The New York Times looks at how the Clinton team is negotiating for debt retirement, a role at the convention, and how to settle things between Obama and Bill Clinton. "On some levels, the melding of the two operations is moving ahead relatively smoothly. Mrs. Clinton will introduce some of her top donors to Mr. Obama on Thursday night in Washington, and on Friday the two of them will appear together at a rally in Unity, N.H. Mr. Obama is in talks to hire one of Mrs. Clinton's most prominent advisers -- Neera Tanden, her policy director -- and has hired and dispatched a few of Mrs. Clinton's field operatives to work in Missouri and Ohio."

VIDEO: A Race for the White House panel debates: Will Clinton supporters come home to Obama?

"But nearly three weeks after Mrs. Clinton suspended her campaign and endorsed Mr. Obama, some loyalists, especially on the Clinton side, are having trouble moving on. Some Clinton supporters are grousing that Mr. Obama has yet to make the symbolic gesture of writing a check for $2,300, the maximum allowable campaign donation, to help retire her debt of over $12 million." More: "The question of how many of Mrs. Clinton's former associates will end up working in Mr. Obama's campaign is another source of tension. To date, there has been no large-scale effort to recruit Mrs. Clinton's aides. Part of this is because Mr. Obama's campaign high command is already fully formed and because it is based in Chicago, meaning a relocation for most former Clinton workers. (Her headquarters was in suburban Washington.)"

Karl Rove, not surprisingly, goes after Obama today in his Wall Street Journal column. "McCain will be helped if he uses Mr. Obama's actions to paint his opponent as someone driven by an all-powerful instinct to look out only for himself. In a contest over who is willing to put principle above personal ambition and self-interest, John McCain, a war hero and a former POW, wins hands down. That may not be the most important issue to voters in electing a president, but it's something they will rightly take into account." 

Just how will Obama's online supporters stay involved should he win the White House?

The AFL-CIO appears set to endorse Obama today.

"Nader -- the longtime consumer advocate who has been a bane to Democrats - told the Rocky Mountain News that Obama is trying to 'talk white' and to appeal to 'white guilt,'" the Boston Globe writes.

Nader refused to back off his controversial statements about Obama yesterday. In a press release, Nader said: "Sen. Obama said earlier today that I haven't been paying attention to his campaign. Actually, I have. And it's clear from Senator Obama's campaign that he is not willing to tackle the white power structure -- whether in the form of the corporate power structure or many of the super-rich -- who are taking advantage of 100 million low income Americans who are suffering in poverty or near poverty."

Nader also defended his comments to the New York Times, "'What difference it should make is that he would be more sensitive and determined to bring elevated visibility and concrete programs to deal with these issues,' Mr. Nader said. 'Wouldn't a woman president be expected to be more responsive to women's rights? It's just more natural. He said that Mr. Obama 'obviously made a tactical decision that he's not going to campaign politically as Jesse Jackson did.'"

"'He wants to come across that he's not politically threatening to the white power class and the liberal intelligentsia,' Mr. Nader said. 'It's been a brilliant tactic.'"

"In a letter to Nader, the Rev. Al Sharpton said the comments 'are beneath the respect many have had for you.'"

The RNC has unveiled a Web site on Obama, Dr. Nobama.

L.A. Times' Rainey calls on the media to demand more answers from the candidates on Iraq. "Republicans pretend Sen. Obama can't lead on Iraq because he hasn't banked enough Green Zone photo ops. The Democratic charade is that Sen. McCain, who spent five years in a Vietnamese prison, doesn't care how long young Americans die in the desert. With the primary season over and conditions shifting on the ground in Iraq, it's time for the media to bear down on these would-be commanders in chief with a few tough questions. I called half a dozen of the most thoughtful commentators on Iraq, and they agreed that it's time, to re-mint a phrase, for some 'straight talk.'"

VIDEO: What do the presidential candidates really have to say about Iraq and energy? A Race for the White House panel discusses where candidates stand.

More: "'It drives me crazy,' said retired Maj. Gen. John Batiste, who led the 1st Infantry Division in Iraq. 'There is no post-surge strategy. We are talking about staying indefinitely. We have not mobilized the country in any real way. And the military is decaying before our eyes.' Batiste wonders why we haven't heard a coherent strategy from McCain or Obama about what happens after 'the surge,' the troop buildup due to expire next month."

And: "If McCain gets credit for supporting the surge, which has helped reduce violence, shouldn't he also be pressed to explain his less prescient moments, such as predicting an easy triumph in Iraq? How, despite his supposedly superior foreign policy credentials, could he have been so wrong? Obama gets credit for opposing a war whose initial goal -- protecting the world from weapons of mass destruction -- turned out to be an illusion. Shouldn't he have to account for opposing the surge, which has enhanced the safety of Iraqis and American GIs?"

Salon takes a look at the potential of Rob Portman being picked by McCain. "Portman is getting some buzz, among the GOP governors and ex-governors who also pop up in the summer's political gossip. One Republican strategist grumbled that it's mostly Portman's buddies at the White House talking him up. 'I think that buzz is largely coming from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,' the strategist said. 'It's like a college radio station -- the further you get from campus, the more it dies down.'"

VIDEO: NBC News/National Journal reporter Mike Memoli discusses the Democratic and Republican veepstakes with MSNBC's Alex Witt.

"What might attract McCain to Portman is easy to see: He's conservative, but not a bomb-thrower on social issues. He's friendly with big business interests supportive of Republicans. His work in Congress and in the administration gives him valuable insight. 'Rob understands government to a degree and at a level that most people don't achieve without serving as vice president or president,' said Robert Paduchik, Bush's campaign manager in Ohio in 2004. 'Having worked on the Hill, having been the president's liaison there, having worked at USTR and OMB -- you really understand the nuts and bolts of how things happen in government with that kind of a résumé.'"

More from NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli… Obama talked about what he's looking for in a running mate. "I want somebody who can be a good president if anything happened to me. I want somebody who can be a good adviser and counsel to me and tell me where he or she thinks I'm wrong, not just on national security policy but on domestic policy as well." 
 
Hillary Clinton added a speech to the American Nurses Association to her schedule for today. She'll also speak at the NALEO Conference. These are her first two public speeches since withdrawing. Meanwhile Robert Barnett is working to hash out remaining issues between Obama and Clinton.     
 
FL Gov. Charlie Crist (R) "denied that the juxtaposition of his most unpopular environmental comments made last week with his most spectacular this week was staged." "It's not about politics at all." And he told Wall Street Journal that the U.S. Sugar/Everglades deal is his proudest achievement. "The enormity of it is hard to comprehend," he said. "We're talking about a tract of land that's almost 300 square miles, which if done right . . . will restore the natural flow of the river of grass. It's honoring God's work." Arnold Schwarzenegger joins Crist in Florida today.

Joe Lieberman said, if asked, he'd consider going to the Republican convention. 

Politico explores VA Gov. Tim Kaine's (D) potential, pointing to one attribute "that hasn't gotten so much attention: Tim Kaine speaks fluent Spanish."  

And the Wall Street Journal online profiles MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R). "When it comes to loyalty, McCain couldn't do much better. Pawlenty has backed the senator's presidential bid since late 2006, became his campaign's national co-chairman in January 2007 and stuck with the candidate even when his campaign was near collapse last summer."

How upset is the McCain campaign and the NRSC and NRCC with GOP Sen. Gordon Smith today? His decision to run a TV ad talking up his work with Obama is making it harder for Republicans to make the claim that Obama is bad for Democrats down the ballot. The Washington Post: "The outbreak of enthusiasm is a striking shift from the spring, when Republican advertisements from North Carolina to Mississippi to Illinois ominously painted Obama as an out-of-touch liberal bringing his brand of politics to regions of the country that should shun it."

VIDEO: NBC Political Director Chuck Todd discusses Republican Sen. Gordon Smith of Oregon reaching out to Barack Obama and the implications this has for the McCain campaign.

"National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Ken Spain said the GOP will stick to that script this fall 'on a district-by-district basis.' But a senior Republican strategist involved in House races said that strategy is now largely dead,  'except in rare instances, and I'm not sure it was a good idea in the first place.' The tactic initially caused some Democrats to distance themselves from the senator from Illinois, but now most are eager to be as closely associated with his campaign as possible."

More: "In New Hampshire, Democratic Senate candidate and former governor Jeanne Shaheen will campaign in Manchester today with Michelle Obama, whom Republicans have tried to turn into a political liability. Conservative House Democrat John Barrow has persuaded Obama to cut a radio advertisement for him ahead of his July primary in Georgia. Senate campaign spokesmen for Democrats Tom Allen in Maine, Kay Hagan in North Carolina, Al Franken in Minnesota and Rick Noriega in Texas all said they have reached out to the Obama campaign and are pleading for a visit from either the candidate or his wife."

And here's something you don't often hear. "I'm actually pretty happy about last night's results," U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon told The Associated Press after losing his primary bid for re-election. "I think I'll be able to do many of the things I would ordinarily do in Congress on the outside without having to suffer the sort of difficulties that come with that job."

From NBC's Abby Livingston
Michael Dukakis, Obama is not.
 
On the death penalty today, Obama sidestepped a potential political land mine. Opponents could have had something recent and tangible to tag him anew as a hard-left liberal had he answered any differently than he did on the issue.

VIDEO: NBC's Pete Williams explains U.S. Supreme Court rulings striking down the death penalty in child rape cases and curring the payment to Exxon Valdez victims.

When asked about the Supreme Court ruling against the use of the death penalty in instances of child rape today at a news conference in Chicago, Obama answered, "I disagree with the decision. I have said repeatedly that I think that the death penalty should be applied in very narrow circumstances for most egregious of crimes. I think that the rape of a small child, six or eight years old is a heinous crime, and if a state makes a decision that under narrow, limited, well-defined circumstances, the death penalty is at least potentially applicable. That does not violate our constitution."

He continued, "Had the Supreme Court said, 'We want to constrain ability of states to do this to make sure that it's done in a careful and appropriate way,' that would've been one thing, but it basically had a blanket prohibition and I disagree with that decision."

Previously, The Washington Post reported that Obama is a reluctant death penalty supporter. 
 
His answer was a sharp contrast from 1988 Democratic nominee Dukakis' answer to a debate question about his stance on the death penalty if the crime perpetrated had been the rape and murder of his own wife.

Dukakis answered, "No, I don't, and I think you know that I've, I've opposed the death penalty during all of my life. I don't see any evidence that it's a deterrent, and I think there are better and more effective ways to deal with violent crime."
 
Many, including Dukakis, cite the statement as the beginning of the end of his campaign. Since then, the issue has been a minefield for Democratic White House aspirants.
 
In reality, Obama's answer to the question had more in common with his Republican opponent than his party's 1988 standard-bearer.

McCain's Senate office sent out a similarly worded statement: "As a father, I believe there is no more sacred responsibility in American society than that of protecting the innocence of our children. I have spent over 25 years in Congress fighting for stronger criminal sentences for those who exploit and harm our children. Today's Supreme Court ruling is an assault on law enforcement's efforts to punish these heinous felons for the most despicable crime.  That there is a judge anywhere in America who does not believe that the rape of a child represents the most heinous of crimes, which is deserving of the most serious of punishments, is profoundly disturbing."

From NBC's Jim Popkin
Red State. Blue State. They're all Obama states to David Plouffe.

Speaking for an hour today in rapid-fire bursts to a room full of reporters at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, the Obama campaign manager outlined the campaign's "path to victory in November."

VIDEO: A Race for the White House panel takes a look at a map of Republican states Barack Obama plans to target in his campaign for the presidency.

The Dem wunderkind tried to convince reporters that, actually, there are multiple paths to election-day success.

"We have a lot of ways to get to 270" electoral votes, Plouffe said.

Aided by a Power-Point demonstration with slides titled, "Expanding the Map: Turning Red States Blue" and "Enthusiasm Gap," Plouffe whipped through state after state and predicted they may all be in play come November.

"We want to play a lot of offense," Plouffe said.

His tone wasn't cocky, but it was exceedingly confident, several reporters noted after the event.

The GOP stronghold of Alaska?

"Competitive," Plouffe said.

Georgia?

"Dead heat."

Florida?

"Enormously competitive…a very close race."

Plouffe said he is counting on record voter turnout, old-fashioned enthusiasm for Obama and a grassroots "persuasion Army" of supporters in precinct after precinct to win the day.

"Time is our friend here," he said. And he promised to place campaign staffers in all 50 states, even those they assume they will lose. "There will be some states where we will have one staff or two."

The campaign released an e-mail copy of the Power-Point presentation to reporters, but did not include slides that forecast the states where Obama and McCain are strongest, and weakest.

From MSNBC.com's Tom Curry
"This session of the Supreme Court has been a winner for child rapists and terrorists."

That is what John McCain's best buddy in the Senate, Sen. Lindsey Graham, said in a statement today about the Supreme Court's 5-to-4 ruling in the Louisiana death penalty case. (The two Bush appointees on the court, Roberts and Alito, were in the minority.)

The decision, written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, struck down the Louisiana law that permitted the death penalty for those convicted of raping a child.

The word "terrorists" in Graham's statement was a reference to the high court's June 12 Boumediene decision which struck down a central part of the 2007 Military Commission Act and gave prisoners at Guantanamo the right to habeas corpus.

That decision, too, was written by Justice Kennedy.

In one sense, it is all due to the blocking of the Bork nomination in 1987 which led to the nomination of Anthony Kennedy, who on days like today is the most powerful man in Washington.

In case anyone might have missed the point Graham added in his statement: "One of the major issues facing our nation is the future makeup of the Supreme Court."

As I wrote back in 2005, there is "a lesson in this for presidents and those who help them select Supreme Court nominees: when your first candidate fails, and your second surprises you with an awkward episode from his past, you can end up with someone whose decisions you'll live to regret for 20 years and more. One of the most conservative presidents in American history wound up placing on the high court a judge who turned out to be in some cases -- from the conservative perspective -- alarmingly liberal."

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli
THE SHORT LIST.
Obama manager David Plouffe was asked if he thinks a VP candidate selection could help carry a state. "I don't think that's going to be a factor in selection," he said. He pointed to Al Gore and Dick Cheney as examples of not choosing based simply on electoral math.

WHAT THEY'RE UP TO.
Hillary Clinton spoke to members of the House today, for 10 minutes, "stressing the importance of electing more Democrats to Congress and Sen. Barack Obama to the White House." "I will do everything I can to ensure Sen. Obama is elected president," she said. "This was a very difficult campaign, let's be honest. It caused some heartburn…but we are a family. We are the Democratic Party, and we are on the same team. So let's go out and win in November," she concluded, to a standing ovation. 

KS Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D) predicted that Republicans would undertake "a major effort to try and frighten people about" Obama because of his race. "That has been the Republican playbook for the last eight years," said Sebelius. "'He's not qualified, he's somebody who should scare you. He's too liberal.'" She also refused to comment on VP speculation. 

FL Gov. Charlie Crist (R) "evoked President Kennedy's challenge to land on the moon and called for the same dedication and innovation" in tackling climate change. 

He also clarified his oil drilling stance, saying it would have to be "far enough, safe enough, and clean enough." 

Florida Democrats meanwhile wonder if Crist's Everglades announcement was more veep posturing. 

LA Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) released a statement saying he was "outraged" over the Supreme Court decision on child rape. "It is an affront to the people of Louisiana and the jury's unanimous decision in this case. … The Supreme Court is dead wrong." 

Retired Marine Gen. Jim Jones is appearing with Obama, after being on the plane with McCain.

Chris Dodd apologized for getting emotional about a hold up to the housing foreclosure bill. 

The Center for U.S. Global Engagement talks to Tom Ridge about the campaign.

ON THE RECORD.
Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) was asked by Andrea Mitchell if he'd accept a VP offer, and said it's not something one turns down. "The answer to that is 'Yes,'" he said. He also hinted he's being vetted. "I can't talk about all that, as you can appreciate. Otherwise, I'd disqualify myself for consideration."

Rep. Chet Edwards (D-TX) released a statement saying that he has not met with the Obama campaign regarding the VP nomination, adding: "I would not want to speculate on the names being considered." He said he was "humbled" that Nancy Pelosi floated his name.

Bill Richardson got the question on Fox & Friends. "I don't worry about stuff like that, because you guys know I love my job as governor, and I'm very happy here, and I just want to see Senator Obama get elected. That's what I'm trying to do. ... It'd be an honor, but I'm not seeking it. I've got plenty to do. I'm having a good time as governor."

ELECTORAL MATH.
In the LA Times/Bloomberg poll, Hillary Clinton has a 49/39 fav/unfav rating. Bill Clinton's was 52/36

CHATTERING CLASS.
The National Review, which endorsed Mitt Romney, has a list of unacceptable VP choices for McCain: Crist, Ridge, Mike Huckabee and Joe Lieberman.

A Dallas Morning News writer makes the case for and against Chet Edwards. On the plus side, he's a conservative Democrat from a red state, and is older but not "ancient." Also has a record in the field of military affairs. On the negative side, he's little known, and wouldn't likely help much in Texas. 

Huffington Post says Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) wowed Dem partisans at the Beverly Hills Hilton. 

Here's one vote for Sarah Palin. 

From NBC's Lauren Appelbaum
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) has recently come under fire for (now) supporting offshore oil drilling after McCain, whom Crist supports, called for allowing states to make individual decisions about drilling for oil in American waters.

While hosting the 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change today, Crist defended his decision.

"In fact, what we're talking about is a comprehensive approach to providing the resources and fuel that our people need and doing it in a way that is safe enough, far enough from our shore, and clean enough," Crist told reporters. "So I don't think there's any problem with that so long as those three tenets are met."
 
Earlier, during the opening speech of the summit, Crist called for a new energy future to begin in the sunshine state.

"We laid the foundation of our energy future last year; this year it is time to make it happen," Crist said in downtown Miami. "I truly believe that in investing in renewable and alternative technologies here in the sunshine state can propel us as a leader. We can become the green technology hub, the silicon valley of green, if you will. Florida can be known as the energy and green industry leaders in the world."
 
In speaking with the reporters, Crist used the purchasing of Everglades land as an example of what Florida is doing to achieve this status.

"And what we announced yesterday as it relates to the Everglades, I think, is one of the most exciting things that Florida has ever done in the environmental arena," Crist said. "This is such a treasure. The need for us to protect it and preserve it is first and foremost of this administration."

From NBC/NJ's Matthew Berger
LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- With the McCain camp highlighting a new poll that shows the Republican even with Obama, McCain himself downplayed the significance of current polls, especially those that show him trailing.
 
"It's good to see yourself running, for us to be, most polls show us frankly two, three, four points down," McCain said at a fundraiser Wednesday. "That's good for this stage of the game, particularly considering the headwind we have on our economy. And I'd like to give you a little straight talk. There was a poll last week that showed me three points down from Sen. Obama and the Republican Party 19 points down from the Democrats."
 
The latest Gallup tracking poll today had McCain and Obama tied at 45 percent each, a high water mark for McCain. The poll came on the same day as a Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg survey had Obama with a 12-point lead.
 
McCain acknowledged the Gallup tie score at the fundraiser, but suggested polling this summer will not be significant.
 
"The first lesson I want you to draw is that people are really are not gonna start focusing on the campaign until the conventions," McCain said. "So a lot of this polling data is pretty much, sort of, you know, 'Who do you like?' and all that."

From NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy
LAS VEGAS, NV -- While wrapping up the west coast swing of his two-week energy tour, 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."

According to McCain spokesperson Brian Rogers, "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."

The parts of this project as outlined during this tour are at least seven fold. 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.

McCain mostly avoided criticizing his opponent this morning, only lashing out at "opponents of domestic production" -- a label he has previously said applies to Obama.

"Opponents of domestic production cling to their position, even as the price of foreign oil has doubled and doubled again," he said. "They were against it when a gallon of gas cost $2. They're still against it when a gallon of gas cost well over $4. And we're left to wonder what it will take to shake their faith in this dogma of dependence on foreign oil."

But the McCain campaign was not so shy this morning during one of their oh-so-common conference calls, during which Sen. Jon Kyl referred to Obama as "Dr. No" and said Obama has opposed numerous proposals to confront the energy crisis.

"It's a very negative approach that basically says there are no answers to the hurt Americans are suffering right now," Kyl said.

*** UPDATE *** Here's the response from the DNC: "Apparently John McCain's idea of 'straight talk' means not talking at all about his plan to bring more nuclear waste but fewer jobs to Nevada. During his 25 years in Congress, Sen. McCain has been a part of America's energy problem by repeatedly voting against the kind of incentives that would create green jobs in Nevada and communities across the country. America's working families deserve new energy ideas, not more of the same failed policies that have cost us jobs, driven energy prices through the roof, and done nothing to make America less dependent on foreign oil."

From NBC's Mike Viqueira
By the end of the day in US Congress, we will have witnessed at least three press conferences from party leaders on the issue of the high cost of energy, especially gasoline.

The good news is that your elected representatives are still responsive to the concerns of average Americans. Everyone from Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell on down understands that this is an issue that has the potential to change the political dynamic this election year, and is rushing forward with proposals hoping to demonstrate that they are doing something -- or at least trying to.

The bad news is that the two sides are at present nowhere near agreement on what should be done. And ever mindful that this is an election year, they seem to be comfortable with where they are in their positions and don't mind letting the voters decide who is right in November (but not without a lot of noise along the way). In any event, on the very outside chance that they do find common ground, they are unlikely to enact anything that will affect the price of gas in the short term.

Republicans think they have traction, and are pressing relentlessly ahead with their new mantra when it comes to oil: "Find more. Use Less." Opening ANWR and the OCS, coupled with their stated support of a shift to alternative energy is their prescription.

Democrats are in a mind for retribution. They have legislation that would punish oil companies found to be engaging in "price gouging"; they want to take action against OPEC and oil market speculators; and they want to take away the leaseholds of oil companies that are not using those rights to find oil and gas on the 68 million acres they currently have access to. "Use it or lose it," is their battle cry. They also place an emphasis on new sources of energy. They deride the president's policy as one of "drill and veto."

Reality check: There are six weeks of legislative session left before the elections; three weeks in July and three more in September. Then it's off to the hustings. Unless the situation becomes yet more dire between now and then and people really start to panic, don't look for a lot in the way of compromise on the issue from Washington.

From NBC's Jim Miklaszewski and Courtney Kube
Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell confirms that Obama has asked for, and will soon receive, a military operational and intelligence briefing. Morrell said it will be his second such brief in recent months. The briefing, however, will be nothing more than any member of the Senate would receive.        

Morrell said that McCain, as a ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, receives operational and intelligence briefings more frequently, and by virtue of his position is cleared to receive more highly-classified information regarding military ops and intel. The press secretary added that McCain has requested one separate briefing in about the last six months. According to Morrell, once both senators are the official presidential candidates of their party, they will be briefed on an equal basis.

Morrell stressed that, for now, any requests for Pentagon briefings from either senator must come through their Senate offices or respective committees and not through their campaign offices.

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Asked by NBC's Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC this afternoon if he would accept being vice president if asked, Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) said, in part, It's not something you turn down. "The answer to that is 'Yes,'" he said.

VIDEO: Speaking with NBC's Andrea Mitchell, Sen. Evan Bayh says he would accept an invitation to join the Obama ticket.

When asked if he was being vetted by the Obama campaign, he didn't say no, and, in fact, intimated that he is being vetted.

*** UPDATE *** Here's the exchange:
MITCHELL: Let me ask you the question that Brian Williams asked Joe Biden on Sunday on Meet the Press, if asked, would you serve, vice president?

BAYH: I don't think it's the kind of thing you say no to, Andrea. The answer to that is yes. I love my day job. I'm not looking to change, but if someone who will be leading the country comes to you and says I need your help. I want you to do this. Of course. If you care about serving your country that is the kind of thing that you do.

AM: And has the vetting begun?

EB: Well, I can't talk about that as you can appreciate, otherwise I disqualify myself from consideration [smiles]. But they have a process. That process should go forward. And we'll just see where it leads, and it's Sen. Obama's decision to make and his alone, and I think he's the one that should be allowed to speak about these kinds of things.

AM: I'm going to take that as a yes -- (EB laughs) Senator, let me just add it all up: red state, Indiana; Armed Services Committee; broad record on economic issues; foreign policy experience; former governor. Not a bad resume.
 
EB:  You're sounding like Sus---
 
AM: I can say it, you don't have to-- (EB laughs)
 
EB: I'd be immodest if I agreed with you, Andrea. Look, this country-- This is a big stakes election. We have major challenges. Particularly the middle class economic challenges that face our country. Barack Obama is dedicated to addressing those issues; to making the progress and the change the American people deserve. And I'll help him in any way I can. I'm in the United States Senate now. I'm happy to help. And we should all have that same attitude, I think.

From Alex Wall and Katie Mulhall
A bipartisan coalition of religious and military leaders and former Bush administration officials is calling on President Bush to issue an executive order banning the use of torture.

On a conference call today, the architects of the Statement of Principles said there were neither moral nor national security justifications for torture. The group includes six former Secretaries of State and Defense and former members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
 
Former U.S. Navy General Counsel Alberto Mora argued that the use of torture in interrogations has made the U.S. less safe and has made our allies reluctant to cooperate with us in the war on terror, and also stressed that torture runs "directly contrary to everything our national values" stand for. Kern added that torture is ineffective, and he "could find no evidence that torture produces any results that are credible."
 
Evangelicals for Human Rights President Dr. David Gushee said the statement marked a "decisive rejection of torture" from "what might be called the moral center of America." He acknowledged that "fear, anger and grief sent us off course after 9/11," but stressed that "we must recover our moral bearings as a nation."
 
Center for Victims of Torture Executive Director Doug Johnson said that if the president issued an executive order reversing his policy, it "would represent a sign to the American people that things are changing." The group will first seek support for the declaration from leaders around the country and from the public, and said they will only present it to the president once they feel they have the necessary momentum.
 
They emphasized that the statement was directed at Bush, not the presidential candidates, and that IRS law prevented their organizations from soliciting Obama and McCain's signatures. However Johnson noted that it would be legal for the campaigns to approach them offering their support, and that "it would be far better for the country if both candidates endorsed it."

He added that the media were under no such restrictions about questioning the candidates, and encouraged reporters "to ask the candidates whether they would sign it."

NBC's Jim Miklaszewski adds that signatories to the torture ban include; former Secretaries of State George Shultz, Madeleine Albright, Warren Christpher, and former Secretaries of Defense William Perry, William Cohen and Harold Brown. 

The group, while bipartisan, is represented by Fenton Communications, a liberal-based public relations firm which also represents the anti-war group, MoveOn.org, and recently produced the anti-war political spot in which a young mother holding an infant son tells John McCain you can't have him for the Iraq war.

The groups involved will not push their torture ban directly with either John McCain or Barack Obama because that could be considered electioneering and violate their non-profit status with the IRS.

The group will launch a website later today, but failed to provide the address.

From NBC's Lauren Appelbaum
On the Hill today, Hillary Clinton responded to statements that her husband is not enthusiastic about campaigning for Obama, telling reporters Bill "has said he will do whatever he can and whatever he's asked."
 
"I am going to be campaigning on Friday, and my husband is in Europe right now," the New York senator explained after meeting with the House Democratic Caucus. "He is attending President Mandela's 90th birthday party today in London. And there will be a lot of work for all of us as Democrats to do, including him."
 
Clinton also said she is "excited about getting back to work here in the Congress" and working with Obama to take back control of the White House. "This election is a make-or-break election, and I am 100% committed to do everything I possibly can to make sure that Sen. Obama is sworn in as the next president of the United States next January here in this Capitol, that we add to our numbers in the House and especially in the Senate, because the American people are yearning for results, for solutions."
 
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), appearing with Clinton, commended Clinton on her run. "Because of her campaign, the Democratic Party is much more energized, is much more prepared to win in November," Pelosi said, "and more important than that, much better prepared to govern come January."

From NBC's Mark Murray
YORK, PA -- Earlier this morning, we reported on some of the findings of a focus group that was conducted here by Democratic pollster Peter Hart. Below are some more observations from the 12 likely voters (all of whom didn't support Obama or McCain in the April primary) from this important battleground state:

Hillary Clinton. Most of the participants had very positive views of the New York senator, especially the seven of the 12 who supported her in the primary. (Clinton beat Obama in York County, 55%-45%.) Words used to describe her: "personable," "experienced, "so smart," and "great first lady." Kirby, a Democrat who now says he backs Obama, noted that Clinton "knew her way around" Washington and the White House. He also added, "I think it's time for a woman president."

VIDEO: A Hardball panel debates: Will the Democrats' attacks on John McCain's age backfire?

McCain's Age. The participants brought up this subject frequently, particularly when Hart asked them about uncertainties concerning McCain. Kim, who voted for Bush in '04, backed Clinton in the primary and is undecided in the Obama-McCain contest, responded to this question with one word: "age." She even mentioned the possibility of Alzheimer's. Michelle B., who supports Obama, said: "I am looking for somebody younger."

Obama's Race. Near the end of the 2 1/2-hour focus group, Hart asked what the effect would be of having the country's first black president. William, who backs McCain, said the "world will be watching" -- in how whites, blacks, and other races react to it. Janell, the Republican who remains undecided, argued that it shouldn't make a difference (that Obama being elected should have the same impact if a white person was elected to the United States). Tony, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and supports McCain, added: "I think there is still a lot of racism in the country."

When Hart asked whether race was a barrier for Obama, Janell replied that this country needs the best candidate, regardless of color or race. Kirby answered that he's disappointed the topic even comes up, especially given that Obama's multi-racial. Terry, who won't vote for Obama, said she is fearful for the safety of Obama and his wife. "The real world doesn't do well with change." And Charles, the Hillary supporter who said he's backing McCain, said there could be riots if Obama is elected. He was the only person out of the 12 to share that opinion.

The Media. There was one universal opinion at the focus group -- shared by men, women, Republicans, Democrats, Obama supporters, and McCain backers -- the media haven't done a good job covering the election. Susan, a Democrat who's for Obama, talked about the "overkill" of analysis; Charles said there was a pro-Obama bias; and Michelle B. didn't like the constant discussion of race. Kirby put it this way: When you have 24-hour cable news, "there is not that much [else] to talk about." 

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Republcian Sen. Gordon Smith, of Oregon, touts his affiliation with a leader of a national party -- it's just that it's not his own.

In Smith's new ad, "Truth," the opening line: "Who says Gordon Smith helped lead the fight for better gas mileage and a cleaner environment -- Barack Obama.

[YouTube:ZGDJijGCeO4] 

"He joined with Gordon and broke through a 20-year deadlock to pass new laws which increased gas mileage for automobiles."

AP's take: "Republicans usually demonize Barack Obama in their political advertising, but GOP Sen. Gordon Smith aligns himself with the Democratic presidential candidate in a new ad, citing legislation they worked on to improve fuel efficiency standards. Observers in both parties said it appeared to be the first time in this election cycle that a GOP Senate candidate had aligned with Obama.

"The ad, responding to an independent Democratic ad linking Smith to high gas prices, credits Obama with saying that 'Gordon Smith led the fight for better gas mileage and a cleaner environment.' …

"Obama's campaign said the Illinois senator appreciated that his 'record of bipartisan achievement is respected by his Democratic and Republican colleagues.' But Obama is backing Democrat Jeff Merkley in the Oregon Senate race, said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton."

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli
Hillary Clinton released this statement on Obama asking donors to help her raise money to pay off debt:

"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."

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
In an interview with the Rocky Mountain News, Ralph Nader says this on Obama:

"There's only one thing different about Barack Obama when it comes to being a Democratic presidential candidate. He's half African-American," Nader said. "Whether that will make any difference, I don't know. I haven't heard him have a strong crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos. Payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead. 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 that play out in the next few months and if he gets elected afterwards." ...

VIDEO: Ralph Nader accuses Obama of downplaying poverty issues.

"Asked to clarify whether he thought Obama does try to 'talk white,' Nader said: 'Of course. ... I mean, first of all, the number one thing that a black American politician aspiring to the presidency should be is to candidly describe the plight of the poor, especially in the inner cities and the rural areas, and have a very detailed platform about how the poor is going to be defended by the law, is going to be protected by the law, and is going to be liberated by the law,' Nader said. 'Haven't heard a thing.'" ...

" 'He wants to show that he is not a threatening . . . another politically threatening African-American politician,' Nader said. 'He wants to appeal to white guilt. You appeal to white guilt not by coming on as black is beautiful, black is powerful. Basically he's coming on as someone who is not going to threaten the white power structure, whether it's corporate or whether it's simply oligarchic. And they love it. Whites just eat it up.'"

The Obama campaign responded to the paper this way: "We are obviously disappointed with these very backward-looking remarks," Obama campaign spokeswoman Shannon Gilson said.

From NBC's Chuck Todd
Be careful over-interpreting the independents number for McCain in current polls. The reason he's doing well among indies is that a growing slice of them are former Republicans.

This goes to the party I.D. issue. As more folks refuse to identify themselves as GOPers, they move into the independent category, making those voters more conservative than we've seen in the past and therefore artificially increasing McCain's share among them.

When looking at national polls, it's better to study ideology (those who identify as "conservative" or "liberal") rather than party ID ("Republican," "Independent" or "Democrat").

Just something to keep in mind when examining these national polls.

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
YORK, PA -- A focus group conducted last night here in a county that Hillary Clinton carried in April showed that her supporters are coming around to Obama. But the group -- 12 likely voters, all white, and all of whom didn't back either Obama or McCain in the primary -- also demonstrated that both candidates have plenty of work to do between now and November. The good news for Obama: Of the seven Clinton supporters, all of whom backed her strongly, five were solidly behind the Illinois senator, one was fiercely opposed ("I don't trust Obama," he said), and one was undecided (but noted that Clinton's support of Obama would influence her vote). The bad news: On some questions of character, patriotism, and values (who would you rather carry the American flag at the Olympics, who would you rather carpool with), the focus group overwhelmingly picked McCain. While Jeremiah Wright barely came up and "bitter" didn't at all, two of the respondents -- the Clinton supporter and a female Bush voter -- had very negative opinions of him. "I don't trust Osama … Obama. It's only a letter difference," said Charles, the Hillary backer. "His middle name is Hussein." Observed Terry, the female Bush voter: "I don't feel he's a true American."

*** Views of Obama: Overall, however, Obama fared pretty well in this focus group, which was striking given that it was all white, that not a single person voted for him in the primary, and that it took place in a region not considered a strength for him. Five said they would vote for him, four backed McCain, and three said they were undecided. Democratic pollster Peter Hart, who conducted the focus group for the Annenberg School at the University of Pennsylvania, said Obama benefited from a room wanting change and to move beyond Bush. What skeptics were looking for, he added, was some "meat on the bone." The five who said they would vote for him cited his fresh ideas, intelligence, grasp of the issues, and excitement and energy. The four who opposed him -- all Bush voters, save Charles, the Hillary supporter -- stressed his inexperience and their fears of him being commander-in-chief. And of the three who were undecided, one said they wanted to know more about his health-care plans; another wanted to know more about the kind of change he would bring; and the third said she was considering Obama because of change.

VIDEO: Barack Obama and John McCain are in a war of words over debates, campaign finance and remarks by advisers. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports on the latest in the presidential campaign.

*** Views of McCain: As for McCain, many of the focus group participants cited his experience, his POW past, and his love of the country. But it was noteworthy that of the three undecideds, all of them voted for Bush in 2004 -- but they were unwilling to announce their support for McCain. One of them, Kim, expressed concern about the Arizona senator's age. Another, Janell, even recalled him saying at a GOP debate that the economy wasn't in that bad of shape, and she said that McCain must chose a running mate "I have absolute confidence in" to win her vote. Hart said the fact that a GOP voter like Janell wasn't supporting McCain right now was telling. "If [she] isn't a locked-in vote for John McCain, that is bad news." What's more, except for only the strongest Republicans in the group, the opinions of President Bush were unflattering. "Ineffective," "deceptive," and "disgusted" were some of the words they said to describe him. Also in the focus group, the economy was the top concern (only one said Iraq), and all of them were critical of the way the media have covered the presidential contest. We'll have more about the focus group later today.

*** Bill's beefs with Obama: The budding rivalry between Bill Clinton and Obama is coming into clearer focus thanks to a VERY tepid supporting statement yesterday from Bill Clinton about Obama. It's been no secret in Clinton circles that the FPOTUS took the primary campaign personally, particularly on two fronts: 1) the fact that Obama was so quick to pooh-pooh the '90s and 2) the way he believes the Obama campaign turned him into a racist. While Hillary Clinton is very pragmatic about what she needs to do in this campaign now regarding Obama, Bill's just not there yet. That said, one Bill confidante recently said to us that the former president still loves to heal rifts, that he thrives on it, and that at some point he'll go on his own Obama charm offensive so that suddenly the Democratic nominee finds himself so smitten that he begins begging 42 to start campaigning for him. But when will Bill Clinton's seduction of Obama begin? Will it be in time for the convention so that Bill gets his speaking slot? Or will he be reduced to tribute video status while Hillary Clinton gets the Monday prime time slot?

*** When Juan Valdez meets Pablo Escobar: Per NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy, McCain will travel to Colombia next week. The purpose of the trip, the campaign says, is because the country "is a vital ally in our struggle against the scourge of drugs." But it also goes beyond that:  Ever since the issue of NAFTA became a hot-button issue in the Democratic primary, McCain has been going out of his way to emphasize his own free-trade credentials. This includes several weeks of advocating the Colombia Free Trade Agreement, as well as last week's trip to Canada, where McCain refused to mention his opponent by name but said that Americans have "to defend [NAFTA] without equivocation in political debate." Aigner-Treworgy adds that next week's trip -- McCain will also stop in Mexico -- serves to make McCain look presidential (meeting with foreign leaders whom he calls "friends") and also provides him a forum in which he can promote his position on free trade while appearing to be above the back-and-forth partisan name-calling that takes place stateside.

*** Another incumbent bites the dust: After surviving past GOP primary challenges -- all focused on his support for comprehensive immigration reform -- Utah Rep. Chris Cannon (R) finally lost. He was defeated by challenger Jason Chaffetz, who served as Gov. Jon Huntsman's chief of staff and also was a placekicker for BYU. Cannon becomes the third congressional incumbent this cycle (Democrat Al Wynn and Republican Wayne Gilchrist were the others) to lose a primary challenge. All the attention the presidential contest has received has buried this point, but it's an important one to stress after yesterday's news: The country isn't happy with the US Congress. Indeed, just 13% in the latest NBC/WSJ poll -- an all-time low -- said they approved of the job it's doing. No wonder the most strident activists are so eager to kick out incumbents.

*** On the trail: McCain is in Nevada, giving an energy speech and raising money in Las Vegas and then opening a campaign office in Henderson. Obama is in Chicago, where he holds a media avail in the afternoon.

Countdown to Dem convention: 61 days
Countdown to GOP convention: 68 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 132 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 209 days
 
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A new Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll seems to back up the Newsweek poll. This new survey has Obama up 12 points over McCain (49%-37%). More: "On a four-man ballot that included independent candidate Ralph Nader and Libertarian Bob Barr, voters chose Obama over McCain by 48% to 33%."

VIDEO: Newsweek's Jon Meacham comes in to talk about his magazine's poll, which has Barack Obama leading by 14 percent. He also talks with the Morning Joe crew about Obama's response to the GOP's criticism.

"Obama's lead -- bigger in this poll than in most other national surveys -- appears to stem largely from his positions on domestic issues. Both Democrats and independent voters said Obama would do a better job than McCain at handling the nation's economic problems, the public's top concern. In contrast, many voters said McCain was the more experienced candidate and better equipped to protect the nation against terrorism -- but they ranked those concerns below economic issues."

"McCain suffers from a pronounced 'passion gap,' especially among conservatives who usually give Republican candidates a reliable base of support. Among voters who described themselves as conservative, 58% said they would vote for McCain; 15% said they would vote for Obama, 14% said they would vote for someone else, and 13% said they were undecided. By contrast, 79% of voters who described themselves as liberal said they planned to vote for Obama."

Bloomberg News: "One bright spot for McCain, who recently abandoned his opposition to offshore drilling for oil and natural gas, is a high level of support for more drilling."

Remember those exurbs that were so good to Bush in 2004? Well, the New York Times takes a look at how the rising cost of living is making life in the exurbs harder.

Did McCain lose some of his enviro mojo with the offshore oil drilling announcement? He had a credible pro-environment reputation and clearly wants to keep that reputation, but the offshore oil drilling stance has caused him some problems, potentially.

The Washington Post: "In a speech in Santa Barbara, Calif., McCain (R-Ariz.) vowed to 'put the purchasing power of the United States government on the side of green technology' by buying fuel-efficient vehicles for its civilian fleet of cars and trucks and by retrofitting federal office space. The pledge comes months after Obama (D-Ill.) outlined a more detailed and ambitious proposal on the subject, virtually ensuring that the next administration will take significant steps to lower the government's output of energy and pollution."

VIDEO: Newsweek's Richard Wolffe discusses strategist Charlie Black's comments that another terror attack on the U.S. would be an advantage to John McCain.

Charlie Black's comments about terrorist attack helping McCain continue to reverberate. "Obama and his surrogates continued to criticize Charles R. Black Jr., a top adviser to Sen. John McCain, on Tuesday for saying a terrorist attack before the November election would help the presumptive Republican nominee. But behind their protests lay a question that has dogged Democrats since Sept. 11, 2001: Was Black speaking the truth?"

More: "[R]adio host Rush Limbaugh said aloud what other Republicans have been saying  privately for months. Black's comments were 'obvious,' Limbaugh said yesterday on his program as he criticized McCain for distancing himself from them. Limbaugh said in no uncertain terms that Obama would be weak in the face of terrorism. 'We know damn well it's Obama who would seek to appease our enemies. We know damn well it's McCain who won't put up with another attack,' Limbaugh said."

To this day, Kerry (D-Mass.) has blamed an Osama bin Laden videotape released on Oct. 29, 2004, for his defeat in the election the following week. And McCain, while campaigning in Connecticut for Rep. Christopher Shays that week in 2004, described the bin Laden video as a boost for Bush. 'I think it's very helpful to President Bush,' McCain said at the time. 'It 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.'"

McCain held a tele-townhall with South Florida voters. "[T]he McCain campaign Tuesday night called 50,000 Democratic and independent voters who live in Broward and Palm Beach counties for a 'tele-townhall meeting' with the presidential candidate. About 4,500 people participated. The campaign says the voters were randomly selected and could ask the presumptive Republican nominee whatever they wanted, though the topics were screened. The event was part of a series of in-person and call-in meetings that McCain is hosting with Democrats and independent voters as he tries to distance himself from an unpopular Republican administration."

More: "The callers Tuesday night were all friendly and mostly complimentary. McCain fielded questions for about 45 minutes on taxes, public education and healthcare. In a nod to South Florida's large Jewish population, McCain vowed to enforce tough sanctions against the anti-Israel leader of Iran and to 'prevent another Holocaust.' He also repeated his call for the federal government to allow oil drilling off Florida's coast."

The Palm Beach Post added, "Sen. Joe Lieberman, an Independent from Connecticut who usually votes with the Democrats but has endorsed McCain, introduced the Republican candidate. Lieberman, the first Jewish candidate to run for vice president on a major party ticket, received strong support eight year ago among the large Jewish populations in Palm Beach and Broward counties. Speaking in a quiet, conversational tone, McCain recalled his recent trip to the Middle East with Lieberman – including a visit to Israel – and said he would do everything he could 'to prevent another Holocaust.'"

"McCain said Tuesday he wants to show his support for Colombia's anti-drug efforts and a pending free-trade agreement with the U.S. by visiting the South American ally... His staff committed one mistake in announcing the trip, though, repeatedly misspelling the country as 'Columbia.' Nonetheless, McCain cast his support for Colombia, its leaders and its people in the friendliest of terms."

"Obama asked members of his finance team Tuesday to help Hillary Rodham Clinton pay off at least $10 million of the debt from her failed White House bid. In an afternoon teleconference with his top fundraisers, Obama asked them to 'do what they could do' to help Clinton, according to a Democrat familiar with the call."

The New York Post's headline: "Passing plate for Hill."

VIDEO: When push comes to shove, will Bill and Hillary Clinton unite with Barack Obama? Lisa Caputo, her former White House press secretary, talks to TODAY's Meredith Vieira.

The AP on Bill Clinton's one-line endorsement of Obama: "Former President Bill Clinton, who has been noticeably reticent in his backing for Barack Obama, finally offered his endorsement yesterday, issuing a one-sentence statement through a spokesman."

It looks like Obama survived his Hollywood fundraiser without anything embarrassing taking place.

He raised nearly $5 million at the event. The guest list included actor Jennifer Beals; Sugar Ray Leonard; Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am, who created two music videos for Obama during the primary season; Singer Seal performed two songs; Don Cheadle; and Dennis Quaid.

The Washington Post's Ruth Marcus unloads on Obama's decision to opt out of the federal campaign finance system. "What's galling is Obama's effort to portray himself through this entire episode as somehow different from, and purer than, the ordinary politician. Different might have been coupling the announcement with a self-imposed limit on the size of donations. Different might have been -- it could still be -- taking the big checks but acknowledging that, since bundlers will be bringing in even bigger hauls, disclosure should be adjusted accordingly, to reveal not only who raised $200,000 but also who brought in $500,000, who $1 million."

"Obama's not the first politician to break a promise. He may be the first to do so in the guise of John Hancock, exuberantly signing the Declaration."

Obama called for tougher international action and tighter US sanctions against Zimbabwe, and chided the South African government for not doing enough to resolve the political crisis in the neighboring country.
 
The AP profiles Sen. Claire McCaskill and her effect on the Obama campaign, including her urging Obama to campaign in rural areas, something Kerry did little of.

Regarding his speech on religion and policy two years ago -- criticized by Focus on the Family head James Dobson -- Obama said: "the speech made the argument that people of faith, like himself, 'try to translate some of our concerns in a universal language so that we can have an open and vigorous debate rather than having religion divide us.' Obama added, "I think you'll see that he [Dobson] was just making stuff up, maybe for his own purposes."

And what's in your iPod? "Bob Dylan. Yo-Yo Ma. Sheryl Crow. Jay-Z. These aren't musical acts in a summer concert series: They're artists featured on Barack Obama's iPod. 'I have pretty eclectic tastes," the Democratic presidential contender said in an interview to be published in Friday's issue of Rolling Stone.'"