging few years for EMILY's List, which pioneered the use of direct mail and donor bundling to raise early money for Democratic women candidates. In the 2006 election, Democrats triumphed mightily, yet EMILY's List faltered, as 74 percent of the challengers it backed lost their general election contests.

In the current campaign cycle, meanwhile, the group has drawn fire from other Democrats for employing divisive tactics--from pitting abortion-rights Democratic women against Democratic congressmen who also favor abortion rights, to feuding publicly with another high-profile abortion-rights group about its decision to endorse Obama.

EMILY's List has won wide praise over the years for leveraging the power of women at the polls and building an unprecedented network of progressive female donors. But now some political observers say that the group's influence may be waning.

"They've been too narrow," said Rep. Marcy Kaptur, an Ohio Democrat who believes that EMILY's List missed an opportunity to back female candidates who are more moderate on abortion rights but care about other progressive issues, such as the minimum wage.

"I represent women who organize unions, carry mail on their backs, raise children, fight harassment in the workplace," added Kaptur, who opposes abortion and represents working-class Toledo. "They love their husbands and their sons. And with EMILY's List, I always felt there was a class-based, gender-based divide."

As the November election looms large, EMILY's List has to demonstrate that its message and approach are still valid--even as the political world morphs to accommodate the Facebook generation--and in essence prove that it can still win.

"People will ask if they've lost their mojo, just because Hillary lost and because of the [2006] congressional elections," said Thomas Schaller, associate professor of politics at the University of Maryland (Baltimore County). "I don't think it is necessarily because of anything that they've done, but I don't know that it's not. People are puzzling over this."

The SCOTUS' gun ruling was supported by John McCain and Barack Obama. McCain is now accusing Obama of reversing his position on the gun ban in DC, saying it is part of a pattern of flip-flopping by the Dem nominee.

CNN's Yellin: "Last year, the Obama campaign said that he believes the D.C. gun ban is constitutional. But, today, Obama says he supports the Supreme Court's decision. Senator Obama's campaign insists he's had a clear position all along, that he supports the right to own a gun, but believes that local government has the right to pass gun laws" ("Election Center," 6/26).

FNC's Barnes: "It is proof once again that someone in politics, and maybe just in life, that can keep two utterly conflicting ideas in their mind at the same time and continue to profess them and get away with it in American politics. I mean, look, if you're for the D.C. gun ban, as the court said today, you can't be for the second amendment as an individual right. Those just don't work together. And yet he's maintaining that" ("Special Report," 6/26).

Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence's Paul Hemke: "McCain's happy, but I think he's reading the politics wrong. ... This is taking away the slippery slope argument. It's taking the 'anything goes' argument" ("Hardball," MSNBC, 6/26).

Obama comm. dir. Robert Gibbs, on McCain saying Obama has changed his position on gun control to suit the mood of the country: "Well, it's the same old Washington political talk that we get from the McCain campaign every day. I think our statements have been crystal clear on this. Again, he supports law abiding gun owners and their right to bear arms. And I think that's ... the right he'll uphold as president. And I think that's what he talked about today" ("LKL," CNN, 6/26).

After the jump, Obama speaks to Bloomberg and coverage of the Mayflower meeting.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

Check out the pool report from last night's Hillary Clinton/Barack Obama funders meeting at Washington's Mayflower Hotel. Available after the jump.

From the St. Pete Times:

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made a guest appearance today at the Florida Climate Change Summit in Miami hosted by Governor Charlie Crist.

- David Adams

CINCINNATI, OH - Sen. John McCain told conservative leaders during a closed-door meeting today that he would do more to highlight his pro-life record and views on other social issues to garner more Christian conservative support, according to several who attended the gathering. In turn, the leaders cautioned McCain that he could lose the critical swing state if he doesn't start speaking about family values issues.

"He needs to find his voice a little better in Ohio," said Mike Gonidakis, executive director of Ohio Right to Life, one of several leaders who met with McCain for more than an hour. "He pledged to us we'd hear a lot more from him and that he'd be speaking his voice on these issues."

The officials said they walked away impressed with McCain's positions, and said they believed the "ship is turning" in conservative support for the Republican presidential candidate.

The group spoke about McCain's pro-life voting record, as well as his support for state amendments banning gay marriage. They urged him to highlight these positions, especially in events in their swing state.

The leaders said McCain also acknowledged where they disagree, specifically on embryonic stem-cell research, which McCain has supported. The candidate received literature on new research developments which they said made use of the cells from embryos unnecessary.

This week's National Journal Congressional Insiders Poll, conducted by Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell and available in tomorrow's magazine and online, asks members:

Q: On a scale of zero (no chance) to 10 (virtual certainty), rate your willingness to support the following energy-related measures:

Democrats (38)

Average Score
Permit drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge 0.9
Raise taxes on oil companies 8.2
Reduce ethanol mandates 4.8
Relax the ban on offshore drilling 1.8
Further tighten fuel-efficiency standards
for cars and light trucks 8.9

Republicans (41)

Average Score
Permit drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge 9.0
Raise taxes on oil companies 1.1
Reduce ethanol mandates 7.0
Relax the ban on offshore drilling 9.4
Further tighten fuel-efficiency standards
for cars and light trucks 4.5

The full survey can be read here.

Edward T. Pound has a piece out tomorrow in National Journal that asks:

"Will Norm Coleman's relationship with a well-connected GOP operative hurt him in his tough battle for re-election?"

The full story is available after the jump. Enjoy ...

MANCHESTER, NH – Stumping for Democratic candidates here today, Michelle Obama praised Hillary Clinton for bringing women's issues to the forefront of the election debate.

Before a roundtable discussion in New Hampshire – where Clinton will appear tomorrow for the first time with Barack Obama – Michelle Obama paid homage to those who have dreamed of equal rights in America.

"I know that we are closer to this America than ever before," she told an audience of about 300 in Manchester. "And that's largely because of an extraordinary woman who's not in this room, but she's traveling with my husband tomorrow, and that woman is Hillary Clinton."

"Because of Hillary Clinton's work," she added, "the issues of importance to women and to working families are front and center in this election."

Obama appeared with former governor Jeanne Shaheen, who is challenging Republican Sen. John Sununu. Four other New Hampshire women participated in the roundtable, which focused on education, health insurance and other issues mentioned by participants as those particularly important to women voters. At one point, Obama quipped that the discussion between the women looked like "our version of The View."

WASHINGTON -- Hillary Clinton received a warm welcome today from a group that supported her in strong numbers during the primary, telling a room full of Latino elected officials that "we all have to be united."

"I was very honored to have so much support in the Hispanic community," she said before a meeting of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. "I believe this country is worth fighting for, and the best way to continue this fight is to elect Barack Obama as president of the United States."

Clinton said that President Bush has "sent our nation backwards," and she listed a host of problems facing the country from lack of affordable health insurance to unemployment to the mortgage crisis. Clinton revived a familiar line from her campaign, saying she will continue standing up for the "invisible," adding that the best way to help them "is to make sure that we have a Democratic president taking the oath of office."

"And we need to elect more Democratic senators and more Democratic members of the House," she added. "We need to show that the Democratic Party is ready to govern, to make it clear that the progress which we should take for granted in American can again be counted on."

The applause offered each time she urged attendees to back Obama was less enthusiastic than the initial support that greeted her. But Clinton worked to temper any remaining resentment and talked about her own plan to campaign with Obama in Unity, NH, tomorrow, where she said they would be "making the case for a Democratic victory."

For the 1,630 residents of Unity, NH, word that they would be the center of the most talked about photo op of the presidential contest – the first joint public appearance of Democratic primary rivals Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton -- came not via Obama’s campaign but from the AP.

“They didn’t call us to inform us ourselves,” said Tammy Dowd, secretary to Unity’s three selectmen. “I guess [Willard Hathaway, chairman of the board of selectmen] got a phone call over the weekend, and he thought it was a joke. He laughed about it and said he didn’t think it was a real phone call.”

Hathaway tells On Call that he heard from one Obama point-person at the end of last week. While the caller said that the campaign was “thinking of having an event at the Unity Elementary School,” Hathaway said he “didn’t know if that was an event that was going to take place this fall or whenever.” The day after news of Obama and Clinton’s visit broke, Dowd said, “the Secret Service crawled into the school, and they’ve been around ever since.”

Visitors are already streaming into Unity, a Southwestern New Hampshire town chartered in 1790 and located near the Vermont border. Together, Unity’s municipal and school budgets total $3.5M. The town’s population count includes residents of a county prison and the local nursing home.

New Hampshire is the center of presidential primary action every four years, but rural Unity rarely makes it onto candidates’ schedules.

Cheri LeMere, who works in the town’s general store, Will’s Place, said there have been “lots of new people” in her shop. “Most of them are from out of town,” she said. “Lots of journalists.” Meanwhile, Glenn Verity at Unity’s Back Side Inn says the BBC is taking up his entire hotel – all seven rooms.

Susan Sadonsky of the Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce – one town over from Unity – said visitors will park at Mt. Sunapee (about 15 mi. to the east) and Twin States Speedway (about 9 mi. to the northwest) and then take shuttles to the event.

Dowd, the selectmen’s secretary, said the Secret Service has prohibited residents from sprucing up the town and helping with logistics of the event. “We are not allowed to hang a streamer; we are not allowed to let residents offer their land for parking; we are not allowed to do anything,” she said. “When you define nothing, that’s what they’ve told us to do.”

Except enjoy the show.

(Hotline’s NICHOLAS TABOR)

This a.m. Quinnipiac Univ. -- in conjunction with The Wall Street Journal and washingtonpost.com -- released its first surveys of four swing states. The polls, taken among LVs from 6/17-24, show Barack Obama leading John McCain in CO, MI, MN and WI.

In CO, Obama leads 49-44% overall, as well as 51-39% among Inds and 62-36% among Hispanics.

Meanwhile in MI, Obama leads 48-42% among all LVs, 46-38% among Inds and 57-32% among union households.

In MN, Obama holds a commanding 17% lead, a figure which jumps to 21% among Inds; he also draws 12% of GOPers.

And in WI, Obama leads 52-39%; he also lead WI Inds by 13% and union households by 26%.

Quinnipiac also polled two Sen. races; in CO, Mark Udall leads Bob Schaffer 48-38%, while in MN, Norm Coleman leads Al Franken 51-41%.

For more poll details, see today's Hotline.

(Hotline's MATTHEW GOTTLIEB)

Barack Obama's statement on the Supreme Court ruling striking down the District of Columbia's handgun ban:

“I have always believed that the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to bear arms, but I also identify with the need for crime-ravaged communities to save their children from the violence that plagues our streets through common-sense, effective safety measures. The Supreme Court has now endorsed that view, and while it ruled that the D.C. gun ban went too far, Justice Scalia himself acknowledged that this right is not absolute and subject to reasonable regulations enacted by local communities to keep their streets safe. Today’s ruling, the first clear statement on this issue in 127 years, will provide much-needed guidance to local jurisdictions across the country.

“As President, I will uphold the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun-owners, hunters, and sportsmen. I know that what works in Chicago may not work in Cheyenne. We can work together to enact common-sense laws, like closing the gun show loophole and improving our background check system, so that guns do not fall into the hands of terrorists or criminals. Today's decision reinforces that if we act responsibly, we can both protect the constitutional right to bear arms and keep our communities and our children safe."

The AFL-CIO will launch a $53.4M program today in support of Barack Obama, focusing on 24 priority states and more than 13M voters. The effort, which follows the organization's endorsement announcement this afternoon, will include direct mail, phone banking, door knocking, e-mail and worksite visits.

“In so many ways -- on jobs, health care, gas prices and the war in Iraq -- our country is headed in the wrong direction,” AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said. “Barack Obama has proven from his days as an organizer, to his time in the Senate and his historic run for the presidency, that he’s leading the fight to turn around America. He’s a champion for working families who knows what it’s going to take to create an economy that works for everyone, not just Big Oil, Big Pharma, the insurance companies, the giant mortgage lenders, speculators and the very wealthy. We’re proud to stand with Sen. Obama to help our nation chart a course that will improve life for generations of working people and our children.”

Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania are the group's key targets, according to AFL-CIO spokesman Steve Smith. In those states, union voters make up between 25-35 percent of the overall vote. Obama struggled in the Rust Belt states during the primary, losing OH and PA to Hillary Clinton. The Illinois senator wasn't on the ballot in MI.

The AFL-CIO will contrast Obama's record on issues of importance to working class voters -- health care, jobs, fair trade, freedom to join unions, retirement security -- with that of John McCain. Click on the graphic above to link to the group's new Web site -- Working Families Vote 2008, Meet Barack Obama -- which provides a briefing book on Obama's positions.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

WASHINGTON - In her first speech since conceding the Democratic nomination to Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton today urged some of her strongest supporters, nurses, to back the presumptive Democratic nominee.

"I have served with Senator Obama now for nearly four years in the Senate," she told delegates of the American Nurses Association. "I campaigned with him for more than 16 months across our country. I debated with him in more debates than I can remember. And I have seen his passion and determination and his grit and his grace."

She said the stakes are too high not to unite, noting, as she did in her concession speech, that Democrats have won the White House only three times in the last 40 years.

John McCain issued this statement today in response to the Supreme Court ruling to strike down DC's handgun ban:

"Today's decision is a landmark victory for Second Amendment freedom in the United States. For this first time in the history of our Republic, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed that the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms was and is an individual right as intended by our Founding Fathers. I applaud this decision as well as the overturning of the District of Columbia's ban on handguns and limitations on the ability to use firearms for self-defense.

"Unlike Senator Obama, who refused to join me in signing a bipartisan amicus brief, I was pleased to express my support and call for the ruling issued today. Today's ruling in District of Columbia v. Heller makes clear that other municipalities like Chicago that have banned handguns have infringed on the constitutional rights of Americans. Unlike the elitist view that believes Americans cling to guns out of bitterness, today's ruling recognizes that gun ownership is a fundamental right -- sacred, just as the right to free speech and assembly.

"This ruling does not mark the end of our struggle against those who seek to limit the rights of law-abiding citizens. We must always remain vigilant in defense of our freedoms. But today, the Supreme Court ended forever the specious argument that the Second Amendment did not confer an individual right to keep and bear arms."

In a 5-4 ruling issued today, the Supreme Court determined that Americans have the right to own handguns for hunting and self-defense. The high court ruled that DC's 32-year-old ban on handguns did not conform with the gun rights provided by the Second Amendment.

The Washington Post: "The court had not conclusively interpreted the Second Amendment since its ratification in 1791."

Expect an announcement midday ... And a statement from the AFL-CIO's General Board ...

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Ralph Nader's interview with the Rocky Mountain News, as well as Barack Obama's reaction to it, was the talk of the TV last night.

Nader: "There's only one thing different about Barack Obama when it comes to being a Democratic presidential candidate. He's half African-American. Whether that will make any difference, I don't know. I haven't heard him have a strong crack down on economic exploitation in the ghettos, payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead, you know. What's keeping him from doing that? Is it because he wants to talk white? He doesn't want to appear like Jesse Jackson? We'll see all of that play out if the next few months, and if he gets elected afterwards."

Nader also said that Obama "wants to show that he is not ... another politically threatening African-American politician. He wants to appeal to white guilt. You appeal to white guilt by not coming on as black is beautiful, black is powerful. And they love it. Whites just eat it up."

Obama, in response: "First of all, what's clear is Ralph Nader hasn't been paying to my speeches, because all the issues that he talked about, whether it's predatory lending or the housing foreclosure crisis or what have you are issues that the traveling press can tell you I've devoted multiple speeches, town hall meetings to throughout this campaign. Ralph Nader is trying to get attention. He's become a perennial political candidate. I think it's a shame because if you look at his legacy in terms of consumer protections, it's an extraordinary one. But at this point, he's somebody who's trying to get attention and whose campaign hasn't gotten any traction" (mult).

Reaction after the jump.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

John McCain, in a statement today about the chaos in Zimbabwe:

"The Robert Mugabe regime and its armed forces have created a vicious climate of fear in order to defy the will of the people and manipulate the outcome of the June 27 presidential run-off. I fully support the decision of Morgan Tsvangirai and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) to withdraw from the elections. I agree with the assessment of UN Secretary General Moon that “conditions do not exist for free and fair elections right now.

"That is an understatement. Human rights monitors have documents the killing of more than sixty opposition political activists, the beating and torture of 2,000 others, the displacement of tens of thousands, and the suspension of nongovernmental aid programs that provide nutrition to an already vulnerable population. These are the actions of a desperate regime that has lost all legitimacy.

"I believe the international community must act to impose sanctions against Mugabe and his cronies and thereby hasten the end of that regime. We should consider expelling Mugabe’s diplomats from Washington and explore options with our friends in Africa and beyond, including suspending Zimbabwe’s participation in regional organizations as long a Mugabe clings to power. The results of the March 29 election must form the basis of a post-Mugabe resolution in Zimbabwe."

LAS VEGAS, NV - In wrapping up the West Coast swing of his two-week energy tour, John McCain gave something of a closing argument today, summarizing the proposals of the last 10 days and giving them a new name: "The Lexington Project."

"In recent days, I have set before the American people an energy plan, the Lexington - the Lexington Project, the Lexington Project - remember that name," McCain said. "Named for the town where Americans asserted their independence once before. And let it begin today with this commitment: In a world of hostile and unstable suppliers of oil, this nation will achieve strategic independence by the year 2025."

McCain campaign spokesman Brian Rogers said that "strategic independence" is when "oil is no longer the primary fuel for transportation and when the oil cartel no longer has the ability to undermine our economy or the paychecks of the American worker."

Since last Monday, McCain has proposed lifting the moratorium on offshore oil exploration, putting the country on a path to build 45 new nuclear plants by 2030, cracking down on speculation in the oil futures market, committing $2 billion dollars per year to clean coal research, a $300 million prize for the first company that can create a zero-emissions automobile battery and a $5,000 consumer tax credit for the purchase of any zero-emissions vehicles. All of this is in addition to the cap-and-trade system he has proposed as a senator.

Barack Obama campaign manager David Plouffe offered a Power Point presentation to reporters in Washington today in which he explained that Obama's team plans to launch TV ads early in key battleground states: AK, GA, MI, CO, IN, MO, FL, IA, NV, OH, PA, WI, VA, NH, NM, NC, ND and OH.

In making the case for Obama's general election strengths, the presentation highlighted choice polling that shows there's an "enthusiasm gap" in public sentiment toward the political parties, with the Dems more enthusiastic than usual about the election. The Republicans, by contrast, are rather reserved.

Plouffe also noted that the Obama campaign has an unparalleled grassroots network, which includes 1.7 million total donors, 1 million volunteers and more than 5 million email subscribers. And he made the case -- though the jury is still very much out on these points, in particular -- for why Obama does better than McCain with women and Hispanics.

Click the through link above to watch the presentation.

With all the talk of Charlie Black's recent remark in Fortune that a terrorist attack on U.S. soil would ultimately be good for John McCain, we thought we'd remind readers that this was not the first time fear-mongering was employed by the GOPer's team.

Remember this Web ad from the GOP primary? The spot -- title "Experience" -- included graphic footage of a car bombing in making the case for McCain's foreign policy experience over that of rival Mitt Romney:

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Barack Obama will host an Economic Competitiveness Summit at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh tomorrow. He'll be joined by SEIU president Andy Stern and Anna Burger, the group's secretary-treasurer.

Also expected to attend:

Lael Brainard, Vice President of the Brookings Institution;

Eli Broad, Founder of the Broad Foundation;

Geoffrey Canada, President and CEO of Harlem Children's Zone;

Steve Case, Chairman and CEO of Revolution Health; former Chairman and CEO of America Online;

Susan Castillo, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Oregon Department of Education;

Gen. Jim Jones, United States Marine Corps (retired), President and CEO of the Institute for 21st Century Technology, U.S. Chamber of Commerce;

Vinod Khosla, Founder and Partner of Kholsa Ventures;

Susan Hockfield, President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology;

Federico Peña, former Secretary of Transportation and former Secretary of Energy;

Harold Varmus, President of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center;

G. Richard Wagoner, Jr., Chairman and CEO of General Motors

Barack Obama is meeting privately with business leaders today in Chicago. Here, per NBC/NJ's Athena Jones, is the list of attendees:

James Bell, CFO of Boeing, aerospace, IL

Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan Chase, financial services, NY

Ann Fudge, former CEO of Young & Rubicam, public relations, IL

Mark Gallogly, Centerbridge Partners, NY

Alan Mulally, CEO of Ford, auto manufacturer, MI

Jim Rogers, CEO of Duke Energy, energy/alternative, NC

Ronald Williams, CEO of Aetna, healthcare, CT

Brian L. Roberts, President and CEO of Comcast Corporation, PA

Robert Glaser, CEO of Real Networks, CA

Barack Obama has agreed to help Hillary Clinton pay off at least $10M of her debt, according to the AP.

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli, here's the Clinton camp's statement of 'thanks': "Senator Clinton appreciates Senator Obama's generous efforts and is continuing her efforts to raise the monies he needs to ensure a victory in November."

Updates from our Hotline Political Network Affiliates

FNC's Hannity spoke with Focus on the Family founder James Dobson on his radio show about Dobson's radio segment accusing Barack Obama of "deliberately distorting" the Bible and pushing a "fruitcake interpretation" of the Constitution. Parts of the interview ran on last night's "Hannity & Colmes."

Dobson: "Speaking as a private individual again, it terrifies me the thought that he might be our commander in chief, might be in the oval office, might be the leader of the free world because I said it a minute ago, the man is dangerous, especially with regard to this issue of morality" (FNC, 6/24).

Radio talk show host Ed Schultz: "I think the timing of the attack is very interesting. Barack Obama is breaking out in the polls. He's starting to get younger Evangelical Christians on his side, because they're concerned about the environment. And so I think even though [Dobson] is not supporting [John] McCain, this is what he can contribute to the rabid right" ("LKL," CNN, 6/24).

Independent Women's Forum pres. Michelle Bernard: "Most people who read the Bible or read anything for that matter, tend to ... see things through their own lens. And so, I think this is a definite lose for Dobson on this issue. We know from everything that we've seen over the last week that Senator Obama is aggressively going after the evangelical vote" ("Verdict," MSNBC, 6/24).

GOP strategist Bay Buchanan: "I think Barack Obama has made an enormous mistake here moving into this area. The last thing he wants is a debate with Jim Dobson. We have this huge sleeping giant out there of social conservatives, Evangelicals, born again, the traditional Catholics. We kind of feel we don't have a place in this election. He will never get our votes. The best thing he can do is keep us sleeping. He wakes us up when he starts talking about what the Lord meant when it comes to the 'Sermon on the Mount' to suggest that the 'Sermon on the Mount' somehow justifies gay marriage. He will get us all up in arms. We will be intrigued, interested, and in the middle of this battle, and he will lose as a result of that" ("Hannity & Colmes," FNC, 6/24).

After the jump, more on Dobson and Bill Clinton supports Obama ... sort of.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

Rep. Chris Cannon's (R-UT 03) luck finally ran out. In voting yesterday, Gov. Huntsman ex-CoS Jason Chaffetz (R) defeated Cannon 60-40%. Cannon is the third incumbent to lose a primary this cycle, adding his name to a list that includes Reps. Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD 01) and Al Wynn (D-MD 04).

Cannon has been in office since '96, but didn't start having problems until '04, after immigration became a serious issue in the CD. GOP primary challengers portrayed him as "pro-amnesty," and ran to Cannon's right on the issue. In UT's primary system, each party's candidates run in a convo, and if no one receives 60% of the vote, the top-2 finishers move to a primary. In '04 and '06, Cannon won the convo vote, but not with 60%, and was forced into a primary. He won each handily, however.

This year, Chaffetz took 59% at the May convo, and came within 10 votes of winning the nod outright. But past results comforted Cannon, and many believed that a wider electorate, not just the more conservative party insiders, would save him once again. But that was not the case, as last p.m.'s results nearly matched convo's results.

A new Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg survey shows Barack Obama leading John McCain by 12 points. His largest lead of the general. Read more here.

A snippet:

"McCain suffers from a pronounced "enthusiasm gap," especially among the conservatives who usually give Republican candidates a reliable base of support. Among voters who describe themselves as conservative, only 58% say they will vote for McCain; 15% say they will vote for Obama, 14% say they will vote for someone else, and 13% say they are undecided.

"By contrast, 79% of voters who describe themselves as liberal say they plan to vote for Obama."

Watch Hillary Clinton's return to the Senate today, courtesy of ABC News. Complete, we should note, with a point and wave ...

Sen. Gordon Smith, R-OR, has a new ad touting his work with Barack Obama to pass laws to increase gas mileage for automobiles. Smith pitches his "bipartisan leadership" on the matter -- and he doesn't mention a word about his party's presumptive nom, John McCain.

Obama spokesman Bill Burton quickly responded with a statement noting that Obama is backing the Dem in OR's Senate race:

“Barack Obama has a long record of bipartisan accomplishment and we appreciate that it is respected by his Democratic and Republican colleagues in the Senate. But in this race, Oregonians should know that Barack Obama supports Jeff Merkley for Senate. Merkley will help Obama bring about the fundamental change we need in Washington."

When John McCain announced last week that he would push to lift the federal moratorium against offshore drilling, he put several fellow Republicans, many of whom represent coastal states and are in tight election contests, in a tough spot.

McCain’s move forced some senators to moderate their prior positions, while others opted to oppose their party’s presumptive nominee rather than miff environmentally-conscious constituents.

Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-NC, has been against drilling off the coast of the Tar Heel State, but her spokesman, Brian Nick, told On Call she’s now flexible.

“She has opposed drilling off the state’s coast in the past but would certainly be open to looking at future proposals closely to gauge effects on NC economy, particularly tourism,” Nick said in an e-mail.

Kimberly Collins, a spokeswoman for Sen. Gordon Smith, R-OR, left a terse message for On Call, saying only that Smith does not support McCain’s proposal.

And former Rep. Dick Zimmer, R-NJ, a candidate for Senate, said he, too, wouldn’t back McCain’s plan, which was seconded last week by President Bush.

“I oppose the efforts by President Bush and the Congress to suspend the ban on offshore oil drilling,” Zimmer said in a statement. “In the U.S. Senate, as I did in Congress, I will support a ban on oil and gas leases off our coast because of the risks they pose to our environment and our economy. I am strongly against any drilling or exploration off the New Jersey coast or in any area that poses a risk to our beaches.”

Others are sticking with party leaders. Despite his state’s scenic rural tradition, Sen. John Sununu, R-NH, stood firm with McCain and Bush. “He is supporting offshore drilling,” said Sununu spokeswoman Liz Chamberlain. “As far as whether the senator supports Sen. McCain’s proposal to lift the moratorium on offshore oil drilling, he does.”

Not only does the issue reinforce the environmental schism within the Republican Party, but McCain’s announcement provided an opening for Democrats running in moderate states to agree with the GOP contender, thus appealing to swing voters, the business community and big oil donors.

Former VA Gov. Mark Warner, a Democrat running for Senate this year, once vetoed a bill allowing offshore drilling. But Kevin Hall, a Warner campaign spokesman, said Warner’s decision turned on a technicality and that the candidate is now open to exploration.

“Mark Warner stands with Republican presidential nominee John McCain in opposing drilling in ANWR, and he stands with Republican U.S. Senator John Warner and Democrat Jim Webb in supporting bipartisan legislation to allow exploration for natural gas only 50-miles off the Virginia coast,” Hall told On Call.

Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-LA, issued a statement last week after Bush announced his support for McCain’s proposal, headlined: “Welcome to the Offshore Energy Fight, Mr. President ... We've Been Waiting For You.”

“Throughout her Senate career, Senator Landrieu has been a staunch believer that the U.S. needs to expand domestic production and pull back on counterproductive moratoria both onshore and offshore,” Landrieu spokeswoman Stephanie Allen told On Call today. “She plans to soon introduce legislation on this topic. She also authored legislation signed into law in 2006 that opened in the Gulf of Mexico the single largest area to development – more than 8 million acres – in more than three decades.”

So did McCain, eager to seem proactive in trying to solve the nation’s energy crisis (if not also making a play for the affections of wealthy oil industry donors), raise a matter that could potentially hurt a number of his Republican colleagues and hopefuls in the fall?

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

During his energy speech in Las Vegas today, Barack Obama slammed John McCain for voting against wind and solar power bills, among other initiatives. He also criticized the presumptive GOP nom for announcing this week that he would award $300M for the devlopment of a new and efficient car battery.

"After all those years in Washington, John McCain still doesn't get it," Obama said. "I commend him for his desire to accelerate the search for a battery that can power the cars of the future. I've been talking about this myself for the last few years. But I don't think a $300 million prize is enough. When John F. Kennedy decided that we were going to put a man on the moon, he didn't put a bounty out for some rocket scientist to win - he put the full resources of the United States government behind the project and called on the ingenuity and innovation of the American people."

Full speech is available after the jump.

"It's very helpful to the president," remarked a GOP pol in an October 2004 report about the release of a new Osama bin Laden tape.

A hint -- It wasn't Charlie Black. It was John McCain, commenting in a 10/30/04 AP story. More: "McCain, who has repeatedly campaigned on Bush's behalf, said the terrorists' videotape 'focuses America's attention on the war on terrorism. I'm not sure if it was intentional or not, but I think it does have an effect,' he said."

The full story, circulated today by a Democratic group, is available after the jump.

In a Fortune piece released 6/20, Black said:

"The assassination of Benazir Bhutto in December was an 'unfortunate event,' says Black. 'But his knowledge and ability to talk about it reemphasized that this is the guy who's ready to be Commander-in-Chief. And it helped us.' As would, Black concedes with startling candor after we raise the issue, another terrorist attack on U.S. soil. 'Certainly it would be a big advantage to him,' says Black."

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

SANTA BARBARA, CA – Usually John McCain's panel discussions feature a stage full of experts in a given field telling McCain how great his proposals would be for the country. But at today's discussion about energy at the Museum of Natural History here, one panelist didn't get the memo.

Michael Feeney, the executive director of the land trust for Santa Barbara County and a professional land conservationist, took issue with some of McCain's environmental policies, accusing the candidate and fellow panelist CA Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of being too willing to compromise on environmental standards in devising energy solutions.

"I've heard both of the elected officials here [today] say in various forms and others say that we need to solve our energy and our national security and our economic security problems without compromising or stepping back from our environmental standards," Feeney began. But he then gave several examples of proposals that McCain supports that, in his view, would compromise the advances this country has made in cleaning up the air and "protecting land for future generations."

"I don't understand how it's not compromising our environmental standards to propose a crash program to build more nuclear power plants when the industry has not complied with the federal law that requires there to be safe disposal for the radioactive waste," Feeney said, alluding to McCain's plan to put the country on a path to building 45 new nuclear reactors by 2030.

Full text of John McCain's environmental speech is available after the jump. Here's a snippet:

"Energy efficiency is no longer just a moral luxury or a personal virtue. A smarter use of energy is part of a critical national effort to regain control of our own energy future. And in this effort, practical ideas are worth a lot more than uplifting lectures."

Bill Clinton's office today released his first public comment in support of Barack Obama since Hillary Clinton exited the Democratic primary:

"President Clinton is obviously committed to doing whatever he can and is asked to do to ensure Senator Obama is the next President of the United States."

This comes 72 hours before Obama and HRC link arms in the aptly-named Unity, NH.

John McCain is gearing up for a 9 a.m. PT environmental speech at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, but he's not getting a particularly warm welcome, reports NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy:

"There are probably 40 people outside the Museum of Natural in History in Santa Barbara protesting John McCain's visit here. This is probably the biggest protest we've ever seen outside a McCain event. The groups involved are the Santa Barbara County League of Conservation Voters, Get Oil Out(.org) and a few (Barack) Obama supporters."

A few updates ... Or Odds And Ends, as we like to call them.

-- SEIU officials announced today that the group is launching an $85M election effort, targeting swing states on behalf of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign as well as important gubernatorial and congressional races. States in focus: CO, IA, MN, NC, NH, NM, OH, PA, VA and WI. SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger said in a statement that more than 100K union members will volunteer their time on behalf of Dem candidates this cycle.

-- John McCain's camp is opening a NJ/NY regional office in Woodbridge, NJ, this week. The candidate, meanwhile, will give an environmental speech this afternoon in Santa Barbara -- with CA Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in attendance. McCain is also participating tonight in a "tele-town hall" meeting with registered Independents and Democrats from Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

-- Obama is raising coin in Tinseltown tonight. The Republican National Committee's Alex Conant used the event to criticize Obama, much as Hillary Clinton did, for being all flash, no substance: "Barack Obama broke his promise to the public so that he could raise millions from Hollywood's rich and famous. He may have a few good lines, but Obama is a typical politician straight from central casting."

-- And here's MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a GOP veepstakes contender (frontrunner?), slamming Obama this morning for a "do-nothing" approach to the nation's energy crisis:

Updates from our Hotline Political Network Affiliates

A lot of last night's TV coverage focused on the comments made by John McCain's adviser, Charlie Black. In an interview with Fortune, Black said a terrorist attack on U.S. soil would be a "big advantage" for McCain, and that the assasination of ex-Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto in Dec. was "an unfortunate event," but it helped the campaign.

Time's Klein: "It is perfectly fine to talk about your candidate's national security credentials. And John McCain certainly has a ton of those. But there's been a pattern in the Republican Party, going back to Karl Rove briefing the Republican National Committee in 2003 on the fact that the war in Iraq was going to be good for Republicans. This is another step along that same path" ("AC 360," CNN, 6/23).

Dick Morris: "Crazy choice of words, of course, but the point that he meant, which is basically true, is that anything that reminds us of the severity of the danger that we face from terrorism is going to help McCain because he's seen as better able to deal with it. ... It's appropriate to attack Charlie on it but I think it's important for us to understand the broader meaning of what he was trying to say" ("Hannity & Colmes," FNC, 6/23).

Independent Women's Forum pres. Michelle Bernard: "It probably hurt John McCain for 24 hours. The statement -- it's almost analogous to Hillary Clinton when she was giving arguments about why she should stay in the race and she made the huge faux pas in referencing the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. Because of our nation's history, people will remember that. People will remember 9/11. We're also four months out before the election. I think this issue will have a very short life span in the news cycle. ... No American will attribute this misstatement by Charlie Black to John McCain. In the long run, it's not going to hurt him" ("Hardball," MSNBC, 6/23).

More after the jump.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

Leonard Downie Jr. stepped down today as executive editor of The Washington Post. His last day is Sept. 8. Downie, who will be the paper's vice president at large, led the WaPo to 25 Pulitzers. Read more here.

Barack Obama's podium seal bit the dust today after just one outing. Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs told CNN today: “That was a one time thing for a one time event."

The seal, which debuted at a Friday Obama event and was roundly criticized for looking too much like the presidential seal, featured the Latin “Vero Possumus.” Translation -- "Yes We Can."

John McCain was forced to respond to adviser Charlie Black's remark that a terrorist attack in the United States would help the presumptive GOP nom in November. Here, per NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy, is McCain's comment.

Reporter Q: Your advisor, Charlie Black, told Fortune Magazine that a terrorist attack on US soil during the election season would be a big advantage for you. Is that a sentiment you agree with? Do you think he should have said something like that?

McCain: "I cannot imagine why he would say it. It's not true. I've worked tirelessly since 9/11 to prevent another attack on the United States of America. My record is very clear. The Armed Services Committee and the pieces of legislation, sponsoring with Joe Lieberman, on the 9/11 Commission, so we can find out the causes, and how to fix the challenges that we face. As to the security of this nation, I can't imagine it. And so if he said that, and I do not know the context, I strenously disagree. "

Barack Obama was in Albuquerque, NM, today wooing working women. He slammed GOP rival John McCain for opposing fair pay. Obama also lauded Hillary Clinton:

"I want my daughters to grow up in an America where they have opportunities that are even greater than their mother had, or their grandmothers, or their great grandmothers - an America where our daughters truly have the same opportunities as our sons.

"Standing here today, I know that we have drawn closer to making this America a reality because of the extraordinary woman who I shared a stage with so many times throughout this campaign - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. And in the months and years ahead, I look forward to working with her to make progress on the issues that matter to American women and to all American families - health care and education; support for working parents and an insistence on equality. Because I want Sasha and Malia to grow up in an America where both work and family are a part of the American Dream, and where that Dream is available to all."

During a Fresno, CA, town hall today, John McCain said his administration would award a $300M prize for the development of a battery package that has "the size, capacity, cost and power to leapfrog the commercially available plug-in hybrids or electric cars." He also promised a $5K tax credit to each individual who buys a zero-emissions car.

McCain's full prepared remarks available after the jump.

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton will join forces Friday at a “Unite for Change” rally in -- where else? -- Unity, NH. Both candidates received exactly 107 votes in the western New Hampshire town in the primary, according to Obama's campaign.

The State Society of Iowa is joining with several Hawkeye State universities to host an Iowa Disaster Relief event this evening in Washington.

Honorary hosts, include Gov. Chet Culver, Sen. Chuck Grassley, Sen. Tom Harkin, Rep. Tom Lathan, Rep. Leonard Boswell, Rep. Steve King, Rep. Bruce Braley and Rep. David Loebsack.

The event will be held on the rooftop of 101 Constitution Avenue, NW from 6 to 8 p.m. The suggested contribution per person is $20. All proceeds go to the relief effort.

Additional information available after the jump.

Updates from our Hotline Political Network Affiliates

The Sunday shows concentrated on Barack Obama changing his position on taking public financing and John McCain changing his position on offshore drilling.

CBS' Schieffer: "Well, summer is here. This is the season of flip-flops, but suddenly we're not talking about footwear, we're talking about politics" ("Face the Nation," 6/22).

BROKEN PROMISE OR BROKEN SYSTEM?

Reaction to Obama's decision to opt out of public financing:

Joe Biden and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) squared off on the issue on "Meet the Press."

Biden: "I've been a strong supporter of public financing my whole career. I'm the first guy to introduce a public financing bill to the United States Senate in 1973. And the purpose was to get big money out of the politics. The irony is, although [Obama] has changed his position -- I'm not going to color that, he's changed his position -- the fact of the matter is he has 1,400,000 contributors, the vast majority of whom contribute less than a hundred bucks a piece. So the effect of campaign financing is in place, but it's not campaign financing."

More after the jump, including Veepstakes and "Meet"'s interim replacement

(KATHERINE LEHR)

MTA board member/retired Wall Street exec Frank Powers (R), who was running for retiring Rep. Vito Fossella’s (R-NY 13) seat, has died, according to the Staten Island Advance. He was 67.

Powers Powers’ son, Brian, read the following statement: "Our dad, Frank Powers, passed away early this morning. As you can imagine, this is a very difficult time for our family. We would appreciate privacy at this time as we make the necessary arrangements. We shall have more information when the final arrangements have been made. We thank you for your kindness and cooperation and ask you to keep our dad and our family in your prayers."

In late-May, Powers was surprisingly endorsed for the seat by the Staten Island GOP after several other high-profile candidates announced they wouldn’t run for the seat. Powers was well-known to insiders as a financier of candidates, but to the party at-large, his selection was a complete surprise.

Physician Jamshad Wyne (R) is now the lone GOPer in the race, while Dems will see a contest between NYC Councilor Mike McMahon (D), the party endorsed candidate, and ’06 nominee Stephen Harrison (D).

(TIM SAHD)

Here are the scheduled guests for the Sunday public affairs shows and other weekend programs:

SUNDAY:

Meet the Press hosts Joe Biden, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and a roundtable with CNBC's John Harwood and NBC's Andrea Mitchell.

Face the Nation hosts McCain Victory chair Carly Fiorina, Bill Richardson and Politico's John Harris.

This Week hosts Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA), American Petroleum Institute Pres./CEO Red Cavaney, Columbia Univ. Earth Institute dir. Jeffrey Sachs, and a roundtable with Dem strategist Donna Brazile, ex-Bush strategist Matthew Dowd, ABC's Cokie Roberts and ABC's Sam Donaldson.

Fox News Sunday hosts ex-Senate Maj. Leader Tom Daschle (D) and ex-PA Gov. Tom Ridge (R). The "Power Player" is Earth Day Network pres. Kathleen Rogers.

Late Edition hosts Richardson, MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), Reps. Robert Wexler (D-FL) and Eric Cantor (R-VA), Obama economic adviser/ex-Labor Sec. Robert Reich, McCain economic adviser Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Pakistani journalist Ahmed Rashid, CNN's Peter Bergen, and a roundtable with CNN's Gloria Borger, Hotline's Amy Walter and CNN's Ed Henry.

See other weekend shows after the jump.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

Last night's TV coverage was dominated by Barack Obama's decision to reverse a long standing pledge and opt out of public financing.

FNC's Cameron: "Having shattered all fund-raising records, Barack Obama's announcement was widely expected. ... Because of Obama's decision to forgo public funds, [John] McCain, at one point today, said he would have to reevaluate his own financing. McCain has never been a particularly prolific fund raiser and the reevaluation didn't take very long.Campaign aides held a conference call this afternoon to say McCain will keep his word and accept public funds. Meaning for the first time in modern political history, the Republican presidential candidate will be vastly outspent by the Democrat" ("Special Report," 6/19).

Politico's Cummings: "I don't think that there was probably a long debate about this. There are many people who are working for Barack Obama today who were working for John Kerry in 2004. Kerry, like Barack Obama, was raising a whole lot of money, but went ahead and went into the system only to be outspent by the Republicans in the general. There are a lot of people inside Barack Obama's campaign that did not want to make that mistake again" ("NewsHour," PBS, 6/19).

Bill Bennett, on Obama saying the system is broken: "Was it not broken before? Did the system just break in the last two weeks or two months? No. I mean, what's the difference that's occurred in the last two months? They saw how much money they could raise. It was the money that turned his head, not principle" ("AC 360," CNN, 6/19).

Newsweek's Fineman: "It goes against the grain of what Obama has been arguing, except for the fact ... that this is a form of public financing, in the sense that, he does have a genuine grassroots movement and he is proposing a sort of Net-based alternative to collecting taxpayer money for public financing. It is a form of public financing in that sense, and I don't think that's an argument he should shy away from. ... So, I don't think of it as 180 degree reversal. I think of it as a recognition of reality and one he's been signaling for a long time" ("Countdown," MSNBC, 6/19).

After the jump, more Obama and Boehner on the war funding bill.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

Your Hotline On Call editor is en route to the Granite State to celebrate Mike Pride's retirement after 30 years as editor of the Concord Monitor. A one-of-a-kind journalist and mentor to many. Gruff, but loveable, Pride will continue to write for the paper. And more, of course.

Here's a snippet about Mike's plans, offered in a recent column titled, "Not Dead Yet" ...

"My writing year has been a transition into retirement - and I don't mind that word. I'll still be a writer, author and amateur historian, but I'll set my own pace and leave time to tend to other aspects of my life: to travel, canoe and hike, be a better husband and citizen, read more for pleasure, dig into archives, maybe even learn to cook. At least that's the plan."

I'll always be grateful to Mike and the good people at the Monitor. So light posts the next few days. I'll be enjoying an early summer weekend with friends in Concord.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

The 6/18 private memorial service for Tim Russert at the Kennedy Center was televised live on MSNBC. Here are some highlights from the "Remembrances":

Ex-"Nightly News" anchor Tom Brokaw, opening the service: "I want you to know at the outset that this is a celebration. And we're going to do it Irish style. There'll be some tears, some laughs, and the occasional truth. And as Tim would look out on this gathering, he would say, 'It's wild! Wild!' My family, my closest friends from near and far, the powerful, the ordinary, and the largest contingent of all in this room, those who think that they should be his successor on 'Meet the Press.'"

"Meet the Press" EP Betsy Fischer: "Almost every morning for the last 10 years, Tim would call at exactly 9:00 a.m. and say, 'Hey, Bets, what do you know?' ... What I wouldn't give for that phone call tomorrow morning. ... You'd say this is all part of life. We have to move forward, lean on each other, and cherish all the good times and live every day to its fullest. But, live it with honor and integrity, and always reach down to help someone else up. You'd say take these incredible lessons of life that I leave with each of you and live them as you remember me. And I believe every word because in the 17 years that I've had the great honor to work with you and learn from you, you have never once steered me wrong."

More after the jump.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

In an e-mail sent to supporters this a.m., Barack Obama announced via video message he's opting out of the public campaign finance system.

Muhammad Ali is visiting Barack Obama's Chitown offices right now ...

A quote from Tom Brokaw as he launches the memorial service for Tim Russert. Held this breezy and beautiful afternoon at the Kennedy Center in Washington. Broadcast live on MSNBC.

Barack Obama's campaign held three back-to-back conference calls today to discuss matters ranging from national security to offshore drilling to the gas tax holiday proposed by John McCain.

When put together, the calls lasted longer than almost any single town halls, policy speech, roundtables or retail stop the candidate makes on any given day. In each of them, Obama surrogates said the Arizona senator as a flip flopper who, increasingly in lock-step with George W. Bush, is taking politically expedient positions that hurt working families or the environment.

Barack Obama opened the first meeting of his national security advisory team by slamming President Bush and John McCain for adhering to a "rigid" foreign policy ideology. Here are his opening comments from the Wash Post's pool report, available in full after the jump:

"Let me just open up by thanking this group of distinguished Americans for joining me today. This is the first meeting of what we're calling a senior working group on national security that I will be consulting between now and the election. Every single individual here has provided extraordinary service to our nation, in the executive branch or in Congress, the 9/11 commission. Several have been advising my campaign fo some time. I'm also honored to be joined by those who were advising Sen. Clinton's campaign in the role of senior advisers. In the months to come we expect to be reaching out to others. Today we're going to have a wind-ranging discussion about the national security challenges facing the United States. We are fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; we continue to face great threats not only from terrorism but also nuclear proliferation, climate change and poverty, genocide and disease.

"Nearly all these threats have grown over the last 8 years because of the policies of George Bush, which I believe have left us less safe and less respected in the world. There's going to be a clear choice in this election: John McCain wants to continue the Bush-Cheney foreign policy. I want to turn the page.

"Instead of adhering to a rigid ideology, I want to get back to a pragamatic tradition of American foreign policy which has been so ably advanced by the people in this room."

MSNBC's Keith Olbermann, decidedly unplugged. The New Yorker profile. Featured in the June 23 issue.

New Quinnipiac University surveys of voters in FL, OH and PA show Barack Obama leading John McCain for the first time in each of the critical general election battlegrounds:

FL: Obama edges McCain, 47%- 43%;

OH: Obama tops McCain, 48%-42%;

PA: Obama leads McCain, 52%-40%.

Note also that Obama is leading the presumptive GOP nom among women:

FL: Obama edges McCain, 50%-40%;

OH: Obama tops McCain, 51%-39%;

PA: Obama leads McCain, 57%-34%.

So both of Hillary Clinton's key homestretch arguments against Obama seem to be disproved (at least for now) in the Quinnipiac poll. She argued, of course, that she would do better against McCain in each of the three battlegrounds, which HRC won (*save FL and its wacky primary mess) in the Dem nom contest. And women seem to be gravitating to Obama -- despite ill feelings among many that Clinton should've prevailed.

Meanwhile, interestingly, Independent voters in these three states do not want Obama to select Clinton as his veep:

FL: Inds oppose the selection of HRC, 46%-37%;

OH: Inds say no to HRC, 47%-31%;

PA: Inds turn down HRC, 49%-36%.

(JS)

ICYMI ... The New York Times reported this morning that Hillary Clinton will appear for the first time with Barack Obama at an Obama fundraiser to be held 6/26 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington. The event "is intended to encourage Mrs. Clinton’s contributors to become part of Mr. Obama’s financial team."

Barack Obama's team announced today a Senior Working Group on National Security. The team meets today in Washington and includes several vets of Bill Clinton's administration:

Secretary of State Madeleine Albright

Senator David Boren, former Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence

Secretary of State Warren Christopher

Greg Craig, former director of the State Department Office of Policy Planning

Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig

Representative Lee Hamilton, former Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee

Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder

Dr. Tony Lake, former National Security Advisor

Senator Sam Nunn, former Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee

Secretary of Defense William Perry

Dr. Susan Rice, former Assistant Secretary of State

Representative Tim Roemer, 9/11 Commissioner

Jim Steinberg, former Deputy National Security Advisor

There was a lot of talk on the TV last night about John McCain coming out in favor of offshore oil drilling.

FNC's Cameron: "Both candidates have shifted some of their energy views, but McCain's moving toward helping consumers more and [Barack] Obama is saying no. Since consumers can vote, Republicans think it's advantage McCain and Obama's digging himself a hole" ("Special Report," 6/17).

Newsweek's Fineman, on how McCain is going to spin his energy policy: "What he's going to do is he's going to try to turn energy into a security issue, as well as a meat-and-potatoes thing on gas tax holiday, on more drilling, on nuclear power, very, very specific things. ... He's got to play to his strength, which is security. And he's going to try to draw it all in" ("Countdown," MSNBC, 6/17).

CNN's Bash: "Left-leaning environmentalists call this change pandering. And it's unclear if it's really going to hurt McCain in Florida. But I spoke to several California Republicans today. And they said, you know, it was always a long shot for McCain there in California, but no longer. They say this move, this idea of lifting the federal moratorium for offshore drilling, makes it pretty much impossible for McCain in California, where they are very, very environmentally conscious" ("Situation Room," 6/17).

After the jump, Obama on terror suspects and Conrad goes on record.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

TAYLOR, MI – John McCain is out of touch with people who struggle to pay for college, Barack Obama told a small group of students today during a town hall at a community college outside Detroit.

Obama argued that the Arizona senator cares more about helping big business than helping students pay for higher education.

"I do not accept an America where you can’t achieve your potential because you can’t afford it; where 2 million qualified students will pass up college this decade because they can’t afford it,” he said.

"Now, this isn’t an issue that you hear Sen. McCain talk about that much," he added. "Because when it comes to education, Sen. McCain, I believe, is out of touch with the situation of many hardworking Americans. It’s not just that he doesn’t have a real plan to make college affordable; it’s that he’s voted time and time again to stop us from making college affordable. A couple of years ago, he even voted against funding for students so he could protect billions of dollars in corporate tax loopholes. Well, that’s not the kind of change that people of Michigan are looking for. That’s not the kind of change that will strengthen our middle class or make America more competitive.”

Obama explained his plan to offer a $4,000 tax credit to help students pay for college in return for public service and to require the federal government to provide all federal student loans.

The Democratic National Committee will file a complaint in U.S. District Court in Washington next week seeking to to compel the Federal Election Commission to investigate John McCain's decision to withdraw from the FEC's matching funds program, a move the DNC's legal folks believe violated campaign finance laws.

"In this case, Sen. McCain opted into the program, sought and received certification by the FEC to participate in the program, and then pulled out," DNC General Counsel Joe Sandler told reporters on a call this afternoon. "When a candidate enters the program, they enter a binding contract with the U.S. government, and only the FEC can let them out."

The DNC filed a complaint with the FEC in February requesting an investigation, but the commission doesn't have a quorum; four posts remain open on the six-member panel. The law indicates that if 120 days pass and the FEC doesn't issue a ruling, which in this case it can't, a party can file a complaint in District Court. The DNC already filed one complaint in U.S. District Court. Next week's marks the party's second attempt.

Sandler and the DNC are arguing that McCain shouldn't be released from the matching funds program because he used the funds as collateral for a loan. A candidate also can't be released if he or she has received matching funds.

McCain campaign officials have said the candidate made clear his intention to withdraw from the program.

The matching fund program levies a restriction -- $54M -- on how much a candidate can spend during the primary campaign, which extends until the convention. McCain has exceeded it.

Republican National Committee Chief Counsel Sean Cairncross said in a statement today that the DNC is filling a meritless lawsuit: “Having been thrown out of court just one month ago, the DNC now announces that it will once more file the same meritless lawsuit, again wasting judicial resources for its own political agenda. Once again, the DNC has neither the law nor the facts on their side.

"The controlling FEC regulation unequivocally states that the primary spending limits ‘shall not apply to a candidate who does not receive matching funds at any time during the matching funds period.’ (11 CFR § 9035.1(d)) No one claims the Campaign ever received a matching funds payment. To the contrary, it is a matter of public record that the U.S. Treasury never made any payments to the McCain campaign at any time during the primary. Notably, the controlling law is not mentioned in the DNC’s filings, or the fact that Sen. McCain’s voluntary withdrawal from the primary system followed the precedent set by previous Presidential candidates, including now-DNC Chair Howard Dean in the 2004 election.

“Unfortunately, the DNC’s attempt to mislead the press and public with meritless court filings is not unusual. We are confident that the district court will again throw out this frivolous court filing, and that the FEC will dismiss the DNC’s complaint.”

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Sources say that the line outside St. Albans School for the 2 p.m. wake for Tim Russert snakes down a portion of Wisconsin Ave. ...

With four new polls out in the last 24 hours, the general election appears in full swing. Three of the polls, all nat'l samples, show Barack Obama leading John McCain just beyond the margin of error. A fourth poll, NARAL Pro-Choice America's battleground survey, shows Obama with a statistically insignificant lead over McCain.

Today's ABC News/Washington Post survey of adults, which was taken 6/12-15, shows Obama leading McCain 48-42% -- down from Obama's 7% lead one month ago. Meanwhile, a new Cook Political Report/RT Strategies poll of RVs, also taken 6/12-15, shows Obama leading McCain 44-40%. Similarly, the latest Gallup tracking poll, which queried RVs between 6/13-15, shows Obama with a 4% lead, 46-42%.

For NARAL's latest battleground survey, Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (D) surveyed 1,000 RVs in 12 swing states: CO, FL, IA, MI, MO, NV, NH, NM, OH, PA, VA and WI. While Obama shows leads in national polls, he fares worse in these key battlegrounds. Obama bests McCain by just 2% overall, 47-45% with margin of error +/- 3%, and ties him 43-43% among Ind women.

(Hotline staff writer MATTHEW GOTTLIEB)

Barack Obama was in Detroit today for a meeting with local African American leaders. Full pool report is available after the jump.

SAN ANTONIO, TX – According to John McCain's top foreign policy advisor, Barack Obama equals President Clinton – at least when it comes to fighting terrorism.

On a conference call with reporters that took place this morning, Randy Scheunemann accused the presumptive Democratic nominee of offering a renewal of what he called the failed law enforcement methods offered by the Clinton administration in the 1990's.

"Senator Obama is a perfect manifestation of a Sept. 10th mindset," Scheunemann said.

He also said that Obama's anti-terrorism plans and his approval of the recent Supreme Court decision to offer Habeas Corpus rights to prisoners at Guantanamo indicate a "policy of delusion."

In a question posed towards the end of the call by Stephen Hayes of The Weekly Standard, the McCain campaign might have found a new talking point with which to emphasize the possible effect of the Gitmo decision. Hayes' asked if – in the campaign's interpretation – the Court's decision would mean that if Osama bin Laden was captured and imprisoned at Guantanamo, he too would be entitled to Habeas Corpus rights.

The McCain campaign's answer was yes.

"If Senator Obama did receive that 3 a.m. phone call," Scheunemann said in reference to Hillary Clinton's much-discussed television ad, "I guess his response would be to call the lawyers in the justice department."

(NBC/NJ's ADAM AIGNER-TREWORGY)

Updates from our Hotline Political Network Affiliates

A new Washington Post/ABC News poll out this morning -- the first of the general election -- shows Barack Obama leading John McCain, 48% to 42%. Obama's fav/unfav nos (63%/33%) are also stronger than McCain's (56%/39%).

What's On Your Mind?

The poll shows that the economy (33%) is the most important issue for voters as they choose a president. Other matters of concern: Iraq (19%), health care (8%), gas/oil prices/energy (6%) and terrorism/national security (4%).

Obama gets higher marks from voters when asked who they most trust to manage the economy, 52% to McCain's 36%. McCain narrowly edges Obama on international affairs (49% to 43%) and the Iraq war is a draw (47% for McCain to 46% for Obama).

Obama also shows well when voters are asked who they think can bring change to Washington, trouncing McCain, 60% to 26%.

Say It Ain't So

President Bush's approval rating has dipped since the May '08 Wash Post/ABC survey, to 29% from 31%. Meanwhile, 68% disapprove of the job Bush is doing. National sentiment about the president's leadership is, of course, a critical variable in the WH contest for McCain, and one he can do nothing to remedy.

The poll's right track/wrong track numbers also underscore Bush's dismal job approval numbers. Just 14% of those surveyed believe the country is moving in the right direction, and 84% said it's on the wrong track. That's the most dramatic split -- the highest wrong track number -- in the 15-year history of the survey.

Respondents (57%) also said that McCain would lead the country in the same direction as Bush, while 38% said he would lead America in a new direction.

She's Got A Way About Her

When asked whom Obama should select as his veep, voters overwhelmingly selected Hillary Clinton (46%). The closest runner up was John Edwards (8%), followed by Bill Richardson and Jim Webb, each at 2%. But voters also said that having HRC on the ticket wouldn't sway their decision to vote R or D: 23% said her selection would make them more likely to vote for the Dems, while 22% said they would be more likely to vote for the GOP.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

John McCain makes a play for enviros in a new ad running in unspecified battleground states and on national cable. The spot focuses on McCain's plan to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

The ad doesn't mention, however, that during a speech in Houston today McCain will call for the federal moratorium on offshore drilling to be lifted. News of his announcement brought wide criticism from green groups yesterday ...

League of Conservation Voters president Gene Karpinski:

“Just mentioning the words ‘renewable energy’ doesn’t hide the fact that Senator McCain is now embracing the outdated energy policies of the past. If Senator McCain is serious about ending our addiction to oil and helping working families with inefficient cars, why has he voted against or missed every fuel efficiency bill since 1990? Drilling in protected areas offshore won’t solve our energy needs in the short term and in the long term, will increase the threat of global warming. We need to break our addiction to oil — not look for another fix.”

Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club:

“The truth is that drilling our coasts will not solve our energy problems. Additionally, the federal moratorium exists because one state could jeopardize beaches in neighboring states with risky offshore drilling. An oil spill off the coast of Virginia would impact beaches, marine life, and tourism in New Jersey. More importantly, lifting the ban would do nothing to reduce gas prices for the average American family. It would take a decade to bring new leases into production and then they would only line the coffers of the oil industry, which raked in tens of billions of dollars in record profits last year.

“Oil companies are not even using the nearly 6,000 offshore leases they already own. Issuing new leases is just a license for them to destroy more of our public resources for their own profit, while doing nothing to help ease pain at the pump. Senator McCain has said that he supports fighting global warming and clean energy solutions—more off-shore drilling is antithetical to that approach. To protect consumers and get us on the path to a clean energy future, Senator McCain should instead support the Consumer-First Energy Bill currently in the Senate.”

Brent Blackwelder, Friends of the Earth Action president:

“If John McCain were looking for a way to prove he’s running for George Bush’s third term, he couldn’t do better than this. Maybe we should start calling him ‘Exxon John.’

“More drilling is not the answer to our energy crisis. Fortunately, Barack Obama is focusing on real solutions that are good for the planet and will ease pain at the pump. Obama is talking about fuel-efficient cars, expanded passenger rail, mass transit, and other clean ways of reducing demand for oil that can lighten the burden on Americans’ pocketbooks immediately. That’s the type of leadership we need.” (Friends of the Earth Action has endorsed Barack Obama.)

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

AFSCME and MoveOn.org will begin airing a new ad in OH, MI, WI, and nationally on CNN and MSNBC on 6/18, attacking John McCain on Iraq. The ad, obtained from Hotline sources, will run for a week at a cost of $543K.

Last night's TV primarily focused on Al Gore endorsing Barack Obama in Detroit, MI.

Karl Rove: "This is sort of weird that he would wait this long, and then why do it in Michigan? Why do it in Detroit, Michigan, and after he's written a book which has gotten him a lot of detractors in sort of the blue collar, United Autoworker community of Michigan. ... I could see doing it in a Florida or a Colorado ... or a New Mexico, but why go do it in Detroit, Michigan? It seems to me that eight years have not changed the tone deafness of Al Gore"" ("Hannity & Colmes," FNC, 6/16).

CNN's Crowley: "It may be late, but it's not too little" ("Election Center," 6/16).

Mother Jones' Corn: "It's obviously not a surprise. I don't think stumping with him is going to make a big difference for Obama. But one way it will help is, remember, John McCain is one of the few Republicans with any sort of resume when it comes to climate change and global warming. ... With Al Gore out there talking about Obama and obviously saying that Obama's policies are better, you know, it will really hurt John McCain if he tries to play even with Barack Obama on that very important issue" ("Verdict," MSNBC, 6/16).

After the jump, McCain's latest vetting problem and is HRC out of Veepstakes?

(KATHERINE LEHR)

Al Gore endorsed Barack Obama tonight in Detroit, saying that voters who care about the balance of the Supreme Court, the neglect of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and the safety of the nation's food supply, among other issues, know that elections matter.

Gore said that he, too, of course, knows that elections matter.

"America needs change more than ever," Gore said, reading from prepared text, a microphone in his hand.

Full text of Gore's remarks available after the jump.

(JS)

KS Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will present the keynote address at the 2008 OH Dem Party's "Family Reunion" State Dinner 6/21 at 5 p.m. Sebelius’ father, John Gilligan (D), was OH gov from ‘71 to ‘75.

Barack Obama campaign manager David Plouffe comments on John McCain's earlier remark that Obama should accept his offer to debate at weekly town hall meetings:

“Barack Obama offered to meet John McCain at five joint appearances between now and Election Day—the three traditional debates plus a joint town hall on the economy in July and an in-depth debate on foreign policy in August. That package of five engagements would have been the most of any Presidential campaign in the modern era—offering a broad range of formats—and representing a historic commitment to openness and transparency.

“It’s disappointing that Senator McCain and his campaign decided to decline this proposal. Apparently they would rather contrive a political issue than foster a genuine discussion about the future of our country.

“Senator Obama believes that the American people deserve an open and accessible debate as they choose between real change and four more years of failed Bush policies, and he welcomed McCain’s invitation to offer voters ‘the rare opportunity of witnessing candidates for the highest office in the land discuss civilly and extensively the great issues at stake in the election."

Al Gore will appear in Detroit tonight with Barack Obama. 8:30 p.m. Watch here. Gore's full letter to supporters available after the jump.

FLINT, MI – Barack Obama reiterated his commitment to withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq during a telephone conversation this morning with the country's foreign minister, he told reporters during a brief press conference on the tarmac here.

The presumptive Democratic nominee said he told Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari that he looked forward to seeing him in Baghdad. Obama also told reporters he wants to visit Afghanistan, saying the situation there continued to deteriorate, mentioning a prison break there this past weekend. He declined to specify when such trips would take place but said he would like to go before the election.

The men spoke about the progress U.S. troops have made in helping to reduce the violence in Iraq but Obama said he told Zebari that troop withdrawals must go forward.

"I emphasized to him how encouraged I was by the reductions in violence in Iraq, but also insisted that it is important for us to begin the process of withdrawing U.S. troops, making clear that we have no interest in permanent bases in Iraq," the senator said. "I gave him an assurance that should we be elected, an Obama administration will make sure that we continue with the progress that's been made in Iraq, that we won't act precipitously, but that we will move to end U.S. combat forces in Iraq in a manner that's as careful as we were careless getting in."

John McCain told reporters today that his team did not know of bundler Clayton Williams' 1990 comment about rape: "As long as it's inevitable, you might as well lie back and enjoy it," Williams said.

"My people were not aware of the statement that he made 16 or 18 years ago," McCain said during a press conference in Arlington. "I forget how long ago it was."

McCain said the event, which was to be held at Williams' Midland, Tx., home and brought in $300,000 for the GOPer's presidential campaign, will be rescheduled.

The Democrats, naturally, aren't satisfied. Democratic National Committee Communications Director Karen Finney released a statement this afternoon:

“Instead of doing the right thing by denouncing Clayton Williams’s widely known and deeply offensive comments about women, Senator McCain once again chose to put his political ambitions ahead of his principles. Williams’ shameful history was readily available to anyone willing to do a 30-second online search. McCain’s silence on these comments, his willingness to keep the money Clayton Williams steered to his campaign, and the fact that McCain plans to go back and hold this fundraiser when he hopes no one is watching are all part of the reason the American people are seeing through McCain’s image as a so-called ‘maverick.’”

On Call Aside: But here's the thing -- When the storyline of the 2008 campaign is written, will the narrative trail from ousted consultant to ousted fundraiser to ousted volunteer and back again? Sure, McCain should've been quick and clear in distancing himself from Williams once the story broke. A supporter's disgusting remark about rape should be denounced promptly and with firm conviction.

But from Samantha Power to Geraldine Ferraro to Mark Penn to Jim Johnson to Tom Loeffler, the 2008 contest has become a frenzy of finger-pointing at figures in the candidates' orbits. It's a peripheral conversation -- a game of "Gotcha" -- that does nothing to advance a substantive dialogue about the many matters of concern to American voters. There is, of course, a continuum to these individuals' offenses. I don't think anyone would equate Williams' remark with Power's, for example, but they're all part and parcel to a politics of distraction and smear that both parties -- and both remaining candidates -- seem not just willing but eager to push.

Do voters care about this stuff? And, if they do, just how hard will it be for either candidate to be seen as above “politics as usual?”

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

ARLINGTON -- John McCain today called for the federal moratorium on offshore drilling and oil exploration to be lifted. He said that states that want to permit drilling should have the ability to move forward.

Americans, McCain said during a press conference at his campaign headquarters, are enduring "very significant economic challenges and pain" due to the rising cost of gasoline.

"We must embark on a national mission to reduce dependence on foreign oil," McCain said.

McCain also reiterated his call for a gas tax holiday.

The Arizona senator pushed, too, for Barack Obama to accept his weekly town hall challenge between now and the party conventions. "If we're really going to change the dynamic in Washington and change how we do business, let's change the game," he said.

McCain also suggested the rivals face off before the National Council of La Raza this summer in California. They've agreed to speak separately to the group, McCain noted, so why not together?

During the Democratic primary contests, Obama performed poorly among Hispanic voters, a critical swing constituency that helped President Bush win the 2000 and 2004 contests.

McCain also hammered Obama for not visiting Iraq in nearly 900 days, and he suggested the presumptive Democratic nominee take a meeting with Gen. David Petraeus before continuing to advocate that the United States set a timeline for troop withdrawal. McCain said Obama "was wrong when he said the surge would not succeed." Obama's suggested timeline, McCain said, would lead to "chaos and genocide."

"I am convinced we are on the path to victory" in Iraq, McCain said today.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Barack Obama's campaign today announced several new hires and some internal rejiggering. Note especially that former Hillary Clinton campaign chief Patti Solis Doyle has signed on as, ahem, chief of staff to the vice presidential nominee. Whoever that might be.

Other headliners: Jen O'Malley Dillon, Iowa state director for John Edwards, and Stephanie Cutter, Sen. Ted Kennedy's spokeswoman who is also a vet of Sen. John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign.

Constituency Director: Brian Bond – formerly LGBT Outreach Director at the DNC

National Field Director: Jon Carson – formerly Obama for America Voter Contact Director

Senior Advisor to the Campaign and Chief of Staff to Michelle Obama: Stephanie Cutter

Industrial States Regional Director: Paul Diogardi – formerly Political Director for the Democratic Governor’s Association.

Battleground States Director: Jen O’Malley Dillon – formerly Iowa State Director for John Edwards for President

Chief of Staff to the Vice Presidential Nominee: Patti Solis Doyle

Latino Vote Director: Temo Figueroa – formerly Obama for America National Field Director

First Americans Vote Director: Wizipan Garriott

Northeast Regtional Director: Eureka Gilkey – formerly Obama for America Deputy Political Director

50-State Voter Registration Director: Jason Green – formerly Obama for America political and field staff

Campaign Chief of Staff: Jim Messina – formerly Chief of Staff to Sen. Max Baucus

LGBT Vote Director: Dave Noble – formerly of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

West Regional Director: Matt Rodriguez –.formerly Obama for America New Hampshire State Director

Senior Advisor: Michael Strautmanis

African American Vote Director: Rick Wade

Luke Russert this morning on "Today" shows a familiar poise, warmth and good humor ...

Updates from our Hotline Political Network Affiliates

The Hotline staff shares their thoughts and memories of Tim Russert.

Jordan Balkin: “I admired Tim Russert for asking the tough questions that most interviewers would not ask, and even though politicians knew they would face these questions they still went on Meet The Press and always enjoyed their time with him.”

Carrie Dindino: “Having just finished college, watching, ‘Meet The Press,’ was basically a required text. At first I grumbled at the idea of doing any work on a Sunday, but after weeks of sifting threw the news, “Meet the Press,” because refreshing reprieve from all the…well junk. Tim Russert always managed to ask the questions that needed be answered and followed up with questions showed he listened to the answers.

Rachelle Douillard-Proulx: “When my friend first told me, I refused to believe it – it never seemed possible. What struck me the most about him is that he seemed to be the type of guy who, no matter how famous he became, would talk to anyone and everyone. I feel like I’ve lost a Sunday morning friend.”

Ian Faerstein: “I always knew that Russert was a towering figure in the world of political journalism, but having never met him, I didn’t know what a genuinely nice guy he was. While watching the tributes to Russert this weekend, I was struck by how many of his colleagues clearly liked the guy. I think it says a lot about Russert’s character that so many of the people with whom he came into contact not only admired him professionally but also liked him personally.”

Matt Gottlieb: “What I loved best and will miss most is the soundtrack to my Sunday mornings – NBC’s trademark theme under the ever-booming “Our issues this Sunday…” That iconic tune, The Pulse Of Events, is the same music with which NBC News announces breaking news. It was present Friday afternoon when Tom Brokaw interrupted programming and conspicuously absent Sunday morning when Brokaw and others paid tribute. I imagine it will be back this Sunday and for NBC’s next special report, but it will forever only remind me of one voice and one person.”

Jared Keller: “Ever since I first began to take an interest in politics, there was an ideal type of figure I kept in my mind’s eye: intelligent, honest, and most importantly accessible. While Tim Russert was not just any man, he was also the everyman, someone who I could trust, admire, and to some extent relate to in a time where politics seems to be about the conflicts than their resolution. There was no pretension about him, no lofty principles or ulterior motives. He simply loved politics, and he taught me to love it too.”

Katherine Lehr: “Tim Russert made himself an irreplaceable fixture in the world of political journalism. Tuesday nights and Sunday mornings will never be the same.”

John Mercurio: “In the crude parlance of the Sunday talk-show world, reaction to Russert’s death has achieved a trifecta, of sorts: First, he was a good man, a loving father and husband. Second, he excelled so demonstrably in a job he undeniably adored. Third, he was too young to go. All so true. It seems like we’re about to take the best course on campus and the school’s most popular professor won’t be around to teach it to us.”

Nora McAlvanah: “Growing up my parents gave me an ultimatum: you can watch ‘Meet the Press’ or you can go to church. So, at 10 years old-- in an effort to avoid one religion-- I found one I loved much more: politics. Watching Tim Russert every Sunday was formative, almost paramount, in shaping the love of politics I have today.”

Quinn McCord: “I was always amazed by how many Senate candidates Tim Russert was able to lure in for his ‘Meet the Press’ debates. For most of these races, there were always good arguments why at least one candidate (usually the front-runner) had no reason to risk appearing at such a high-profile, national forum. Yet many of these candidates trouped in each cycle nonetheless, due in no small measure to Russert's fairness and the sterling reputation of ‘Meet the Press’ and its host.”

Sean J. Miller: “My wife and I watch ‘Meet The Press’ almost every Sunday and what always struck me is that I never saw a guest host. Russert was always there. Sunday morning won’t be the same without him.”

Holly Noe: “In Tim Russert, we've lost an inspiring journalist and an irreplaceable political mind. He transcended the cynicism that permeates this business, doing his job with an exemplary balance of enthusiasm and integrity.”

Maura O’Brien: “What I always admired most about Tim Russert was his ability to intensely challenge his guests and leave no question un-asked – while never being anything but professional, fair, good-natured, and respectful. He provided the best example that any young journalist could hope for when it came to both mastering his craft and bringing genuine joy and enthusiasm into his work.”

Dan O’Sullivan: “Tim Russert hosted the only show where politicians would go on knowing they’d get grilled. Actually grilled. If there’s anyone else out there who will have Russert’s ability to make public figures feel they had to go on a show where they’d be confronted with the full force of facts, they haven’t shown themselves.”

Kelly Pilchard: “I probably know more about his son Luke than I do about Tim Russert, and so to me he will be remembered more as “Luke’s dad, Mr. Russert.” In fact, the last commencement I attended at Saint Alban’s before leaving for boarding school was Luke’s in ’04 where Mr. Russert was the speaker. This year, at my own graduation, I remember being jealous of his wisdom and sound advice that day as I listened to our own invited speaker say little of true importance, rambling on about how more girls receive new breasts as graduation gifts than new cars. I can’t think what political life in DC will do without Luke’s father.”

Tim Sahd: “As a young kid in Pennsylvania, watching the down-to-earth and knowledgeable Tim Russert on Sundays made a career in politics seem reachable. He was loved by millions, and will be missed greatly.”

Nick Tabor: “Russert’s spirit imbued NBC when he was still alive; half their political reporters grew up under him, and those who didn’t still aspired to his level of professionalism. The network and its coverage are healthy for now, in no small part because of his influence. The question is whether they’ll be healthy – or if healthy, as influential – five years after he’s gone.”

Amy Walter: “I have the honor and pleasure of covering politics for a living. For this I have Tim Russert to thank. He made all of us look better and pushed us to work harder, smarter and fairer. He is a once-in-a-generation figure.”

The special edition of "Meet the Press" was dedicated to the life of Tim Russert. Hosted by Tom Brokaw, the panel of Russert's friends and colleagues included Dem strategist James Carville, GOP strategist Mary Matalin, MSNBC's Mike Barnicle, "Meet the Press" EP Betsy Fischer, Presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, PBS' Gwen Ifill and ex-NBC corr./CA First Lady Maria Shriver.

Brokaw, opening the show: "'Our issues this Sunday.' Tim Russert started every edition of 'Meet the Press' with those four words, and those were the words that he was preparing to record when he collapsed and died on Friday at these NBC studios in Washington. Now, his moderator's chair is empty, his voice has been stilled and our issue this sad Sunday morning is remembering and honoring our colleague and our friend with some of the men and women who worked with him and appeared here on 'Meet the Press,' who knew him best and loved him most."

Kearns Goodwin: "In this broadcast world, what these recordings will show people years from now is not just the questions he asked, not even just the answers he got, but which people were able to acknowledge errors, which people ruffled under his questions, which ones could share a laugh. You'll get the temperament of these people. They're going to come alive."

Shriver: "I think it's so poignant that we're talking about Tim on Father's Day, because he was a father to so many of us, the whole bureau there and all the young journalists."

After the jump, more Russert and Veepstakes.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

Barack Obama, speaking to reporters in Columbus, OH, about Tim Russert:

"We all I think have heard the news about Tim Russert. I've known Tim Russert since I first spoke at the convention in 2004. He's somebody who over time I came to consider not only a journalist but a friend. There wasn't a better interviewer in television not a more thoughtful analyst of our politics, and he was also one of the finest men I knew. Somebody who cared about America, cared about the issues, cared about family. I am grief-stricken with the loss, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I hope that even though Tim is irreplaceable, that the standard that he set in his professional life and his family life are standards that we all carry with us in our own lives."

Sen. John McCain today issued a statement on Tim Russert:

"I am very saddened by Tim Russert's sudden death. Cindy and I extend our thoughts and prayers to the Russert family as they cope with this shocking loss and remember the life and legacy of a loving father, husband and the preeminent political journalist of his generation. He was truly a great American who loved his family, his friends, his Buffalo Bills, and everything about politics and America. He was just a terrific guy. I was proud to call him a friend, and in the coming days, we will pay tribute to a life whose contributions to us all will long endure."

"NBC News is very saddened to report that Tim Russert has passed away suddenly after collapsing at work. Our thoughts are with his family and friends."

On Call Aside: The cause of death, previously reported as a heart attack, was removed from the report. It's still under investigation.

(Russert, with son, Luke, photo courtesy of The Washington Post)

Tom Brokaw just reported that Tim Russert, the longest running host of NBC's Meet the Press, died today after suffering a heart attack in the network's Washington bureau. He was 58.

"This news division will not be the same without his strong clear voice," Brokaw said. "He'll be missed as he was loved. Greatly."

Russert, the pre-eminent political reporter of his generation, was, above all, a product of his Irish Catholic Buffalo upbringing, Brokaw noted. He worked to the point of exhaustion. He spoke often of his father -- Big Russ -- about whom he'd written a New York Times best seller. And he rooted, unrelentingly, for his beloved Buffalo Bills.

"Tim was a true child of Buffalo and the blue collar roots of which he was raised," Brokaw said.

Brokaw said Russert returned last night from a trip to Italy with his wife, the journalist Maureen Orth, and his son, Luke, who graduated this spring from Boston College.

This year, Brokaw said, was one of the most important of Russert's life as he shepherded his colleagues through coverage of the 2008 presidential election.

Eyes watering, NBC News' Andrea Mitchell said: "The shockwaves cannot be fully expressed. Tim was our friend, our leader, our cheerleader, our teacher. My mentor."

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Drudge is reporting that NBC's Tim Russert died today after suffering an apparent heart attack. Developing.

PEMBERTON, NJ - News broke yesterday of the Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling on Gitmo detainees before John McCain's morning press conference.

"I haven't had a chance to read the opinion yet," he said then. "It obviously concerns me."

But after a reading and a night's sleep, McCain's concern went from a grumble to a roar.

"The United States Supreme Court yesterday rendered a decision which I think is one of the worst decisions in the history of this country," he said at the beginning of a town hall meeting at Burlington County College today. Later, during a press conference, McCain said that the ruling "opens up a whole new chapter in interpretation of our Constitution."

"We will regret very much in the days and months and years ahead this decision by the United States Supreme Court," he warned.

Barack Obama isn't Muslim. He's not hiding his birth certificate. And Michelle Obama didn't use the word "whitey" from the pulpit of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ.

That's the truth, according to www.fightthesmears.com, a new Web site launched by Obama's campaign to debunk all the rumors and innuendo swirling through cyberspace. A note at the bottom of the site notes that it's: "Powered by truth and supporters like you."

Barack Obama campaign manager David Plouffe issued this statement about John McCain’s "refusal" of Obama's joint appearances offer:

“Barack Obama offered to meet John McCain at five joint appearances between now and Election Day—the three traditional debates plus a joint town hall on the economy in July and an in-depth debate on foreign policy in August. That package of five engagements would have been the most of any Presidential campaign in the modern era—offering a broad range of formats—and representing a historic commitment to openness and transparency.

“It’s disappointing that Senator McCain and his campaign decided to decline this proposal. Apparently they would rather contrive a political issue than foster a genuine discussion about the future of our country.

“Senator Obama believes that the American people deserve an open and accessible debate as they choose between real change and four more years of failed Bush policies, and he welcomed McCain’s invitation to offer voters ‘the rare opportunity of witnessing candidates for the highest office in the land discuss civilly and extensively the great issues at stake in the election."

Here are the scheduled guests for the Sunday public affairs shows and other weekend programs:

SUNDAY:

Meet the Press hosts Joe Biden and Sen. Lindsey Graham, and a roundtable with Washington Post's Dan Balz and CNBC's John Harwood.

Face the Nation hosts LA Gov. Bobby Jindal (R), Newt Gingrich and Politico's Jim VandeHei.

This Week hosts John Edwards and a roundtable with ABC's Jake Tapper, ex-Pentagon spokesperson Torie Clarke, ex-Labor Sec. Robert Reich and George Will.

Fox News Sunday hosts Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), American Petroleum Institute pres./CEO Red Cavaney and Karl Rove. The "Power Player" is Earth Day Network pres. Kathleen Rogers.

Late Edition hosts House Min. Leader John Boehner (R-OH), AZ Gov. Janet Napolitano (D), Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), McCain sr. economic adviser Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Obama economic adviser Dan Tarullo, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, and a roundtable with CNN's Bill Schneider, Hotline's Amy Walter and CNN's Jessica Yellin.

See other weekend shows after the jump.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

John McCain's Communications Director Jill Hazelbaker released this statement today, accepting the joint town hall meeting format offered by Nancy Reagan, Lynda Johnson Robb and Luci Baines Johnson:

"We are proud to accept the invitation from Mrs. Ronald Reagan, Lynda Johnson Robb and Luci Baines Johnson to hold joint town hall meetings at the Ronald Reagan and Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Libraries. As Luci Baines Johnson said in her invitation, these meetings offer an opportunity to 'deliberate the great issues of our time.' The American people deserve a great debate about the future of our country, and we hope that Barack Obama will join us for these important events at these historic venues."

Rick Davis, meanwhile, writes to David Plouffe, urging Barack Obama to join the presumptive GOP nom for town halls every Thursday night until the Democratic convention. Full letter after the jump.

In this week's National Journal Political Insiders Poll, experts assess the candidates' swing state potential:

Barack Obama's pickup chances

Iowa, 71 percent
New Mexico, 44 percent
Colorado, 23 percent
Virginia, 23 percent
Ohio, 20 percent
Nevada, 7 percent
Florida, 3 percent
Missouri, 3 percent
North Carolina, 3 percent

John McCain's pickup chances

New Hampshire, 76 percent
Pennsylvania, 45 percent
Michigan, 42 percent
Wisconsin, 22 percent
Minnesota, 10 percent
Maine, 3 percent
New Jersey, 2 percent

Their biggest challenges after the jump.

A message from Ron Paul. After the jump.

Sent to reporters today ...

AUSTIN, TX and SIMI VALLEY, CA – Mrs. Ronald Reagan, Lynda Johnson Robb and Luci Baines Johnson have extended invitations to Senators John McCain and Barack Obama to speak at Town Hall meetings in July.

More details will be announced at a later date.

Updates from our Hotline Political Network Affiliates

The severe weather in the MidWest and SCOTUS' Gitmo decision dominated TV coverage last night. There was also some talk about Barack Obama launching FightTheSmears.com, a website designed to "debunk smears and false rumors."

CNBC's Harwood: "I don't think they have any choice but to respond. ... You remember John Kerry, initially in 2004, decided he wasn't going to escalate the Swift Boat thing. He was going to play it low key, hope it didn't have an impact. Not happening. That was not a good decision. And I think Barack Obama's decided to be very aggressive from the get-go. Smart thing to do" ("Race for the WH," MSNBC, 6/12).

Dem strategist Hilary Rosen: "I think it's an important part of what will clearly be the Obama strategy, which is not let any grass grow under any charge. I think the McCain campaign actually made a mistake this week, going after Jim Johnson ... because, first of all, the facts have now shown that Jim Johnson didn't get any favorable mortgage loans. ... They smeared a good guy for no reason. People in glass houses should not throw stones. ... I think we'll see rapid response and big aggression. I think John McCain will wish that they doesn't start the politics of personal destruction, because I don't think he'll win this" ("LKL," CNN, 6/12).

Laura Ingraham: "I think it's brilliant, and I think John McCain should take a lesson from this" ("O'Reilly Factor," FNC, 6/12).

And CNN's Blitzer announced Ron Paul, who was rumored to be suspending his WH camp last night (but did not), will be in the "Situation Room" tonight.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

At a Christian Science Monitor luncheon this p.m., NRSC chair John Ensign (R-NV) gave a sober assessment of his party's '08 prospects, saying "it would be fairly miraculous" for the GOP to retake the Senate majority.

He reiterated past statements that a 3 seat-loss would be a "great night" for Senate GOPers, but that they didn't want to slip below a 4-seat loss. Ensign warned that the GOP Senate minority would be the only "firewall" to "stopping bad legislation" if Barack Obama is elected president and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi enters '09 with a strengthened House majority.

Although the NRSC has trailed the DSCC in fundraising for most of the cycle, Ensign said that donors are starting to respond to such concerns, and he emphasized "union check-off" legislation as particularly calamitous if Senate GOPers lacked the numbers to filibuster.

Ensign conceded that the current enviroment is working against his party. He said he has warned his colleagues: "If you have an R in front of your name, you'd better run scared" this year. But he insisted that, historically, "We've never had two back-to-back nationalized elections."

Ensign, quizzed about individual Senate races, said that 9 of the 10 most vulnerable seats are held by GOPers. Somewhat surprisingly, he included ME and excluded MS from this list, although recent polls show MS to be much more competitive at the moment than ME.

Ensign said Obama's record will ultimately be a drag on the Dem ticket in southern states, although some observers expect the reverse to be the case if there is a surge in black voter turnout. He also said John McCain's candidacy could help GOP candidates in NH, CO, and NM, while allowing that Obama keeps OR a more competitive race than it might otherwise be.

Ensign acknowledged that the AK and MN races would remain competitive to the end, though jabbed at Dems: "We're very fortunate to have Al Franken," and "Begich has baggage." When asked if the GOP's candidate in SD would be able to make any headway by demanding debates with Sen. Tim Johnson (D), Ensign cautioned: "Anytime someone has health problems, you have to be careful," but that in the Senate "you are expected to be able to go out on the floor and debate. ... It's a legitimate (issue)."

Although not related to the '08 cycle, when discussing how nat'l enviroments can affect individual races, Ensign noted that while tracking his own race in '06, his numbers fell by 13 points the day after the Mark Foley scandal broke, even though "I had nothing to do with any of that!"

(QUINN MCCORD)

Headlines from the Diageo/The Hotline national survey of 806 registered voters released today:

-- Barack Obama leads John McCain, 44% to 42%, with 11% undecided;

-- Obama's fav/unfav: 57%/33%; McCain's is 52%/37%; and Hillary Clinton's is 48%/48%;

-- 51% said a generic Dem has the best chance in Nov., compared with 32% for a generic GOPer;

-- 49% said Obama will best implement the kind of change respondents seek, while 32% said the same of McCain;

-- Clinton as veep? 42% said she would mostly help, 28% said she would mostly hurt Obama;

-- Which candidate would best handle the economy? 43% said Obama, 37% said McCain;

-- The economy (33%) is the top issue facing the nation today, followed by gas prices (18%), the Iraq war (9%) and health care (3%);

-- 68% of Dems said they are satisfied with Obama as the nom, 30% are not satisfied;

-- 52% of GOPers said they are satisfied with McCain as the nom, 45% are not satisfied;

-- If Obama passes on Clinton as his veep, would you be more or less likely to vote for him? 11% said more likely, 12% said less likely, 74% said it makes no difference.

The survey, conducted June 5-8, has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points. Hotline subscribers can read more here.

(JS)

WASHINGTON -- It was a tough call to make no doubt, but Ellen Malcolm managed.

The Emily's List founder, a devout supporter of Hillary Clinton's campaign and frequent surrogate for the NY senator in her bid to win the White House, phoned Barack Obama Friday to say she would do whatever he needs to defeat John McCain.

Malcolm told supporters today at the group's annual donor luncheon at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Woodley Park that she was pleased Obama was receptive to her overture. Her speech, however, was heavy on praise for Clinton, saying she showed that a "woman has what it takes to be president of the Untied States." Every woman running for office from now on will walk a "smoother path" because of Clinton's fight, Malcolm added, noting that she's proud of the role Emily's List played in Clinton's "historic campaign."

"For Emily's List and for me personally, the choice was always clear," Malcolm said. "We wanted Hillary Clinton to be our president. For those of us who support Hillary, this is a challenging time. One of many emotions. Hillary was a magnificent candidate."

Still, Malcolm said the Democrats face a crucial contest this fall and that it's time for the party and Emily's List, which endorses progressive female candidates who support abortion rights, to move forward.

"I'm meandering my way through various stages of grief: sadness, bargaining, anger, and my personal favorite, dessert," Malcolm added. "So for the sake of my waistline, much less the sake of the party and the country, I will follow the lead of Hillary Clinton when I say, it is time to come together."

Malcolm said she made a pledge to Obama. "I told him I would do all I could to help unite our party to defeat John McCain and elect him president," she said.

And, in the wake of the Democrats' primary feud, she reminded her donors -- and her largely female supporters -- that there is a distinct difference between Obama and McCain on the issues that matter to the party, from universal health care to economic policies to strengthen the middle class to a timely withdrawal from Iraq.

"Our agenda stands in sharp contrast to John McCain and the Republican candidates across the country, and never forget it," Malcolm said.

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, also a Clinton supporter, headlined the event, which featured speeches from two African-American leaders: Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH), a Clinton backer, and incoming Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD), who supported Obama.

"Nothing warms my heart more than a truly bipartisan crowd," Albright said, prompting laughter.

On a more serious note, she added: "The other party would like nothing better than to divide us, and they would have us believe that the interests of African Americans and the interests of women are somehow in opposition. I can only wonder what Rep. Tubbs Jones and Donna Edwards think of that."

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

KAUKAUNA, WI – Barack Obama cast his Republican rival today as out of touch with middle class concerns and as a flip-flopper on tax cuts.

He also continued the line of attack his surrogates began in a conference call yesterday, criticizing John McCain for a remark he made on NBC's “Today” that it was more important to focus on reducing casualties in Iraq than on withdrawing troops.

The presumptive Democratic nominee is hoping to push back against the “tax and spend liberal” tag Republicans have successfully used to define Democrats in the past. He told the audience of about 2,500 packed into a high school gymnasium here that both he and McCain are in favor of tax cuts, but the package he proposes is better.

"No matter what he says, both of us favor tax cuts," Obama said. "The difference is that Sen. McCain wants to continue a Bush tax code that rewards wealth, and I want to reform our tax code so that it rewards work."

Obama cited, as his campaign did in a conference call this morning, a study that showed a typical middle-class family would get three times more relief from his tax cut than the one McCain has proposed and that the Republican's plan would only help the very rich.

"I want everybody to listen to this carefully, the tax cut that John McCain has proposed, nearly a quarter, nearly one-fourth of his tax cuts go to households making more than $2.8 million every year,” he said as murmurs of “Ohhh” and “Whoa” rippled through the crowd.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg told National Journal reporters at the Watergate this afternoon that he is not sure which presidential candidate will ultimately win his vote. He said he is, however, “enthusiastic” about Barack Obama and John McCain because they represent good choices for the country.

Bloomberg, who sat down for an interview with a group of NJ political reporters, said also that he is “not a candidate” for governor of New York. But, he added, “I’ve got enough of an ego to think I can do it."

As the homestretch of his second term as mayor approaches, Bloomberg said he's unsure what he will do once he leaves office, aside from his various philanthropic endeavors. He said he has selected his reading material, though. Already a regular National Journal subscriber, Bloomberg said he plans to rely on only one other magazine, The Economist, once he retires from public life.

(Hotline staff writer RACHELLE DOUILLARD-PROULX)

(Paolo Pellegrin, Magnum Photos)

The Corcoran Gallery of Art is hosting a new photo exhibit -- Access to Life -- chronicling the benefits of free antiretroviral medication for AIDS patients around the world. The project, a collaboration between Magnum Photos and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, documents the benefits of treatment for more than 30 individuals and their families in nine countries: India, Haiti, Mali, Peru, Russia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland and Vietnam. Magnum dispatched an international team of eight well-known photographers to tell these important stories.

On hand for the exhibit rollout last night in Washington were, among others: former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Sen. Pat Leahy (D-VT), Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) and world-reknowned musician Youssou N’Dour.

"It's a longterm struggle," Annan told a crowd of reporters, activists, photogs and more gathered last night at the A.W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington. "We should all stay in it."

The exhibit, an effective and deeply moving call for continued public funding to combat these diseases, will run from June 14 to July 20. Take an afternoon break from the mayhem of the political season to see it.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Updates from our Hotline Political Network Affiliates

On last night's "Situation Room," Dem strategist James Carville pushed for Al Gore to be Barack Obama's running mate.

Carville: "If I was Senator Obama I would say the biggest economic problem we face is the biggest national security problem and the biggest environmental problem. And if I were him, I would ask Al Gore to serve as his vice president, his energy czar, in his administration to reduce our consumption and reliance on foreign energy sources. That would send a signal to the world, to American people, to Congress, to everybody, that America's getting serious about this horrendous problem that we face. ... I'm not suggesting he's just any vice president. I'm suggesting that Senator Obama as president would give him a lot of authority to deal with our consumption of oil."

Bill Bennett, in response: "It's been said that the vice presidency isn't worth a bucket of -- you know the rest of the line. To do it twice, I don't know that someone would want to do it twice. ... He is a Nobel Prize winner, he's kind of the master of the warming universe. I'm not sure he wants to put himself in a subordinate role."

CNN's Blitzer, to Carville: "Some of our viewers, James, might be surprised you're recommending Al Gore as opposed to Hillary [Clinton]."

Carville: "I think the biggest national security problem we have is energy security and our dependence on this. And I think that my idea is that this is the way that Senator Obama could say, we're dead serious about this. Obviously, I would be delighted if he picked Senator Clinton. I'm trying to be provocative in one sense" (CNN, 6/11).

After the jump, McCain's controversial comments on Iraq and Johnson leaves Obama camp.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

The Republican National Committee isn't satisfied with Jim Johnson's resignation:

“If Barack Obama is concerned his campaign’s ties to special interests are distracting from his VP search and message, why is Eric Holder still on his search committee? Why is registered federal lobbyist Steve Farber leading the convention for Obama’s supposedly ‘lobbyist-free’ campaign? Obama’s hypocritical attacks show he can’t stand up to his own standard – and that he just isn’t ready to make change.” – Alex Conant, RNC Spokesman

Statement from Barack Obama:

“Jim did not want to distract in any way from the very important task of gathering information about my vice presidential nominee, so he has made a decision to step aside that I accept. We have a very good selection process underway, and I am confident that it will produce a number of highly qualified candidates for me to choose from in the weeks ahead. I remain grateful to Jim for his service and his efforts in this process."

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- During an afternoon conference call, surrogates for John McCain defended the Arizona senator against a chorus of Democratic criticiam about his comment this morning that an estimate of when troops may be withdrawn from Iraq is "not too important."

Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and John Thune (R-SD) said that the Democrats' furious circulation of the comment lacked both context and attention to the more important need for crafting a responsible strategy for ending the war.

Lieberman complained of "reflexive attacks," saying that opponents are engaged in "another partisan attempt to distort John McCain's words." Thune accused Democrats of "trying to blow this up as an issue because they don't want to talk about the success of the surge and the stability that's been delivered throughout Iraq." The South Dakota Republican called the Obama camp's objections a "deliberate distortion" and "a head fake."

"I think what people need to do is keep their eye on the ball," Thune said, "and that is success and victory in Iraq."

The campaign's representatives pointed to the entire exchange between McCain and NBC's Matt Lauer this morning, arguing that the full context makes obvious that McCain said that it is his own "estimate" for troop withdrawal that is "not too important," and that he places tantamount importance upon the lives and welfare of American troops.

Asked if McCain should be more wary of comments that could be parsed by the opposition, Lieberman defended his Senate colleague, saying that such fearful caution would go against McCain's very nature.

"The problem is if you start constructing your remarks to defend against people who will distort them, you're not going to be the straight talker that John McCain naturally is," Lieberman said. "And I think he was straight talking here."

(NBC/NJ's CARRIE DANN)

Jim Johnson resigned his position this afternoon on Barack Obama's veep search committee, Bloomberg reports. More to come ...

Pool report of John McCain's Tuesday evening finance events in NYC available after the jump.

Quick summary: First event -- 60 attendees, about 80 tix sold at $28,500 a pop ($2.28M total). Second event -- was for 40 "Trailblazers" -- those who raise $100K or more -- and "Innovators" -- those who raise $250K or more.

The Dems are pouncing on John McCain for his earlier remark -- offered in an interview with Matt Lauer on "Today" -- that it's "not too important" when troops come home from Iraq.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued this statement: "Senator McCain is wrong. One of the most important questions in this campaign is when and how Senator McCain would bring our troops home from Iraq. Senator McCain stubbornly refuses to acknowledge that the American people do not want our brave troops in Iraq for 100 years under any circumstances. They want a president who will end the war responsibly."

Sen. John Kerry and Susan Rice, Barack Obama's foreign policy adviser, held a conference call with reporters. Kerry called McCain's comment "out of touch and inconsistent” with the concerns of American families whose loved ones are serving in Iraq. Kerry, a Vietnam vet who has worked closely with McCain on POW/MIA issues, said he had a message for his friend: "It is important when they can come home. It is important when we can revitalize our military.”

CHICAGO – Barack Obama held a roundtable to discuss credit card debt and predatory lending Wednesday, an event he had planned to headline in neighboring Iowa but was forced to cancel due to flooding in the region.

Obama slammed John McCain for not offering more assistance for those struggling for helping people hit hard by the credit card debt. He said credit card companies had spent million lobbying Congress and contributing to political campaigns so that the laws written would benefit them, and he argued that McCain has been part of the problem.

"This has to stop," Obama told a small crowd gathered in a large room at the Illinois Institute of Technology. "We cannot let the rules of the game continue to be rigged against ordinary Americans. We need a President who will look out for the interests of hardworking families, not just big campaign donors and corporate allies."

A sign in today's Gallup tracking poll that Hillary Clinton's most reliable backers -- senior women -- are moving to Barack Obama:

What a mess of trouble John McCain's campaign is in this morning after the candidate told NBC's Matt Lauer that it's "not too important" to define when American troops will be withdrawn from Iraq.

"What's important is the casualties in Iraq," McCain said.

As Dems seize on the GOPer's comments, here's the McCain camp's spin:

"The Obama campaign is embarking on a false attack on John McCain to hide their own candidate's willingness to disregard facts on the ground in pursuit of withdrawal no matter what the costs. John McCain was asked if he had a 'better estimate' for a timeline for withdrawal," spokesman Tucker Bounds told NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann. "As John McCain has always said, that is not as important as conditions on the ground and the recommendations of commanders in the field. Any reasonable person who reads the full transcript would see this and reject the Obama campaign's attempt to manipulate, twist and distort the truth."

Readers: Does McCain's comment today reinforce his earlier 100-years remark about keeping troops in Iraq? That was one talking point Team McCain was likely thrilled to have finally battle back. Might today's statement renew that conversation?

John McCain visits the Granite State tomorrow, proving that NH might be small and cold and only boast four electoral votes, but it still matters.

NH went for George W. Bush in 2000 but turned blue in 2004, giving John Kerry a win. Since then both congressional seats have been won by Democrats, a Dem sits in the corner office at the State House, and female Dems serve as House speaker and Senate president.

McCain's team surely knows that despite the state's Dem power, Barack Obama has work to do to in NH, which handed Hillary Clinton a surprising victory in the January primary.

The AZ senator -- a two-time NH primary victor -- will speak at Daniel Webster College in Nashua.

(JS)

Citing the latest Gallup numbers showing that Barack Obama has gained support among women since rival Hillary Clinton exited the Democratic primary contest, Emily's List founder Ellen Malcolm told reporters this morning that when women voters learn the truth about John McCain's positions on abortion rights, the Iraq war and tax cuts for oil companies, they'll put their grieving for Clinton's campaign behind them.

"The McCain campaign has been barking in recent days about picking up Sen. Clinton's women voters," Malcolm said. "I think that idea is a pipe dream."

Malcolm, who co-chaired Clinton's campaign, was joined on the call by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Democratic pollster Anna Greenberg and James Kvaal, senior fellow, Center for American Progress Action Fund. The group seized on Obama's improvement with women since Clinton suspended her campaign last weekend -- he's gained 7 points and now has a 13-point advantage over McCain, according to Gallup -- to push for female unity behind the presumptive Democratic nominee.

Women turned out in greater numbers than men during the Democratic primary contests in most critical swing states, including PA, OH and TX. And Malcolm said that women swing voters -- think 'soccer moms' in 2000 turned 'security moms' in 2004 -- are the lynchpin of victory for Democrats in November. In 2004, Kerry lost the election because he only won women by 3 points, Greenberg said. Kerry lost non college educated white women -- Clinton's base this cycle -- by 19 points.

Schultz, a mother of three, said that "McCain is wrong on the issues that matter to women most." She noted his opposition to funding for universal pre-kindergarten and vote against legislation that would've mandated equal pay for equal work. She also said McCain has said that Roe v. Wade is "a flawed decision."

"There is a real fear that John McCain will be dangerous for women," Schultz said. "... We are here to really sound the alarm bell."

Abortion rights is a dicey issue for Democrats. While it helps energize the base, in swing districts, where white-working class, particularly Catholic, voters predominate, it's obviously less potent and possibly a detriment. Schultz and others said they don't anticipate that the party will temper its pro abortion rights language in the platform this year, despite this swing district challenge.

In recent days, meanwhile, McCain has made an open plea to disgruntled Clinton supporters who feel their candidate was treated unfairly during the heated primary contest. He has gone out of his way on the stump, and at fundraisers even, to praise Clinton.

Malcolm and Schultz said they're aware of a still-simmering bitterness among some Clinton supporters. But instead of directing their anger today at Obama's campaign, a move that would certainly run counter to the Democrats' best interests in the fall, they raged against the media.

"There is tremendous anger at the media and the sexism, the blatant sexism, that we saw on the airwaves and in print," Malcolm said, before adding, "I don't think that will transfer to Sen. Obama."

Still, Schultz said the polling indicates that women are sticking with the Democrats. "There's definitely a period of mourning that ardent Hillary Clinton supporters are going through," Schultz said. "I feel very confident that when (Obama) reaches out and makes that effort, and when more time passes, women are going to come home."

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Updates from our Hotline Political Network Affiliates

OH Gov. Ted Strickland (D) was on NPR's "All Things Considered" yesterday, and he was asked whether he is auditioning for the VP nod by helping Barack Obama's efforts to win OH.

Strickland: "Absolutely not. If drafted, I will not run; nominated, I will not accept; and if elected, I will not serve. So I don't know how more crystal clear I can be."

NPR's Michele Norris: "Don't they all say that, though?"

Strickland: "No, I don't think they all say that. I've heard people say, 'you know, if I was asked, it would certainly be something I would have to consider.' That does not mean that I am any less committed to helping Barack Obama become the next president" (NPR, 6/10).

After the jump, a wrap-up of Obama and McCain appearances.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

It’s been another snoozer in yet another competitive open seat primary tonight. With 57% of the vote counted, ’96 SEN nominee/ex-Common Cause pres. Chellie Pingree (D) defeated a field of six Dems in ME-01, taking 44%, and earning more votes than the second- and third- place finishers combined.

Fairfax Co. Board of Supervisors Chair Gerry Connolly (D) entered the Dem race to replace Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA 11) a frontrunner, and came out…the nominee. Despite a nasty campaign fought against ex-Rep. Leslie Byrne (D), Connolly won comfortably, taking 56% to Byrne’s 35%, with 59% of the vote counted. Two other minor candidates took the remainder of the vote.

Byrne’s hope in the race was a low-turnout affair that gave greater influence to what was thought to be her more-loyal supporters. Byrne was supported by EMILY’s List, and also by several more progressive-leaning blogs and activists. NJ’s Rich Cohen notes her loss was particularly bad news for EMILY’s List. He argues that to the extent the org has shown strength, “it's been their skill at turning out votes -- especially in this kind of suburban district that ought to be their strength.”

But turnout was dismally low. And in that kind of matchup, Connolly proved he wasn’t without his advantages. His high name ID earned from his years on the Fairfax Co. Board, and his support from much of the county establishment, gave him the edge.

New John McCain Spanish-language radio spot launched today in South Florida features former Cuban political prisoner Roberto Martin Perez. Perez says: "As someone who has survived the harsh conditions of the Vietnamese prisons, John McCain knows that freedom in Cuba won't be achieved with concessions to dictatorships."

Script available -- in English -- after the jump.

MCCAIN POOL REPORT
6/10/08
per Kate Zernike/NYT

Senator McCain's motorcade went from Newark Airport thru the Holland Tunnel and up the West Side Highway in heavy traffic, arriving at the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese just after 1 p.m.

The headquarters occupy a townhouse on E 79th Street, just off the Museum Mile on 5th Avenue. Inside, Senator McCain went up two ornate winding staircases to pose for photos with Archbishop Demetrios (he uses his first name only), who church officials say is the highest ranking orthodox prelate in the Western Hemisphere, the head of the Greek Orthodox church in this country. Church officials say it is the largest Orthodox Christian church in the country, with 1.5 million members.

Senator McCain and the archbishop met privately for about 25 minutes and then came down and appeared before the cameras. Senator McCain allowed one question, the archbishop joined in with a statement in response to the question. They declined further questions or comment. Question was about why McCain did not sign a letter last year regarding religious freedom in Turkey.

Senator Mccain: "I did discuss that with His Eminence and we will continue to have these discussions and obviously I am in favor of religious freedom all over the world, especially those places where there seems to be challenges to them. We'll continue our dialogue and discussions and will try to do what we can to see that all religions are protected and honored."

Senator McCain then thanked everyone for coming, at which point His Eminence asked permission to make a statement. He thanked the senator for coming and said he had been there a year ago and that he was happy to welcome him back now that he's the presumed Republican nominee. "It was a great honor and a great joy in the short time we had today." He said that Senator McCain -- not he -- had brought up the issue of religious freedom in Turkey. "He is very much interested in the religious freedom of the patriarchy."

They then went downstairs and stopped briefly in a small chapel on the first floor before McCain departed about 1:40.

Archbishop Demetrios has been in his role since Sept. 1999. The church has a presence in all states, but church officials say its membership is particularly concentrated in New York, Chicago, Boston, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida, Ohio, Michigan and California.

WASHINGTON, Democratic National Committee HQ -- Democratic Party leaders banded together today to announce their support for Barack Obama, attempting to heal the divide between supporters of Obama and Hillary Clinton and to put John McCain in the party's crosshairs.

"This is not just about Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton," DNC Chairman Howard Dean said this afternoon. "This is about our country. This is about undoing the incredible damage of eight years of Bush/McCain policies. ... I have every confidence that we will be united as a party by the fall election, and even before that."

In addition to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, several high profile Clinton supporters turned out for the pep rally-cum-party directive, including Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Others on hand: House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, Rep. Rahm Emanuel and Democratic Governors Association Chairman Joe Manchin, among others.

"We are all on the same team here, and people across this country -- men and women alike -- understand what is at stake in November," said Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), a former Clinton supporter.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), another Clinton backer, promised an Obama win in her home state in the fall. Stabenow said that women, who helped carry Clinton to key primary victories in NH and PA, among other states, might still be disappointed by the outcome of the Democratic contest but that they'll ultimately come around to Obama's cause. The balance of the Supreme Court is at stake, Stabenow noted. And women who want to see the United States withdraw troops from Iraq will be reminded of the difference in foreign policy views between the two general election candidates.

"We all worked hard," Stabenow said of the primary fight. "It takes a little while. You have to take a deep breath. ... People are going to rally behind Sen. Barack Obama."

Meanwhile, Pelosi, in a clear appeal to those working class voters who consistently voted for Clinton, said that the rich have gotten richer under President Bush while the middle class continues to feel the pinch at the pump. Home foreclosures and job losses, she said, have also contributed to a period of great financial strain for most Americans.

"Women and blue collar workers, whatever their race, have the most to gain by the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States, and the most to lose," Pelosi said.

Reid criticized McCain for lacking plans to deal with the gas crisis and ignoring the need for a renewable energy proposal.

"His temperament is wrong," Reid said of McCain. "He’s wrong on the war. He’s wrong on the economy."

The party's leaders stressed that the long primary contest has prompted a surge in Democratic voter registration, giving credibility to Dean's 50-state strategy, and providing the Democrats with an advantage going into the fall. Dean, the 2004 presidential candidate, acknowledged that "emotions have run high" during the primaries and caucuses and that there have been "bitter disagreements." But he praised Clinton for her leadership, remarking on the energy and passion she brought to the race, and calling the contest "transformational for Democrats."

He said the fight made the party stronger and better prepared to go after the GOP.

"Today we stand united as a Democratic Party focused on putting an end to the idea of a third Bush term, which we would get with John McCain," he added.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

CHICAGO -- Barack Obama is holding a private meeting this afternoon with religious leaders.

A spokeswoman for the IL senator said the gathering of 30 people will include representatives from several denominations including Evangelicals, Catholics, Protestant members of the faith community. Among those taking part are Bishop Phillip Cousin, the Rev. Stephen Thurston and Dr. T. Dewitt Smith.

"Reaching out to the faith community is a priority for Barack Obama and will be a priority under an Obama Administration," spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters traveling on the campaign plane. "This is one of several meetings he will have over the coming months with religious leaders."

"He's done it before," Psaki said. "He'll do it again. Some of those in attendance are supporters. It's a combination of people who are from Chicago and from outside Chicago."

(NBC/NJ's ATHENA JONES)

Sen. Barack Obama has canceled his Wednesday trip to Cedar Rapids, IA, due to floods. The campaign released a statement indicating that the decision was made in consultation with Gov. Chet Culver's staff.

ST. LOUIS, MO – Barack Obama downplayed questions today regarding vice presidential search committee member Jim Johnson, who received favorable loans from beleaguered mortgage lender Countrywide Financial, saying Johnson is an unpaid volunteer performing a discreet task and that he should not have to vet his vetters.

Obama also responded to a question about Eric Holder, another member of his VP search team who was involved in President Bill Clinton's controversial decision to pardon financier Marc Rich.

"This is a game that can be played," Obama said during a press conference. "Everybody who is tangentially related to our campaign I think is going to have a whole host of relationships. I would have to hire the vetter to vet the vetters. I mean at some point, you know, we just asked people to do their assignments. Jim Johnson has a very discrete task, as does Eric Holder, and that is simply to gather up information about potential vice presidential candidates. They're performing that job well, it's a volunteer, unpaid position. And they are giving me information, and then I will then exercise judgment in terms of who I want to select as a vice presidential candidate."

Obama noted he has not promised jobs to Johnson and Holder in a future administration and that their responsibilities in vetting potential veep candidates would take two months.

The Democratic nominee said his team is in discussions with John McCain's campaign regarding possible joint town halls and debates. McCain has challenged Obama to 10 town hall meetings.

"What we've said is we are happy to do more than the three typical presidential debates in the fall," Obama said. "If I'm not mistaken we've gone back with a counterproposal to them and are in communication with them right now and our hope is is that we will have those negotiations completed soon," he said.

To the National Federation of Independent Business in Washington this a.m. available after the jump.

WASHINGTON – In a counterpunch to Barack Obama's economic policy kickoff yesterday in North Carolina, John McCain told the National Small Business Summit that his rival's economic policies will hurt small businesses, thwart global trade and increase taxes.

Noting that tough economic times are prompting calls for change on both sides of the aisle, McCain asked, "The question is what kind of change? Will we enact the single largest tax increase since the Second World War as my opponent proposes, or will we keep taxes low for families and employers?"

In Raleigh yesterday, Obama compared McCain to President Bush, who ran as a fiscal conservative. "Instead, we got the most fiscally irresponsible administration in history," Obama said. "And now John McCain wants to give us another."

McCain today shot back saying that he would return the Republican party to spending discpline, but that Obama's policies would cause the kind of across-the-board tax hikes that stifle economic growth.

Updates from our Hotline Political Network Affiliates

Ex-WH press sec. Scott McClellan appeared on "Countdown" last night to talk about why he agreed to testify before the House Judiciary Cmte on 6/20.

McClellan: "The House Judiciary Committee reached out to me. They invited me to come testify. As I said before, I'm glad to share my views. And I told them I was glad to share what I know about the Valerie Plame leak episode."

McClellan, asked if he will tesitfy about topics outside of the Plame outing: "We'll see. The letter they sent said specifically about the Valerie Plame leak episode, and the potential concerns that there might have been a cover-up, I think is the way Chairman Conyers phrased it in a letter. If they get into other questions, we'll go from there" (MSNBC, 6/9).

House Judiciary Cmte member/Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), asked what the cmte hopes to get from McClellan: "To basically see what the depth of the deceit was in the Valerie Plame case and how high up it goes and how high up it went in this administration. There's a lot that we can learn about Scott's communications with Karl Rove, with the vice president, with Scooter Libby and the others, and it's going to be incredibly important for us to open up some of those big questions we've got."

After the jump, more Schultz and McCain compares Obama to Jimmy Carter.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

After a fundraiser and work day with a local nurse tomorrow in St. Louis, Barack Obama travels to Iowa for an event at John F. Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids. The Dem nom heads to Kaukauna, WI, Thursday ...

The Huffington Post's Sam Stein is reporting that former White House press secretary Scott McClellan will testifiy 5/20 before the House Judiciary Committee. Cue the circus. Think Valerie Plame, the rush to war in Iraq and possibly talk of the Bush administration's policy on torture.

Stein writes: "McClellan will be the highest-ranking Bush administration official to be pressed by Congress on the Plame affair. Former Bush strategist Karl Rove has refused to testify, citing executive privilege."

Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers extended the invite to McClellan.

The AFL-CIO launched today a weeklong 25-city rally at gas stations across the nation to protest record-high fuel prices, which reached a national average of $4 a gallon over the weekend, and to link President Bush and John McCain to Big Oil. The first event was today in Indianapolis. Federation activists will hit other swing states -- and target McCain during his scheduled visits to NH and NJ.

From the AFL-CIO's release: "Participants will call on Sen. John McCain and President Bush to denounce their support of Big Oil, which has reaped record profits at the expense of working people who are struggling to afford skyrocketing prices at the pump. Union members, holding signs that say “Bush & McCain Love Big Oil,” will also decry McCain’s corporate tax cut proposal that would give the five largest oil companies $3.8 billion in tax breaks."

The union plans to stage rallies in CT, CO, AZ, IN, KY, ME, MI, MN, MO, NM, NC, OH, PA and WI.

On Call Reminder: The AFL-CIO hasn't yet endorsed the presumptive Democratic nominee, Barack Obama. The group stayed neutral during the party's heated primary battle, with many members favoring John Edwards. So far no word yet about when the AFL-CIO's general board will vote to endorse. A two-thirds vote of the panel is required to endorse.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

This photo -- courtesy of NBC sound man Bo Weitz -- was taken today in the gift shop of the Omni Richmond Hotel in Richmond, VA, where John McCain's held his fundraiser.

The shop's Hillary Clinton merchandise is carefully arranged on a table, with a sign: "All Hillary Clinton Merchandise 75% Off."

Democratic Party leadership is holding a unity presser tomorrow afternoon at the DNC's HQ in Washington.

Participants: DNC Chairman Howard Dean, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, DGA Chairman Joe Manchin, Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin, DSCC Chairman Chuck Schumer, Majority Conference Secretary Patty Murray, Chair of Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee Debbie Stabenow, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Majority Whip James Clyburn, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel, House Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman John Larson, DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Xavier Becerra, Assistant to the Speaker.

Newly-minted Dem nom Barack Obama gained ground against John McCain in the latest Gallup tracking poll, leading the GOPer, 48% to 42% among registered voters nationwide. The margin of error in the survey, released today, is 2 percentage points.

John McCain stumping and raising cash today in Richmond joked about his method for vetting prospective veep candidates. Per pool press ...

"We're going through a process where you get a whole bunch of names, and ya ... Well, basically, it's a Google," McCain said. "You just, you know, what you can find out now on the Internet. It's remarkable, you know."

Text of Barack Obama's full NC speech about the economy available after the jump.

Here's a snippet on John McCain:

"When it comes to the economy, John McCain and I have a fundamentally different vision of where to take the country. Because for all his talk of independence, the centerpiece of his economic plan amounts to a full-throated endorsement of George Bush’s policies. He says we’ve made “great progress” in our economy these past eight years. He calls himself a fiscal conservative and on the campaign trail he’s passionate critic of government spending, and yet he has no problem spending hundreds of billions of dollars on tax breaks for big corporations and a permanent occupation of Iraq – policies that have left our children with a mountain of debt."

Senior economic advisers to Barack Obama's campaign -- Austan Goolsbee and Jason Furman -- previewed the candidate's Raleigh speech and upcoming economic tour, saying that the country's economic woes are the result of the Bush administration's failed policies.

"This slowdown is not a random business cycle event that just happened to the country," Goolsbee said. "It is very much the culmination of a failed philosophy conducted over the last eight years."

President Bush, Goolsbee said, has excessively cut taxes while not providing relief for middle-income Americans.

He presented broad-brush highlights of Obama's economic plan:

-- $50B stimulus package

-- $10B package to prevent foreclosures

-- tax relief for "ordinary Americans," specifically a $1,000 tax cut for those making $150K or less

Goolsbee said the tax cut is the "single largest line in budget."

"This combination of stimulus, housing and tax relief for the middle clas are really critical and what we need now," he added.

Obama's domestic program would not increase the deficit. His health care plan, Goolsbee said, would be paid for by repealing some of the Bush tax cuts for high income earners. Winding down the Iraq war, too, will provide money for programs at home.

Furman, a visiting scholar at NYU who recently signed on with the campaign, said John McCain "essentially has no stimulus plan." And he charged that McCain's proposals to provide tax breaks to corporations would put President Bush's efforts to shame. "John McCain's tax policy is far more radical," he said.

The duo said any charge by the GOP that Obama will raise taxes is bunk.

A reporter's question about the IL senator's NAFTA plans went unanswered. Furman told the reporter that he's new and didn't have a ready reply, and Goolsbee, who was hammered during the primary contest for telling the Canadians not to mind Obama's campaign trail calls for NAFTA reform, remained silent.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

RICHMOND, VA – You won't see it, but you'll hear about it.

Sen. John McCain is attending a fundraiser this afternoon at the Omni Richmond Hotel in the Virginia state capital city. It's the first of the senator's fundraisers open to the press. The campaign has come under fire for refusing to allow media coverage of the senator's receptions.

Media coverage is limited to print "poolers," representatives of the media who share their notes with the traveling press corps. Television cameras are not permitted in the room, but text of the Senator's remarks will be reported by the wire and newspaper reporters who attend.

The price tag on a seat at the Richmond luncheon starts at $1,000 for an individual ticket. For $2,300, attendees can pose for a photo with the candidate. Contributors above the $10,000 mark attended a smaller pre-party reception, and those who raise or contribute more than $25,000 are granted special recognition at the event.

NBC News reported Friday that McCain's campaign would start the practice of opening fundraisers, which the senator has been known to attend up to three times in a given day. A recent count by NBC showed that he has done over 80 such events since securing the nomination.

McCain told reporters in a press conference last month that the events were closed to press for the privacy of the attendees. He noted then, that, unlike Barack Obama – whose "bitter" controversy was spurred by comments at a closed fundraiser in San Francisco – his message is no different regardless of the presence of watching media eyes.

"I say the same thing in fundraisers and closed events as I do in open events," McCain said in Beverly Hills in May.

The senator's day in Richmond began with a quick stop at Shockoe Espresso & Roastery, where he and his wife greeted a small group of supporters. In true Southern summer form, bow ties were a key accessory of many of the gentlemen in the crowd.

(NBC/NJ's CARRIE DANN)

TPM has the story.

"Obama campaign manager David Plouffe is set to give a private presentation on the general election to a group of top Hillary fundraisers, in a session that is being described as an effort to bring the Clinton campaign's big-money people aboard, according to a top Obama fundraiser involved in the event and another person who was invited.

"The session, which is set for this Thursday afternoon in a midtown Manhattan law office, is the first formal effort to woo Hillary's top financial supporters, and sheds some light on how the Obama team plans to go about the delicate task of winning them over."

Campaign Money Watch, a non-profit campaign finance watchdog group, filed a complaint with the FEC today against John McCain. The group is also launching a television ad (above) on cable and broadcast in Washington, D.C., that focuses on the work McCain did to secure a defense contract for Airbus, a French company, over Boeing.

David Donnelly, director of Campaign Money Watch, said on a conference call with reporters that the complaint focuses payments made to Susan Nelson, formerly a lobbyist with The Loeffler Group, and more recently McCain's finance director. Donnelly said Nelson was paid $15K a month last year, as supplement to her regular salary, for work done on behalf of Airbus. Tom Loeffler, who stepped down recently as McCain's national finance co-chairman, also worked on the Airbus account.

Campaign Money Watch also includes in its complaint concerns about McCain campaign manager Rick Davis' work negotiating payment reductions for work done for the GOPer's campaign by 3eDC, Davis' firm. Any discount, Donnelly said today, amounts to a corporate contribution, which is illegal.

"This is not a trivial amount of money, and there are serious principles at stake," Donnelly said.

Donnelly wouldn't provide specifics about the ad buy, but said the group is considering running the spot in other markets, notably MO and WA. He said McCain once a crusader for campaign finance reform has "retreated" from such advocacy.

The Republican National Committee said in an email to reporters that Campaign Money Watch is a partisan group that "has accepted contributions from radicals like George Soros and has a connection to the Obama campaign."

"Campaign Money Watch is a Democrat-front group doing the Obama campaign’s dirty work," said RNC spokesman Danny Diaz. "Instead of launching fictitious and scurrilous attacks against John McCain, Obama should explain why the guy leading his vice presidential selection team got a sweetheart loan deal that any average American would never see."

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

A statement from Sen. Ted Kennedy's office:

“Senator Kennedy is returning to his home in Hyannis Port today. His doctors are pleased with his progress since surgery a week ago, and he will continue to recuperate at home before starting the next phase of his treatment. He is thankful for the extraordinary care of the doctors and nurses at Duke, and also for the continued prayers and well wishes from the people of Massachusetts and all over the country. In the interest of family privacy, there will not be regular updates regarding the Senator’s daily schedule or treatment plans moving forward.”

In his first full week as the presumptive Democratic Party nominee, Barack Obama launches a "Change That Works For You Tour" that will focus on the economy. It kicks off today in Raleigh, NC. Obama's campaign will hold a conference call in an hour with reporters to provide more details.

Note first these Obama promises to jumpstart the economy:

-- Provide an income tax cut of up to $1,000 for working families

-- Eliminate income taxes altogether for any retiree making less than $50,000 per year

-- Raise fuel efficiency standards

John McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds issued a statement stressing that age-old criticism of Dems, that Obama will be a typical tax and spend lib.

"While hardworking families are hurting and employers are vulnerable, Barack Obama has promised higher income taxes, Social Security taxes, capital gains taxes, dividend taxes, and tax hikes on job creating businesses," Bounds said. "In fact, during just three years in the U.S. Senate, Barack Obama has already voted 94 times for higher taxes. Barack Obama doesn't understand the American economy and that's change we just can't afford."

Obama's tour heads tonight to St. Louis for a fundraiser and an event -- TBD -- tomorrow.

Stay tuned.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

All of the Sunday shows discussed Hillary Clinton's concession speech in DC on 6/7.

NBC's Mitchell, asked what happened between 6/3 and 6/7: "Charlie Rangel. Pressure from her own biggest supporters. It was Charlie Rangel who first catapulted her into contention for the Senate. ... I think [the speech] was a perfect coming together of everything she needed to do" ("Meet the Press," 6/8).

Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY): "More than pleased. And I may feel awkward that I was a little impatient in terms of her not endorsing on the night that we knew that [Barack] Obama was the nominee, but in afterthought, and seeing how great that speech was, I don't know whether emotionally she would have been prepared to have given such an exciting, overwhelming speech, which I think will go down in history as one of the best political speeches we've had" ("Face the Nation," CBS, 6/8).

Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA): "I think Senator Clinton helped our party take a substantial step forward to unity. ... I think it showed what we've known about her for years, her leadership skills, her ability to focus on the objective here which is a very simple choice -- whether or not America will change course or whether or not we'll stay on the same path" ("Late Edition," CNN, 6/8).

Clinton comm. dir. Howard Wolfson: "I think people have seen her in a different way throughout this campaign. I think there's been an evolution. ... We don't have to relive it, but, you know, she ended up winning more states and more primaries and more votes over the last four months. So she closed extremely well. And I think you saw that yesterday when she gave a really magnificent speech and a very full-throated, hearty endorsement of Senator Obama" ("Face the Nation," CBS, 6/8).

After the jump, HRC supporters up for grabs, general election strategizing and Feinstein opens up about secret meeting.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

Updates from our Hotline Political Network Affiliates

The Hotline's Chris Bodenner talked with several HRC die-hards at the Nat'l Building Museum yesterday. Here are some of their thoughts:

In her classy concession speech, Hillary Clinton spoke of reconciliation and regrouping against GOPers. But beneath the calls for Dem unity lingered a roiling resentment among Clinton's die-hard supporters, many of whom felt she had been cheated out of the WH nom by a sexist media, a conspiratorial Dem leadership, and a complicit Barack Obama.

Statement released by Sen. Barack Obama following Hillary Clinton's speech:

"Obviously, I am thrilled and honored to have Senator Clinton's support. But more than that, I honor her today for the valiant and historic campaign she has run. She shattered barriers on behalf of my daughters and women everywhere, who now know that there are no limits to their dreams. And she inspired millions with her strength, courage and unyielding commitment to the cause of working Americans. Our party and our country are stronger because of the work she has done throughout her life, and I'm a better candidate for having had the privilege of competing with her in this campaign. No one knows better than Senator Clinton how desperately America and the American people need change, and I know she will continue to be in the forefront of that battle this fall and for years to come."

Hillary Clinton breezed through a classy speech this afternoon about the importance of electing a Democratic president to the White House in November. Though she endorsed Barack Obama for a resounding chorus of reasons, the boom of boos that echoed in this historic hall at almost every mention of his name illustrated the depth of the divide in the party.

Still, she made her point. And in so doing, attempted to make peace with her detractors, with a party leadership scrambling to rebound after a bruising primary and, perhaps most notably, with her own fate:

"Today, I am standing with Sen. Obama to say, 'Yes we can,'" she intoned.

More: "I will work my heart out to make sure that Sen. Obama is our next president, and I hope and pray that you will join me in that …"

"Every moment wasted looking back keeps us from moving forward," she said.

And, "Life is too short, time is too precious and the stakes are too high to dwell on what might have been."

Clinton spent as much time talking about her priorities -- health care, in particular -- as she did pitching for Obama. She mentioned the Suffragettes and Seneca Falls. Abolitionists, too. Translation, in case the point was elusive ... She is the latest in a long line of scrappy trailblazers, of people who were counted out and held back, but stood up for their beliefs.

So, what does Hillary want? The answer is no clearer after her speech. Terry McAuliffe, doing live TV interviews after the event with his trademark boisterousness, could be overheard suggesting she'll take a vacation with her family and then return to the Senate.

But there was this line in Clinton's speech, that signaled more:

"Although we weren’t able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it’s got about 18 million cracks in it," she said. "And the light is shining through like never before, filling us all with the hope and the sure knowledge that the path will be a little easier next time. That has always been the history of progress in America."

A progress that could always -- even in the unlikeliest of circumstances -- be championed by the New York senator. Should she choose again to take the journey.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Full remarks after the jump.

Posing for pics ...

Hillary Clinton endorses Barack Obama emphatically ...

"The way to continue our fight now, to accomplish the goals for which we stand is to take our energy, our passion and our strength and do everything we can to help elect Barack Obama the next president," she said.

But Clinton is interrupted with loud applause and some deep and undeniable booing.

"As I suspend my campaign I congratulate him on the victory he has won ... I endorse him and throw my whole support behind him. ... And I ask all of you to join me in working as hard for Barack Obama as you have for me."

Clinton said that she has served in the Senate with Obama, that she has gone "toe-to-toe" with him in 22 debates. "I have seen his strength and determination, his grace and his grit," she said, noting that Obama has lived the American dream.

"This has been a tough fight, but the Democratic Party is a family," she added.

And this: "We might have started on separate journeys, but today our paths have merged."

(JS)

Hillary Clinton:

"My commitment to you and to the progress we seek is unyielding."

More: "You have humbled me with your commitment to our country."

And this affirmation of the impact of her campaign, noting all the many people who backed her: "18M of you from all walks of life," she said, prompting big applause, "women and men, young and old, Latino and Asian, African American and Caucasian ... gay and straight ... I will continue to stand strong with you, every time, every place, in every way that I can. The dreams that we share are worth fighting for."

(JS)

She enters to the Goo Goo Dolls ... "Tonight's the night the world begins again."

Big, loud applause echoing throughout the hall. Bill and Chelsea Clinton and Dorothy Rodham joined the New York senator on stage.

"This isn't exactly the party I'd planned, but I sure like the company," HRC said. "I want to start today by saying how grateful I am to all of you."

(JS)

The inevitable Republican National Committee Web site ... Hillary Clinton doing the GOP's dirty work. Launched this morning.

Tardy is the headline.

HRC just left Whitehaven, reports NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann.

She's riding in a silver Chevy Suburban. Tinted windows. She did not wave and was barely visible through the dark glass. ...

At the National Building Museum, Tom Petty's being pumped into the cavernous hall.

Hillary Clinton spokesman extraordinaire Mo Elleithee says Clinton will give a 20-minute speech. She will announce that she is suspending her campaign. She will say she supports Barack Obama, and she will urge all 18 million of her backers and more to do so as well. She'll stress the importance of electing a Democrat in the fall and unifying as a party, reports NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli.

At noon, the start time for her speech, Hillary Clinton is still at her Whitehaven home. Secret Service has pulled a Suburban around to the back of the house - behind a closed gate - to load her in. There are three tv cameras, a few stills and a handful of curious passerby awaiting her departure.

Other folks spotted in and around the house this morning are two of Bill Clinton's aides and reportedly HRC's brother and sister in-law.

Departure appears imminent.

(NBC/NJ's CARRIE DANN)

At the National Building Museum in Washington for Hillary Clinton to begin her concession speech. It's pretty packed. Admirers parked in the balconies and in front of and behind the podium.

The music? ... "We are family. I've got all my sisters with me ... "

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

David Plouffe, Barack Obama's campaign manager, uses the RNC's fundraising prowess today to make a general election plea to supporters for cash. Plouffe says the campaign is hoping to attract 10K new donors. He notes, too, that every gift of $25 will be matched by a previous donor who has agreed to give again.

Here's a snippet:

In the excitement of the past few days, there's some news you may have missed.

We need to respond quickly and show that we are ready to take on Senator McCain in the general election.

Full letter after the jump.

WASHINGTON -- Looking relaxed, Hillary Clinton campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe told reporters gathered outside the candidate's home today that the entire staff is looking to "take some time, relax, and do everything we can to help Barack Obama."

"It was a great campaign, 17 months, everybody worked their hearts out," he said. "Talk about her breaking the glass ceiling, and I think she shattered it. She got in, she got more than 18 million votes, she won a lot of important states. I think I speak for all the staff here, they're very proud. It was an exciting campaign. It was very close, but now we do everything we can to help Barack Obama become the next president, because it's about the issues."

McAuliffe said Clinton's mood is "great." Asked if she'd soon do a campaign swing for Obama, he said she would "do anything."

"She has made that clear, she will do anything she can to help Barack Obama," he said. "If he wants her to travel every day she'll do that."

McAuliffe did not provide much insight into what Clinton would say tomorrow, noting only that she would get people "pumped up."

As for McAuliffe himself? "Disneyland," he said, with his five children.

(NBC/NJ's MIKE MEMOLI)

WASHINGTON -- They've just turned up the music in the backyard of Hillary Clinton's Whitehaven home. We've seen familiar faces come through in the last 15 minutes, mostly the press advance. A handful of young staffers are also making their way into the Clintons' house for a staff party.

Bill and Chelsea Clinton have joined Hillary, who we are told is dressed casually and already mingling with her guests. Bill will be heading out early, though, to speak at the City Year Convention in Boston tonight. And Chelsea also will depart a bit later to speak at a Texas State Democratic Convention. Both should be back tomorrow for the New York senator's formal concession.

The stakeout press is trying to keep cool and hydrated outside. It almost feels like covering the arrivals at an award show, without the red carpet and celebrities.

Developing...

(NBC/NJ's MIKE MEMOLI)

Even as John McCain has told his campaign staffers that they must not do any lobbying, his fundraising arm is maintaining ties to a lobbyist.

McCain Victory '08, the joint fundraising effort of the Republican National Committee and the McCain campaign, has named well-known Florida lobbyist Brian Ballard to chair fundraising efforts in the battleground state. Ballard is a partner in the Tallahassee lobbying firm of Smith & Ballard, which billed $8 million in fees in 2007, according to the St. Petersburg Times. The firm represents the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team as well as cities, counties, hospitals, insurers, utilities, and drugmakers, according to the paper.

Ballard has been a key fundraiser for Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, who helped deliver Florida to McCain in the GOP primary. Crist is being mentioned as a possible running mate for McCain in November.

(National Journal's BARA VAIDA)

(photo courtesy of Meryl Levin, Manchester, NH)

Hillary Clinton will officially suspend her campaign at noon tomorrow during an event at the National Building Museum in Washington. Barack Obama is scheduled to be in Chicago this weekend but without a public schedule.

Here are the scheduled guests for the Sunday public affairs shows and other weekend programs:

SUNDAY:

Meet the Press hosts NBC's Ron Allen, Lee Cowan, David Gregory, Andrea Mitchell, Kelly O'Donnell and Chuck Todd (Note: Program will air at 8 a.m. ET due to NBC's coverage of the French Open).

Face the Nation hosts Clinton comm. dir. Howard Wolfson, Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) and Politico's Roger Simon.

This Week hosts Sens. John Kerry (D-MA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and a roundtable with ABC's Claire Shipman, Time's Jay Carney, George Will and Washington Post's Jonathan Capehart.

Fox News Sunday hosts Govs. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Tim Pawlenty (R-MN).

Late Edition hosts Sens. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Bob Casey (D-PA), Pakistani Amb. to U.S. Husain Haqqani, Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC), Wolfson, and a roundtable with CNN's Gloria Borger, Ed Henry and Candy Crowley.

See other weekend shows after the jump.

That the Hillary Clinton/Barack Obama tête-à-tête went a little something like this ...

Or at least the Republican National Committee's version of the Illinois senator. The RNC launched a new Web site today -- MeetBarackObama.com -- that includes a clock that ticks off the days, hours, minutes and seconds since Obama visited Iraq.

New John McCain TV spot released to day will drop in unnamed "battleground states." Stresses those national security creds and Vietnam service.

Script after the jump.

Updates from our Hotline Political Network Affiliates

Last night it was reported Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were sitting down together.

FNC's Van Susteren: "Democratic sources tell Fox News Channel they are meeting at Senator Dianne Feinstein's home" ("On the Record," 6/5).

CNN's Crowley: "We do know that the meeting either is still taking place or has taken place. ... It is a step in the process of trying to bring the Democratic Party together. Both of them understand that that is something that they needed to do. ... Obama was supposed to fly home here from Virginia, because he was here campaigning and looking forward to the general campaign. But hard to do that general campaign until he and Hillary Clinton come to a meeting of the minds" ("AC 360," 6/5).

FNC's Garrett: "The agenda of that meeting -- it's a bit opaque" ("On the Record," 6/5).

After the jump, VP talk and presumptive nominee appearances.

Per Barack Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs:

Obama has stayed behind in Washington as the traveling press is about to take off from Dulles for Chicago without him. Gibbs said the senator is not scheduled to be back in Washington for a while so his team scheduled a "couple of meetings" for him. Obama is expected to fly back to Chicago later this evening for a down weekend with his family.

When asked if Obama is meeting with Hillary Clinton, Gibbs said he wouldn't discuss the specifics of his stay. The press waited for the candidate on the plane for more than 45 minutes before it became apparent that Obama wasn't coming.

(NBC/NJ's ADAM AIGNER-TREWORGY)

From NBC News:

WASHINGTON - Hillary Rodham Clinton met late Thursday with Barack Obama, a day after saying she would end her quest for the Democratic nomination and endorse the Illinois senator.

A senior Obama campaign official confirmed to NBC News that Obama delayed his departure from Washington Thursday night to meet with Clinton at her home here.

Barack Obama told his traveling press today that he would welcome former President Clinton's help on the campaign trail. Per NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy, who was on the plane with Obama this afternoon:

Q: A lot of people would describe Bill Clinton as a liability. Do you anticipate being able to mend fences with him and use him during the general election?

A: Yes, and yes. I think Bill Clinton is an enormous talent, and I would
welcome him campaigning for me.

Since the Democratic nomination contest was sorted out this week, the Republican National Committee has drafted Hillary Clinton as its foremost spokeswoman. Not unexpected, but still very effective, the party is using Clinton's words against the presumptive Democratic nom, Barack Obama.

Here are this week's examples, and expect another shot at Obama, courtesy of HRC and the RNC, in the next day or so:

ONE

The first online spot, posted on You Tube Tuesday, features footage of Clinton noting that Obama doesn't pass the commander-in-chief test. Clinton said John McCain, on the other hand, would do just fine.

TWO

The second, Democrats vs. Obama, features HRC, Bill Clinton and John Edwards questioning Obama's readiness to lead. RNC released this Web spot Wednesday.

THREE

And then this, blitzed today to reporters, offers a quick clip of Clinton pondering Obama's relationship with Tony Rezko.

Readers, how damaging is this Dem-on-Dem action? Will Obama be able in the general to dismiss Clinton's comments as tough primary talk? What will Clinton have to do to help clean up this mess? And will she be willing to oblige, should Obama opt not to run with her?

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

The Hillary Clinton camp issued a statement this afternoon to answer any and all veep inquiries:

"While Senator Clinton has made clear throughout this process that she will do whatever she can to elect a Democrat to the White House, she is not seeking the vice presidency, and no one speaks for her but her. The choice here is Senator Obama’s and his alone."

The latest National Journal Insiders Poll asks Dems and GOPers if "it’s been proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the Earth is warming because of man-made pollution."

-- 95% of Dems answered yes, compared with 26% of Republicans.

Insiders of both parties agreed, however, on the most urgent issue facing the next president and Congress: the economy.

-- 59% of GOPers said the economy is at the top of the nation's priority list, while 44% of Dems said the same. But global warming was the second-most pressing matter, according to Dems, while energy took the second spot for Republicans. Give the poll, conducted by NJ's masterful Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell, a good read.

Click here for more.

Doesn't this:

Look a little like this:

??

(JS)

A party statement:

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean and the Obama for America Campaign today announced that the DNC will no longer accept Washington lobbyist donations, making the same commitment as Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president.

"The DNC and the Obama Campaign are unified and working together to elect Barack Obama as the next president of the United States. Our presumptive nominee has pledged not to take donations from Washington lobbyists and from today going forward the DNC makes that pledge as well," Dean said. "Senator Obama has promised to change the way things are done in Washington and this step is a sure sign of his commitment. The American people's priorities will set the agenda in an Obama Administration, not the special interests."

Per a statement from the Republican National Committee ... Chairman Robert M. Duncan today announced that U.S. Sen. Richard Burr will serve as Co-Chairman of the 2008 Republican Platform Committee. Burr will join Platform Committee Chairman U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (CA-22) in helping to outline the Party’s key positions and core values.

“Richard Burr is an exemplary leader in the U.S. Senate, and he will be a great asset to the 2008 Platform Committee,” Duncan said. “As Republicans continue to work together to elect John McCain this fall, I am confident this team will help develop a forward-looking platform that is grounded in our Party’s core values of fiscal responsibility, national security, and individual responsibility.”

"It's why people in Israel are very concerned about Barack Obama." -- Mitt Romney today on CNN slamming Barack Obama for his willingness to meet with leaders of rogue nations.

Romney also discounted Obama's clarification yesterday before the AIPAC convention in Washington that he would only engage in diplomatic talks with nations -- such as Iran -- if there is clear progress to be made.

"Diplomatic channels are always open between nations of the world," Romney said. "But the President doesn't grace the world's worst tyrants with a propaganda bonanza."

John McCain's campaign circulated a clip of the exchange this a.m.

A letter to supporters from Hillary Rodham Clinton:

I wanted you to be one of the first to know: on Saturday, I will hold an event in Washington D.C. to thank everyone who has supported my campaign. Over the course of the last 16 months, I have been privileged and touched to witness the incredible dedication and sacrifice of so many people working for our campaign. Every minute you put into helping us win, every dollar you gave to keep up the fight meant more to me than I can ever possibly tell you.