In an interview with Newsweek's Tammy Haddad, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi added a new name to the veepstakes long list: Texas Rep. Chet Edwards.

VIDEO: MSNBC Political Director Chuck Todd weighs in on the "chess match" for electoral votes that Obama and McCain will soon find themselves in. He tells us about the options and strategies that go into selecting a vice president.

More from NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli… Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA) talks about the input he gave Obama's search committee, saying he spoke "about the merits" of Hillary Clinton, as well as Chris Dodd, Joe Biden, and John Edwards. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA): "I haven't got a clue what they're thinking." 
 
Chris Cillizza makes the case for Hillary Clinton. "If a vice president is meant to strengthen the presidential nominee where he is weak, Clinton is the obvious choice. The two fit together like pieces of a puzzle -- bringing different geographic and resume strengths that would make a potent combination if joined together." 
 
According to a local poll, 34% of Kansans think Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will be tapped as Obama's running mate; 28% say they'd be more likely to vote for that ticket, while 35% would be less likely.

The Wall Street Journal online profiles Jindal, "a fresh face" with "conservative credentials and a reformist streak." 
 
Even with the "historic $1.75 billion sugar buyout deal" Gov. Charlie Crist (R-FL) announced yesterday, "it's unknown whether it will boost the Republican governor's national credentials in the ongoing battle over who will become the running mate" for McCain. Crist said it was "just a coincidence" that the announcement came after "he shook a political powder keg by announcing his willingness to reexamine the federal moratorium on offshore oil drilling." And Crist denies a rumor he is engaged. 

After surviving tough primary challenges in recent elections, Republican Congressman Chris Cannon finally met his match in Jason Chaffetz, a former chief of staff to Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman. Chaffetz won the primary with 60% of the vote.

Cannon is the third incumbent to lose a primary this year. The other two were both in Maryland: Republican Wayne Gilchrest lost to a more conservative primary challenger and Democrat Al Wynn lost a more liberal primary foe. Per CQ: "Chaffetz, running in a less vitriolic campaign environment, parlayed a bit of celebrity — he was the football placekicker for Utah's Brigham Young University in the mid 1980s — and a theme of change that resonated in a year when many voters are expressing dissatisfaction with political 'insiders.' Chaffetz overcame the support Cannon drew from the Republican Party establishment, including Bush and Utah's two Republican senators, Orrin G. Hatch and Robert F. Bennett."

"Chaffetz argued that Congress needs new blood, repeatedly stating that he wasn't the guy for voters who want the status quo. Calling himself results-oriented, he portrayed Cannon as an incumbent who has little to show for his 11 and a half years in Congress."

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli
THE SHORT LIST.
Hillary Clinton got enthusiastic applause from colleagues as she returned to the Hill. And she quickly shot down any lingering doubts that she's seeking the VP slot saying, "I am not seeking any other position." She added, "It is not something that I think about. This is totally Sen. Obama's decision and that's the way it should be." 

Clinton and Barack Obama reportedly talked by phone about her debt on Sunday.

WHAT THEY'RE UP TO.
FL Gov. Charlie Crist (R), on crutches, announced the purchase of Everglades land, calling the deal "as monumental as the creation of our nation's first national park, Yellowstone."  

And the St. Pete Times reports it was, in fact, Crist's idea. 

Sen. Chuck Hagel was the featured speaker at the launch of Impact '08 in Ohio, which was formed to "raise awareness of the global challenges and opportunities facing Ohio and America, and to encourage the 2008 presidential candidates to incorporate 'smart power' -- the strategic use of development, diplomacy and defense -- into their foreign policy platforms." 

Hagel also speaks at Brookings on Thursday.

Joe Lieberman will join John McCain on a trip to Colombia and Mexico next week. 

Michael Bloomberg spoke at the opening of the new exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York, called "Campaigning for President." 

Jim Webb spoke to a room full of celebs at an event for the Campaign for a New G.I. Bill, which the Virginia senator "was dragging, shoving, pushing and nudging" through. 

On local radio, Gov. Tim Kaine (D-VA) said non-violent felons should get voting rights when they leave prison. 

ON THE RECORD.
Mitt Romney told John Harwood on MSNBC today: "I'm not going to make any comments on the VP front."

Asked if she's on the short list, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) told Fox & Friends: "I hope not."

Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Foreign Born) said the subject of running mates came up at McCain's ranch last month. "He didn't say I would offer you the job, he just said it's a shame you're not eligible," Martinez said.

BUZZ METER.
An AFP story refers to MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty as the "media front-runner to be McCain's vice presidential nominee" when referring to his comments on the Charlie Black flare up. 

Nancy Pelosi wants to see some members of the House on Obama's list, and offers Rep. Chet Edwards (D-TX) -- who represents Bush's Crawford home. "Anyone that Barack Obama wants is my choice for vice president," Pelosi said. "But I do think in the list of considerations there should be somebody from the House of Representatives and Chet Edwards is a person that many of us think would be a good person to be in the mix."   

VEEP VETTING.
AP reminds us that Mike Huckabee once accused McCain of "playing political games" with the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, when McCain had said Huckabee didn't have "the same experience and background on national security issues."

E-VEEP.
Bill Richardson e-mails his supporters to say that his "number-one focus between now and November will be to keep New Mexico a blue state." He hints that he still has some campaign debt, as well, but asks for contributions to his gubernatorial account so he can help local candidates. 

From NBC's Alex Wall and Katie Mulhall
Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), McCain senior policy advisor Doug Holtz-Eakin and McCain spokesman Brian Rogers railed against Obama's remarks on energy today in Las Vegas.  The trio contrasted McCain's proposals of offshore exploration and a $300 million battery prize with Obama's "lack of solutions."
 

VIDEO: McCain proposed a $300 million bounty for inventing a new Flas Gordon-y car battery. At the same time Congress heard that gas prices could be reduced throught he elimination of loopholes that McCain economic guru Phil Gramm played a role in creating. The Nation's Chris Hayes discusses with Keith Olbermann.

"It's just very clear at this point that Sen. Obama is 'Dr. No' on energy security," Rogers said in a conference call with reporters. "It was, 'No' on gas-tax relief, 'No' on expanded nuclear power and investment, 'No' on exploration. …We think we're seeing a pattern here."
 
On offshore drilling: Sen. Burr criticized Obama's opposition to offshore drilling, claiming that, "Had the Congress 10 years ago opened up new exploration then, we would not be where we are today." Burr went on to emphasize that McCain's position on offshore drilling allows states to decide individually, but that failing to act would cripple the tourist industry that opponents of exploration are trying to protect.
 
"Whether you're in the state of Florida or North Carolina, if people can't afford to drive there, tourism is not as important," Burr said. "[But] if any other governor says [offshore drilling] is not right for them, then that's their right."
 
On the "$300-million-battery prize": Burr and Holtz-Eakin went on to contrast Obama's proposal for government investment in alternative energy technology with McCain's call for a $300-million reward to any company that can develop an energy-efficient battery. Holtz-Eakin stressed that government grants don't guarantee success while McCain's plan rewards results.
 
On the "windfall profits tax": Burr compared Obama's call for a windfall profits tax to the "failures" of the Carter Administration's energy policy.
 
"Obama has only offered one proposal on energy…he proposed a ludicrous tax on windfall profits which would lower our supply and raise prices," Burr said. "Windfall profits were tried in the Carter Administration, and the result was supply went down and prices went up. We need to increase supply and decrease consumption."

From NBC/NJ's Athena Jones

The Obama campaign hosted a call with Florida legislators to slam McCain as a poor candidate for South Florida who would have a big, uphill climb if he is to appeal to voters there.
 
On the roughly 25-minute call -- which the campaign called to discuss what it called McCain's upcoming "tele-town hall with "Independent and Democratic" voters" -- were U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (FL-D), formerly a staunch Clinton backer, and Robert Wexler (FL-D).
 
Wasserman-Schultz said South Florida had never supported a Republican as a presidential candidate in the 20 years she had lived there and argued McCain was "not a candidate that shares any of the prior that Democratic and Independent women care about in South Florida." She spoke specifically about his opposition to Roe v. Wade.
 
She also mentioned McCain advisor Charlie Black's comment that a terrorist attack on U.S. soil could benefit his campaign. She said using terrorism as a political tool was "disgusting" and suggested McCain's association with Black raised questions about his judgment.
 
The congresswoman said Obama had work to do in Florida because he had not campaigned there very much, but argued his positions on the issues of concern to the state's voters would put him in good stead.
 
Wexler called McCain the "most anti-Florida candidate in modern history" citing among other things his support for lifting the moratorium for offshore drilling along Florida's "pristine" coastline.

From NBC/NJ's Athena Jones

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Obama kept the focus on energy at an event with green technology workers at Springs Preserve -- a site outside Las Vegas dedicated to sustainability -- arguing he offered a different vision for America's energy future than his Republican rival.
 
The presumptive Democratic nominee called oil a "a 19th century fossil fuel that is dirty, dwindling, and dangerously expensive" and said a renewable energy economy was not  "some pie-in-the-sky, far-off future, it is now." He said making progress toward energy independence and encouraging clean energy was one of the top three goals of an Obama administration -- along with ending the war in Iraq and reforming the healthcare system.
 

VIDEO: A new poll says voters give Barack Obama's energy policy an edge over John McCain's. MSNBC's David Shuster talks with Obama advisor Susan Rice and McCain advisor Nancy Pfotenhauer.

"I have a very different vision of what this country can and should achieve on energy in the next four years -- and in the next 10 years," he said. "My entire energy plan will produce three times the oil savings that John McCain's ever could -- and what's more, it will actually decrease our dependence on oil while his will only grow our addiction further."
 
Obama's discussion with a group of about 100 people here, roughly coincided with an event his McCain was holding on the environment in Santa Barbara, CA and the Illinois senator drew laughter at times as he sought to draw contrasts with his rival, criticizing the Republican's record on clean, renewable energy and his current proposals. He slammed McCain again for proposing a gas tax holiday and for his opposition to the 2005 energy bill that increased investment in renewable energy, saying the Arizona senator had voted against biofuels, solar power, wind power -- "some of the very same projects and businesses he's highlighting in his campaign." He seemed to mock McCain for saying yesterday that lifting the moratorium on offshore drilling would have a mainly "psychological impact."
 
"A psychological impact. In case you were wondering, that's Washington-speak for, "It polls well." Obama said to laughter in the crowd. "The American people don't need psychological relief or meaningless gimmicks to get politicians through the next election cycle, they need real relief that will help them fill up their tanks and put food on their table.  They need a long-term energy strategy that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil by investing in the renewable sources of energy that represent the future.  That's what the American people need."
 
Obama talked about his own plans to invest $150 billion over ten years to develop alternative energy sources and his plans to raise vehicle fuel standards and help car companies make the transition to more fuel efficient cars. He said McCain's offer of a $300 million reward for the developer of a better car battery was too small-scale, suggesting it was another example of Washington's failed approach to the issue.
 
"After all those years in Washington, John McCain still doesn't get it," he 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 that a $300 million prize is the way to go. 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, not just in the private sector but also in the public sector."
 
Obama also said McCain's proposal to build 45 new nuclear reactors did not make sense because he had no plan to store the was in any place other than at Nevada's Yucca Mountain.
 
McCain campaign responds
 
The McCain campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds sent this response to Obama's remarks in Las Vegas: "John McCain has proposed an energy plan that calls for gas tax relief in the short term, increased exploration and energy development in the near term, and innovation and alternatives for long term energy independence.  While John McCain is putting the country first with the best ideas from both parties, Barack Obama has become the 'Dr. No' of energy, refusing to accept any idea that will contribute to solving America's energy crisis."

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli

Tammy Dowd, secretary to the Selectmen of Unity, N.H., confirms the Clinton-Obama event will be held outside of the Unity Elementary School. Dowd says Secret Service is there now "setting up shop." The staff at town hall has been told otherwise that they'll be given information on a "need-to-know basis."
 
They've been getting a lot of calls from people in New Hampshire asking how to get there, and also from people in New York and Massachusetts looking for directions from the closest airports.

"I'm guessing the entire town will show up," Dowd said, which would account for about 1,700 people. As for other visitors, "I'm hoping our one store stocks up," Dowd said.
 
Jim Demers, one of Obama's New Hampshire co-chairs, said the campaign will be sending more logisitical information by the end of the day. They're expecting a big turnout and are working to determine the best way to get people in and out of the town, since there is really just one main road. They'll probably be doing some shuttles from some bigger towns nearby.

From NBC's Ken Strickland
After addressing her Democratic colleagues today in their weekly luncheon, Sen. Hillary Clinton emerged with the Dem leadership at her side. She vowed to be "the very best senator I can be and to represent the greatest state in our country."

VIDEO: Hillary Clinton goes back to work at the Senate Tuesday. MSNBC's Mike Viqueira reports.

In a brief Q&A with reporters, she quickly shot down any lingering doubts that she's seeking the VP slot saying, "I am not seeking any other position." She added, "It is not something that I think about. This is totally Sen. Obama's decision and that's the way it should be.

When asked about McCain's efforts to court her supporters, Clinton said, "Anyone who voted for me has very little in common with the Republican Party." She then seemed to speak directly to her supporters: "If you care about the issues I care about and the future that I outlined in my campaign, then you really have to stay with us in the Democratic Party and vote Sen. Obama to be our next president."

Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman, a McCain ally and supporter, attended today luncheon. Fellow Sen. Evan Bayh told reporters that Lieberman sat at Clinton's table and the two  briefly exchanged pleasantries. 

"We're going to work very hard to elect Sen. Obama our president," she said. "And we're going to work very hard to add to our numbers here in the Senate... I'm just hoping that we'll have a very significant victory this November... I am rolling up my sleeves and getting back to work."

From NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy

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

VIDEO: In a speech in California, John McCain says nothing is more urgent than regaining our energy security.

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 both McCain and fellow panelist 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 proposal to put the country on a path to building 45 new nuclear reactors by 2030.

Feeney also took issue with McCain's controversial proposal to lift the moratorium on offshore oil exploration: "It makes me nervous to think about those who are proposing to drain America's offshore oil and gas reserves as quickly as possible in the hopes of driving down the price of gasoline, because I think when you look at the good sources of information, were we to open up the California coast or the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge to drilling, it would be 12, 15, maybe 20 years before those resources came online and got to full productions."

Adding that some research shows that drilling in ANWR would only "reduce our dependence on foreign oil from 70% to 67%," Feeney added, "I'm not sure most Americans would think that's really worth the price of admission."

McCain listened respectfully to Feeney's comments and when he was finished the only topic that the candidate took issue with was Feeney's condemnation of nuclear power.

"My friend the technology is there," McCain said on dealing with spent nuclear fuel. "The Europeans do it. I mean it's safe, it's being done, so to think that that is going to require some pain on the American people economically when the Europeans, 80% of the French electricity is generated by nuclear power. They're doing fine."

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
The Obama camp is pressing to keep the Charlie Black flap alive, but not quite asking for him to be fired. Today, the Obama campaign hit McCain and Black with a conference call with 9/11 Commission member Richard Ben-Veniste.

"Charlie Black's statement that a new terrorist attack on U.S. soil would be a big advantage provides a candid and very disappointing glimpse into [what] one of his [McCain's] closest advisors [thinks]," Ben-Veniste said.

Ben-Veniste demurred when asked if Black should be fired. There should be a "call for a recalibration in the thinking… staying away from the politics of fear." He said it would be a "good idea" for McCain "to caution those … who've created this turmoil."

Ben-Veniste said he was particularly disappointed in McCain, who he called "a supporter of the 9/11 commission." "But his support of Bush's policies," Ben-Veniste said, adding, "put him at odds with Obama's 'principled' stands."

He cited particularly that "failure to complete the mission in Afghanistan," the "disgrace" that bin Laden is still alive and said the "ruinous war in Iraq has made us less safe."

Earlier in the campaign, McCain tried to take back his comments that his candidacy hinges, in large part, on success in Iraq.

"We should debate terrorism," Obama advisor Dennis McDonough said. "It's one that Barack Obama is willing to have."

He then rattled off several proposed debate questions. "Why haven't we captured Osama bin Laden? Why does Al Qaeda have a sanctuary in Pakistan? … Why isn't Afghanistan secured? Why haven't we finished the fight against the Taliban?"

[EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this post inaccurately attributed the last two paragraphs to Ben-Veniste and should have been McDonough.]

From NBC's Ken Strickland and Mark Murray
Hillary Clinton returns to the Senate this afternoon. Today, she'll attend the Senate Democrats weekly Tuesday luncheon in the Capitol, which is closed to the press.

And tomorrow, she'll attend a meeting with House Democrats, according to her office.

Meanwhile, the AP has this story out today: "Former President Clinton said through a spokesman Tuesday that he is committed to helping Barack Obama become president, his first comments in support of his wife's former rival since their primary ended three weeks ago."

Relations between the last Democratic president and the candidate who wants to be the next one are still frosty -- they still haven't spoken in the aftermath of the heated campaign. But Bill Clinton extended an offer to help in a one-sentence statement from spokesman Matt McKenna. '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,' McKenna said."

*** UPDATE *** As the motorcade pulled up outside the Capitol, dozens of young staffers/interns applauded as Clinton got out of the limo.

She shook several hands and greeted many of them as she walked up the Capitol steps into the building. She did not address reporters. 

Inside the Capitol, she was greeted by Sens. Schumer, Stabenow, and Mikulski. Mikuski said loudly, "We miss you. We need you."

As Clinton walked into the Democratic luncheon, there was enthusiastic applause

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
McCain camp continues to hit Obama on his declining public funding -- now with this Web video.

 

Note the last line over an Obama-like Horizon and sunbeams... "Change that works for him: Breaking his word."

Script:
OBAMA (2/16/08): "Don't tell me words don't matter."
OBAMA (6/29/06): "I strongly support public financing."
OBAMA (2/26/08): "I will sit down with John McCain and make sure that we have a system that works for everybody."
OBAMA (4/27/08): "I have promised that I will sit down with John McCain and talk about can we preserve a public system."
OBAMA (6/19/08): "We've made the decision not to participate in the public-financing system for the general election." On screen: "Mr. Obama is breaking his word." (The Washington Times, 6/20/08)
OBAMA (2/16/08): "Don't tell me words don't matter."
ON SCREEN: "His decision deals a body blow to his own reputation as a reform candidate." (The Boston Globe, 6/20/08)
OBAMA (2/16/08): "Don't tell me words don't matter."
ON SCREEN: "Opportunistic and cynical." (New Hampshire Union Leader, 6/20/08)
OBAMA (2/16/08): "Don't tell me words don't matter."
ON SCREEN: "A large and telling Obama flip-flop." (The Wall Street Journal, 6/20/08)
OBAMA (2/16/08): "Don't tell me words don't matter." On screen: "As disappointing as it is disingenuous." (The Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/20/08)
ON SCREEN: CHANGE That Works For Him: Breaking His Word

From NBC's Mark Murray
With so much attention on Obama's reversal on public financing, liberal bloggers like Arianna Huffington and Josh Marshall have wondered why McCain's own apparent flip flop on the subject hasn't received as much scrutiny.

Well, the Democratic National Committee is trying to change that by filing a lawsuit in US District Court in DC to force the Federal Election Commission to investigate McCain's decision to opt in the public matching funds system for the primaries, secure a loan based on those public funds, and then withdraw from the system after becoming the GOP front-runner. McCain, though, never actually received those public funds before opting out.

"The chairman of the FEC," the lawsuit states, "has already advised Sen. McCain that he is not free to withdraw unilaterally from his agreement with the FEC and to ignore the legal requirements of the Matching Payments Act, without the FEC's approval. Yet Sen. McCain cannot obtain such approval, because he already violated a key condition for dispensing with the Agreement by which he entered the matching funds program: he has pledged matching funds as collateral for a loan to his campaign."

Had McCain not opted out of the matching funds program, he would be limited in how much he can raise and spend up until the GOP convention -- which would put him at an enormous disadvantage against Obama's fundraising machine.

Republican National Committee chief counsel Sean Cairncross issued this statement in response to the DNC's lawsuit: "The law states that a candidate must actually receive public funds to be subject to the primary campaign spending limit. The McCain campaign never received any primary matching funds, and the campaign's lending bank has made clear that no entitlements to public funds were used as collateral to secure any loan. The DNC should spend more time explaining why its candidate broke his word to the American people on public financing and less time on reckless lawsuits. We are confident the FEC will throw this meritless complaint out and that the court will recognize it as a waste of judicial resources."

From NBC's Chuck Todd and Domenico Montanaro
Just days after McCain advocated lifting the moratorium on off-shore oil driling, the campaign chose to hold an environmental event -- an "Environmental Briefing with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger" -- in Santa Barbara, Calif. Why was Santa Barbara a poor choice? Well...

VIDEO: MSNBC's Contessa Brewer talks with John McCain's domestic policy advisor Nancy Pfotenhauer about the presumptive Republican presidential candidate's support of President Bush's call to lift the ban on offshore oil and gas drilling.

Per the LA Times: "In the winter of 1969, 3 million gallons of oil began leaking from an offshore drilling site off the Santa Barbara coast. It would eventually be contained, but the incident helped spark landmark environmental legislation to protect the nation's waters and air."

Just Monday, NPR wrote, "As the presidential hopefuls debate the pros and cons of offshore drilling, natives of Santa Barbara, California remember the huge spill of 1969. Many say that disaster was the catalyst for the U.S. environmental movement."

The Santa Barbara County League of Conservation Voters is planning a protest of McCain's event today.

For some background, per the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network and the University of California-Santa Barbara, "On the afternoon of January 29, 1969, an environmental nightmare began in Santa Barbara, California. A Union Oil Co. platform stationed six miles off the coast of Summerland suffered a blowout. Oil workers had drilled a well down 3500 feet below the ocean floor. Riggers began to retrieve the pipe in order to replace a drill bit when the "mud" used to maintain pressure became dangerously low. A natural gas blowout occurred. An initial attempt to cap the hole was successful but led to a tremendous buildup of pressure. The expanding mass created five breaks in an east-west fault on the ocean floor, releasing oil and gas from deep beneath the earth.

For eleven days, oil workers struggled to cap the rupture. During that time, 200,000 gallons of crude oil bubbled to the surface and was spread into a 800 square mile slick by winds and swells. Incoming tides brought the thick tar to beaches from Rincon Point to Goleta, marring 35 miles of coastline. Beaches with off-shore kelp forests were spared the worst as kelp fronds kept most of the tar from coming ashore. The slick also moved south, tarring Anacapa Island's Frenchy's Cove and beaches on Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and San Miguel Islands. ...

"It took oil workers 11 1/2; days to control the leaking oil well. Workers pumped chemical mud down the 3500 foot shaft at a rate of 1500 barrels an hour. It was then topped by a cement plug. Residual amounts of gas continued to escape and another leak sprung up weeks later, releasing oil for months to follow. ...

Union Oil's Platform A ruptured because of inadequate protective casing. The oil company had been given permission by the U.S. Geological Survey to cut corners and operate the platform with casings below federal and California standards. Investigators would later determine that more steel pipe sheating inside the drilling hole would have prevented the rupture.

Because the oil rig was beyond California's three-mile coastal zone, the rig did not have to comply with state standards. At the time, California drilling regulations were far more rigid those implied by the federal government. ...

In the spring following the oil spill, Earth Day was born nationwide. Many consider the publicity surrounding the oil spill a major impetus to the environmental movement.

Nixon said at the time, "It is sad that it was necessary that Santa Barbara should be the example that had to bring it to the attention of the American people. What is involved is the use of our resources of the sea and of the land in a more effective way and with more concern for preserving the beauty and the natural resources that are so important to any kind of society that we want for the future. The Santa Barbara incident has frankly touched the conscience of the American people."

*** UPDATE *** NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy reports 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 Obama supporters. Get Oil Out, or GOO, was started after the 1969 spill.

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** Charlie Black's gaffe: Yesterday, McCain chief strategist Charlie Black -- who already has drawn controversy for his past lobbyist work -- made one of those classic Washington gaffes, as Michael Kinsley once put it: accidentally speaking a truth that many people on both sides of the aisle believe. In an interview with Fortune, Black said that a terrorist attack would be a "big advantage" to McCain, a comment the all-but-certain GOP candidate immediately distanced himself from. Not only did the controversy distract McCain from his message of the day (that $300 million prize for inventing a new car battery), but it also resurrected the politics of 2004, which as we've argued before might not benefit McCain's prospects. But for what it's worth, there's been chatter among some Democrats that the big fear Obama aides have is just what Black spoke about -- some sort of national security crisis popping up in October. This is why most Democrats who have given their two cents to the Obama VP vetters seem to come away convinced Obama will picked a No. 2 who has obvious national security credentials. That said, what the impact of a national security crisis in October is unknown for this reason: It depends on who initiates it. If it's an outside force, then Black's probably right. But if it's something that President Bush sparks, then Obama could benefit.

VIDEO: NBC Political Director Chuck Todd gives his first read on McCain adviser Charlie Black's comment that a terrorist attack would be a "big advantage" to his campaign.

*** Off-message on offshore drilling? That Charlie Black comment wasn't McCain's only off-message moment yesterday. At a town hall in Fresno, CA, McCain admitted that the offshore drilling proposal he unveiled last week would probably have mostly "psychological" benefits, NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy notes. "Even though it may take some years, the fact that we are exploiting those reserves would have psychological impact that I think is beneficial." Uh oh. Then at a fundraiser in tony (and coastal) Santa Barbara, one attendee took issue with McCain's offshore drilling proposal, according to the pool report. "We're really kind of goosey here about oil spills, and we're goosey here about federal drilling and oil lands, which are abundant offshore," the attendee said. "So we ask you to look out there to the south and the southeast and remember the greatest environmental catastrophe that's hit this state and then balance that with the notion of winning California." Today, McCain remains in Santa Barbara, where he holds a briefing on the environment with Gov. Schwarzenegger, who also opposes the offshore measure. Even though public polls show that majorities support lifting the ban on offshore drilling, McCain isn't having an easy time with the issue when campaigning on the coasts.

*** The enthusiasm gap: Two polls in the last two days signal a big problem McCain has, and it's perhaps why it's so important that James Dobson is going after Obama, accusing him "of distorting the Bible and pushing a 'fruitcake interpretation' of the Constitution," the AP says. In the Newsweek poll showing Obama sporting a 15-point lead, the reason for that large lead had to do with the 19-point party identification gap between the Democrats and Republicans. Bottom line: All pollsters these days are finding fewer and fewer folks wanting to call themselves Republicans. And in the USA Today/Gallup poll, 61% of Democrats said they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting in November, while just 35% of Republicans said that. This goes to the heart of the two-fold problem McCain's facing: 1) unhappiness over Bush has driven some Republicans away from the GOP and into either the indie camp or even to the Democrats and 2) some conservatives are just not happy about McCain. Perhaps James Dobson's shot across the bow against Obama will, at a minimum, create uneasiness among evangelicals and move these voters back in McCain's column, even if unenthusiastically.

*** Rove as catnip: Karl Rove has become to the media this cycle what Dick Morris was for a period of time in the late '90s: media catnip. Whatever Rove says these days -- be it at an event or in a column -- it seems to carry extra cachet with members of the media. We're all fascinated with how Rove's brain works (so fascinated, in fact, a couple of reporters got book deal profiling Rove's brain). But the McCain folks, whether they are actually using Rove or not, seem to benefit every time. Rove is able to start cable conversations with some of his observations, whether it's an over-the-top description of Obama as a country club Democrat or with his electoral maps. But then again, Rove -- even though he no longer works for him -- is tied in voters' minds to the president with the 28% approval rating. Still, this power Rove still has with the political media is something that McCain's campaign is likely going to attempt to bottle and use at their own will. Rove's independence was helped earlier this week when he attacked both McCain and Obama on the economy.

VIDEO: John McCain has proposed weekly town hall-style debates with Barack Obama leading up to the Democratic convention, but so far Obama hasn't accepted. Should he take McCain up on his offer? A Hardball panel discusses.

*** Two just askin's: How has it Obama hasn't agreed to a town hall schedule with McCain yet? The time between now and the debate season, which begins in late September, is getting smaller and smaller… Also, with the new media narrative that there is in fact progress going on in Iraq -- see Saturday's New York Times story, for example -- how does that impact the Obama-McCain contest? And as conservative commentator Jennifer Rubin asks, can the McCain camp turn it to its advantage? 
 
*** Mr. Hollywood: Later today, Obama heads to Hollywood for a fundraiser that will include, as the AP reported yesterday, Samuel L. Jackson, Dennis Quaid, Cindy Crawford and Sugar Ray Leonard. Remember: It was around this time in 2004 when Whoopi Goldberg delivered X-rated insults at President Bush at star-studded fundraiser for Kerry in New York -- which turned into a distraction for the Kerry campaign. The AP says that tickets for today's event are priced at $30,000, with the money split between Obama's campaign and the DNC.

*** On the trail: McCain remains in California, holding a discussion on the environment in Santa Barbara and raising money in Riverside and Newport Beach. Obama is in Las Vegas, where he has a discussion on energy and the economy before hitting that Los Angeles fundraiser mentioned above.

Countdown to Dem convention: 62 days
Countdown to GOP convention: 69 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 133 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 210 days
 
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Yesterday, McCain admitted that his offshore drilling proposal would probably have mostly "psychological" benefits, NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy reports. At a town hall in Fresno that primarily focused on energy issues, McCain was asked a question about the price of gas and the viability of various short-term solutions.

VIDEO: Obama supporter, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., and McCain supporter, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., discuss their candidates' differing views on offshore drilling with NBC's Brian Williams on "Meet the Press."

"In the short term I'd like to give you a little relief for the summer on the gas tax," McCain began, referring to his controversial proposal to temporarily suspend the federal tax on gasoline. But then he made a surprisingly candid admission: "I don't see an immediate relief, but I do see that exploitation of existing reserves that may exist -- and in view of many experts that do exist off our coasts -- is also a way that we need to provide relief. Even though it may take some years, the fact that we are exploiting those reserves would have psychological impact that I think is beneficial."

The Los Angeles Times: "In a visit to Fresno on Monday, McCain did not bring up offshore drilling, instead emphasizing alternative energy sources such as alcohol fuels and announcing a  $300-million challenge to develop a more efficient electric car battery. In response to a question, he said he still did not favor drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge because it was pristine. When pressed, he declined to say whether the California coast was any less so, but argued that offshore drilling was safe. 'I envision they would be somewhat further offshore but that would be, again, a decision by the people of this state,' said McCain, who has said his views changed because of the impact gas prices are having on everyday Americans and concerns about the nation's dependence on foreign powers."

The AP: "Like two rival filling-station owners across the highway in long-bygone price wars, Democratic Sen. Barack Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain keep putting up flashy signs and offering new incentives in hopes of attracting customers battered by $4 gas prices." More: "Yet energy experts and economists -- and even some of the candidates' own advisers -- say none of their signature proposals will have any impact on $4 gasoline or $130 a barrel oil in the near term, or even the intermediate term. Is it open season for pandering?"

During the Q&A part of a fundraiser in Santa Barbara yesterday -- moments after McCain made his pitch that Republicans cannot afford to write off California -- the candidate was asked about his position on offshore drilling, according to the pool report. "Santa Barbara has among other things a great natural beauty -- one of our great natural beauties lies before you out there to the South," questioner Dan Secord said, gesturing toward the ocean. "We're really kind of goosey here about oil spills, and we're goosey here about federal drilling and oil lands, which are abundant offshore. So we ask you to look out there to the south and the southeast and remember the greatest environmental catastrophe that's hit this state and then balance that with the notion of winning California. This is a vibrating blue city and a vibrating state, and it's gonna be a tough haul," Secord said.

"This gathering is adjourned," McCain jokingly replied, as he's accustomed to do. McCain noted that Gov. Schwarzenegger disagrees with him on the issue, but that Florida Gov. Charlie Crist agrees. He stressed that he believes in state's rights. McCain then cited the examples of Louisiana and Texas, noting they have allowed drilling and weathered two devastating hurricanes with minimal or no oil spills. "I think the environmental situation is today -- that we could probably do that," McCain said. "But I don't want to override the state of California."

Secord told the pool reporter that he's a member of the California Coastal Commission, but as soon as the reporter started to interview him, a McCain aide said the reporter needed to leave and get into the motorcade. Secord said he is a supporter of McCain's and has contributed to the campaign. "We support people who don't agree with us a 100%," Secord said. "I feel disappointment about the cavalier resumption of offshore drilling, and I'm not so sure that it's a deal related to national security so much."

Per NBC's Caroline Gransee, both the Obama campaign and the California Democratic Party held conference calls yesterday to criticize McCain's offshore drilling proposal. On the California Dem call, Sen. Barbara Boxer said that McCain is "going about this in the same old way. Drill, drill, drill" -- and that "it is a phony answer to a real problem." Also on the call was Rep. Lois Capps who echoed Boxer's opinion that "we cannot drill our way out this problem." It is drilling that has "brought us the $4-gallon gas," Capps claim. Both officials stated that offshore drilling would only hurt California's coastal economy, and instead, they urged oil companies to tap into the leased land that they are not drilling in hopes of lowering the prices at the pump.

McCain chief strategist Charlie Black yesterday "said that a terrorist attack in the United States would be a political benefit to the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, a comment that was immediately disputed by the candidate and denounced by his Democratic rival," the Washington Post writes. "The comment reinjected the fear of terrorism into the campaign as both candidates had been shifting their conversation to the economy and $4-per-gallon gasoline. It also vividly recalled the 2004 contest between President Bush and Democratic Sen. John F. Kerry, in which Republicans repeatedly questioned Kerry's ability to protect the country from terrorists."

"The comments also returned the political spotlight to McCain's advisers and, in particular, to Black, who has drawn criticism for his long lobbying career and his representation of controversial foreign governments. McCain has been criticized for surrounding himself with top advisers who were lobbyists."

Black's "remarks caught McCain flat-footed on a day when he focused on energy issues -- first in a speech, then at a town-hall meeting and then during a news conference as he stood beside two $100,000 electric cars," the AP adds.

The New York Sun notes McCain's idea for a cash reward in exchange for someone who comes up with a zero emission car battery was inspired by Newt Gingrich, who has long advocated more cash rewards for new government ideas. 

Cindy McCain will host a fundraiser in London Thursday. "The evening event was expected to raise more than $500,000 for the Arizona senator's presidential bid, a person familiar with the planning said Monday," the AP says. "Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger was scheduled to join Cindy McCain as a headliner of the event… John McCain was criticized for holding a campaign fundraiser in London in March, shortly after he clinched the GOP nomination, as he returned from a Senate trip to Europe and the Middle East. He reimbursed the U.S. government for part of the cost of the trip, under terms reviewed by the Federal Election Commission and the Senate Ethics Committee."
 
If you notice John McCain with bandages on his head, it's because of a scrape he got while getting out of a car in Canada, his campaign said.

The Washington Post reports why Obama picked New Hampshire for his first joint event with Clinton. "New Hampshire is also the state in which Clinton first demonstrated her strong connection with older, working-class women, a group that Sen. John McCain, the presumptive GOP nominee, is now working hard to attract by lauding Clinton and depicting Obama as inexperienced."

VIDEO: With Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton agreeing to hit the campaign trail together next week, will the Democratic Party finally be united? Newsweek's Jonathan Alter discusses.

NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli, who was the campaign embed covering the state of New Hampshire last year, has some notes on the town where Obama and Clinton will appear: Unity, NH:
-- The town was first incorporated as Buckingham in 1753, and now has a population of 1,715. According to a state Web site, the town was renamed Unity in 1764 after the "friendly resolution" of a land dispute.
-- According to the 2000 census, the population is 1,535. The ocasionally accurate Wikipedia says the demographics are: 99.35 percent white, 0.07 percent African American (I did the calculation, and that would be equal to one person).
-- Unity is about 60 miles from Manchester, mostly on local roads. The seldom-reliable estimate from Google Maps calls for about a 90-minute drive time.
-- By my recollection, not one candidate visited Unity during the entire New Hampshire primary campaign. Claremont, about 15 minutes away, did see its share of visitors, mostly on the Democratic side.
-- Obama and Clinton did indeed tie with 107 votes in the Democratic primary. Edwards got 78, Richardson 15, Kucinich 2, and Biden and Gravel each got 1. Chris Dodd? Nothin' (though to be fair, he had dropped out already).
-- McCain got 81 votes on the Republican side, beating Romney who had 70. Huckabee was third with 21, followed by Rudy with 20. Duncan Hunter had 2, two more than Dodd.

The Boston Globe also notes that Unity has no high-speed Internet, no restaurants or gas stations, not even a traffic light."

"But experts and Clinton loyalists say it will take more than a town called Unity or a coincidental tie in a primary vote to bring the two camps together," the New York Daily News writes. "A more significant unity event is set for Thursday night when Clinton and Obama huddle privately in Washington with Hillary's deep-pocketed donors and fund-raisers."

Obama was in New Mexico yesterday focusing on women's issues. "Obama challenged the women's rights record of his Republican rival, John McCain, on Monday as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee stepped up efforts to win over female voters. Opening a Southwest campaign swing here at a baked-goods business, Illinois Sen. Obama criticized Arizona Sen. McCain for opposing a bill that would make it easier for women to sue for pay discrimination."

Before Michelle Obama headlined a fundraiser for her husband last night in Washington, she met with a small group of female Hillary Clinton donors, NBC/NJ's Matthew E. Berger reports.

Here's an inevitable story that most Dem nominees face. The Wall Street Journal's headline: "Obama Tilts Toward Center, Irking Some Activists" 

The New York Times examines how Muslims, once excited about Obama's candidacy, are now upset with him. "While the senator has visited churches and synagogues, he has yet to appear at a single mosque. Muslim and Arab-American organizations have tried repeatedly to arrange meetings with Mr. Obama, but officials with those groups say their invitations — unlike those of their Jewish and Christian counterparts — have been ignored. Last week, two Muslim women wearing head scarves were barred by campaign volunteers from appearing behind Mr. Obama at a rally in Detroit."

"In interviews, Muslim political and civic leaders said they understood that their support for Mr. Obama could be a problem for him at a time when some Americans are deeply suspicious of Muslims. Yet those leaders nonetheless expressed disappointment and even anger at the distance that Mr. Obama has kept from them."

Of course, this is a damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don't situation for Obama. As Mike Barnicle said on Morning Joe today, if Obama visited a mosque to court Muslim voters, we in the media would cover the moment so obsessively that 30% of the country would think Obama was indeed Muslim by the time we were through with him.

Focus on the Family's James Dobson may not be showing a lot of love FOR McCain, but he's doing him a favor today by going after Obama. Perhaps there is some nervousness by folks like Dobson that Obama's making some progress among some evangelicals. Per the AP, Dobson accuses Obama "of distorting the Bible and pushing a 'fruitcake interpretation' of the Constitution."

"The criticism, to be aired Tuesday on Dobson's Focus on the Family radio program, comes shortly after an Obama aide suggested a meeting at the organization's headquarters here, said Tom Minnery, senior vice president for government and public policy at Focus on the Family. The conservative Christian group provided The Associated Press with an advance copy of the pre-taped radio segment, which runs 18 minutes and highlights excerpts of a speech Obama gave in June 2006 to the liberal Christian group Call to Renewal. Obama mentions Dobson in the speech."

Dobson took aim at examples Obama cited in asking which Biblical passages should guide public policy -- chapters like Leviticus, which Obama said suggests slavery is OK and eating shellfish is an abomination, or Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, 'a passage that is so radical that it's doubtful that our own Defense Department would survive its application.'"

The AP previews Obama's Hollywood fundraiser. "Obama's gala fundraiser Tuesday will attract the mandatory lineup of big-screen talent and boldface names -- actors Samuel L. Jackson and Dennis Quaid, model Cindy Crawford and boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard -- and confirm again that the entertainment industry remains one of the most reliable and abundant sources of Democratic campaign cash. ...Top tickets are priced at more than $30,000, with the money divided between the Obama campaign and the Democratic National Committee."

On Morning Joe, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty was asked by MSNBC's Mika Brzezinski what would make him a good running mate, and he demurred. "I don't think it's up to me to decide that," Pawlenty said, pivoting instead to McCain's strengths. "He will find a vice president that will amplify his strengths."
 

VIDEO: The New York Time's Mark Leibovich discusses his take on possible VP candidates and their role in the presidential race.

He also called Charlie Black's comments "inappropriate." "I think Charlie was just trying to emphasize rightly that Sen. McCain is stronger on national security. But the way he said it was inappropriate."

Huckabee sat down for an interview with Reuters while in Japan and told the news service that he'd accept the veep slot if asked, but doesn't expect to be asked. He also weighed in on the Democratic veep selection process and said he doesn't think an Obama-Clinton ticket would happen, because of "some real tensions."

NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli has more on the veepstakes front… The AP profiles McCain vetter Arthur B. Culvahouse. "Culvahouse has been involved in vetting people for positions at all levels of government for three decades, roles he's gotten partly because of his reputation for under-the-radar maneuvering." 
 
Roll Call says former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge failed for nearly two years to register a $500,000 lobbying contract. 
 
The New York Times looks at Jindal's handling of the legislative pay raise. Jindal had been propelled "into the front ranks of Senator John McCain's possible running-mate choices. But now some conservative critics are saying the pay-increase episode demonstrates weakness as well as Mr. Jindal's unreadiness for the prime time of the vice presidency." 
 
Has drilling taken its toll? A Miami Herald poll of South Florida voters finds Crist's approval rating down for the first time in his 18 months as governor. 
 
Sen. Evan Bayh's (D-IN) press secretary is going to head up Obama's press shop in Indiana. 
 
Chris Dodd is again denying he got special treatment from Countrywide Financial, and says the controversy won't hurt his standing to handle the mortgage crisis. 
 
In case there was any doubt, Obama spokesman Reid Cherlin "threw cold water on the rumor" that Obama will announce Hillary Clinton as his running Friday.

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli
THE SHORT LIST
Marc Ambinder reports that both the Obama and McCain camps will likely announce in early August, with both aware of the Olympics starting August 8.

VIDEO: Questions are intensifying as to who each presidential candidate will pick as his running mate. MSNBC Political Analyst Howard Fineman and The Politico's Roger Simon join guest host Mike Barnicle and look at the veepstakes.

WHAT THEY'RE UP TO:
- Hillary Clinton is asking supporters for help with her campaign debt.
- Gov. Charlie Crist (R-FL) is addressing the U.S. Conference of Mayors 
- Rob Portman (R-OH) says he'll decide by the end of this year if he'll run for Ohio Governor or Senate in 2010.
- Gov. Tim Kaine (D-VA) convened a special session of the VA Assembly on transportation funding.
- Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA) won't hold a traditional post-session press conference with state legislators this week, instead opting for a solo event after they've left town.
- Fred Thompson blogs about the Guantanamo decision at Real Clear Politics. 
- Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) will be taking viewer questions on CNN tomorrow.  

ON THE RECORD:
Elizabeth Edwards was asked on "GMA" about speculation her husband may be on the ticket again. "This is not a subject of conversation at our house. ... We're both going to work as hard as we can to make certain that Senator Obama is the president. And we'll let everything else take care of itself."

BUZZ METER:
Mitt Romney's former chair in NJ, Joe Kyrillos, likes the sound of McCain-Romney, not surprisingly. He says there is now a "real warmth" between the two. 

Andrew Romano runs down the Pawlenty speculation, saying that despite "the faddish feel of the current Pawlenty chatter, he's long been considered a top veep possibility," and started lobbying fellow governors in 2006. 

Joe Klein hears that McCain is frustrated with the process because he can't go with his personal favorites – led by Tom Ridge.  

CHATTERING CLASS:
Don Frederick thinks Tim Pawlenty better stop telling jokes that include his wife.

From NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy
A senior campaign official said Black did not remember making the comments in Fortune, but did not dispute the comment. The context of Black's argument in the interview, the official said, was that John McCain is favored on national security issues and that any day that national security leads the news is a good day for McCain.

Outside McCain's Fresno fundraiser, Black read his statement, soon to be released by the campaign, from his handwritten notes. "I deeply regret the comments -- they were inappropriate. I recognize that John McCain had devoted his entire adult life to protecting this country ... and placing its security above every other consideration."

Fortune had reported 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." 

*** UPDATE *** Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton writes in response: "Barack Obama welcomes a debate about terrorism with John McCain, who has fully supported the Bush policies that have taken our eye off of al Qaeda, failed to bring Osama bin Laden to justice, and made us less safe. The fact that John McCain's top advisor says that a terrorist attack on American soil would be a 'big advantage' for their political campaign is a complete disgrace, and is exactly the kind of politics that needs to change. Barack Obama will turn the page on these failed policies and this cynical and divisive brand of politics so that we can unite this nation around a common purpose to finish the fight against al Qaeda."

From NBC/NJ's Athena Jones
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Obama launched the third week of a tour focused on the economy, an issue at the top of voters' minds this election year, with a roundtable discussion with a group of women workers at a female-owned café here Monday.
 

VIDEO: Sens. Barbara Boxer, Clare McCaskill and Beddie Sabato acknowledge the difficulties both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama faced in their campaigns, and go through their list of the most important issues for women that need to be addressed by the next administration.

In his brief opening remarks, he talked about his support for legislation to ensure equal pay for women, expanding family and medical leave as well as the tax credit for children and dependents and his plans to offer more after-school and early education programs. He began by talking about his appreciation for working women, noting that he was raised by a single mother, and about his grandmother who rose to become a bank vice president. He also talked about his wife.
 
"I am here because of my wife Michelle, who is the rock of the Obama family and who worked her way up from modest roots on the South Side of Chicago, and who's juggled jobs and parenting with more skill and grace than anybody that I know and looks good doing it too," he said to laughter. "Michelle and I want our two daughters, Malia and Sasha, to grow up in an America where they have the freedom and opportunity to live their dreams and raise their own families."
 
Obama said women in America had come a long way but still faced obstacles, including a lack of equal pay, due in part to an federal policies that have not valued families. He argued John McCain's record on women's issues was lacking, saying he was a better choice.
 
The senator talked about having co-sponsored a bill -- the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act -- that would have reversed a Supreme Court decision last year that made it harder for women to challenge pay discrimination. He criticized McCain for not supporting the bill and suggesting that the reason women were paid less was because they need more education and training, not because of discrimination.
 
"John McCain has it wrong. He said the Fair Pay Restoration Act 'opens us up to lawsuits for all kinds of problems.' But I can't think of any problem more important than making sure that women are getting a square deal on the job. It's a matter of equality. It's a matter of fairness," Obama said. "That's why I stood up for equal pay in the Illinois State Senate, when I was in the state legislature, and helped pass a law to give 330,000 more women protection from paycheck discrimination. That's why I've been fighting to pass legislation in the Senate, so that employers don't get away with discriminating against hardworking women like Lilly Ledbetter.  And that's why I'll continue to stand up for equal pay as president. Sen. McCain won't, and that's a real difference in this election."
 
Obama said he would expand a tax credit that would help working families get up a 50 percent credit for child-care expenses, double funding for afterschool programs and invest in early childhood education. He criticized the Arizona senator for proposing tax cuts he said favor mainly the very wealthy and said he did not have a plan to expand paid family and medical leave.
 
The presumptive Democratic nominee was introduced by New Mexico's Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, a former Clinton supporter who said she was now supporting him.
 
"I was an early and enthusiastic supporter of Sen. Clinton, who I felt like was an incredible candidate. But I also made it clear every step of the way during this primary process that I would be supporting the best Democratic candidate to replace the Republican administration that we have frankly suffered under for the last eight years," Denish said. "Today Barack Obama is that man. We know one thing, John McCain is not that man."
 
The focus on issues of concern to women is important for the Obama campaign as it aims to make sure those women who supported his former rival Hillary Clinton come to his camp and not McCain's. Denish is the latest in a string of Clinton supporters -- and the second major female supporter, the first was Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm – to speak on behalf of Obama at an event in the last week. Today's discussion begins a week that will end with Obama and Clinton campaigning together in New Hampshire in the city of Unity, a town they split evenly in the Jan. 8 primary.
 
Also in attendance was the First Lady of New Mexico Barbara Richardson and Obama closed his opening remarks by hailing her, Denish and Clinton.
 
"I know that we've drawn closer to this America because of extraordinary women, women like the lieutenant governor and your first lady, the extraordinary woman who I shared a stage with so many times throughout this campaign -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton," he said. "And in the months and years ahead, I look forward to working with her and to women all across the country 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.
 
Obama spent about 40 minutes answering questions from the group of about 25 women on paying for education, healthcare, taxes, encouraging small business development and how to help women who are victims of domestic violence.

*** UPDATE *** The McCain campaign responds this way: "When talking about his campaign against Senator Clinton, Barack Obama said that women voters are going to 'get over it' when they get to know John McCain's record. When you consider women are a major driving force behind small business start-ups in this country, Barack Obama's proposals to raise taxes on millions of small businesses isn't going to help women voters 'get over it'.  Additionally, Barack Obama's plan to put government in between women and their personal physicians isn't going to help them 'get over it' either."

From NBC's Jim Miklaszewski and Courtney Kube
The Pentagon today nominated the first woman in history to be a four-star general in the Army.

Lt. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody was nominated to the rank of general and, if confirmed by Congress, will be assigned to be commanding general of U.S. Army Materiel Command.

The U.S. Army says that approximately five percent of general officers in the Army are women, which includes mobilized Army Reserve and Army National Guard general officers.

Dunwoody has been in the Army for 33 years, after graduating from State University of New York and receiving her commission in 1975.

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
A terrorist attack would benefit McCain, says McCain adviser Charlie Black…
And… Karl Rove says Obama reminds him of "the guy at the country club with the beautiful date, holding a martini and a cigarette that stands against the wall and makes snide comments about everyone who passes by."

From Fortune: "On national security McCain wins. We saw how that might play out early in the campaign, when one good scare, one timely reminder of the chaos lurking in the world, probably saved McCain in New Hampshire, a state he had to win to save his candidacy - this according to McCain's chief strategist, Charlie Black. 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."

AmericaBlog, in response, says, "John McCain really is running Bush's 2004 campaign all over again. The politics of fear are front and center."

Then this from Karl Rove: At the Capitol Hill Club, Rove referred to Obama as "coolly arrogant," per ABC. "Even if you never met him, you know this guy," Rove said. "He's the guy at the country club with the beautiful date, holding a martini and a cigarette that stands against the wall and makes snide comments about everyone who passes by."

Remember back in April, Rove told GQ, "Obama is coolly detached and very arrogant. I think he's very smart and knows he's smart, but as a result doesn't do his homework."

Of the latest comments, TPM's Greg Sargent writes: "It should also be noted, of course, that Rove took a man who actually is a country club denizen who makes "snide comments" about others -- that would be George W. Bush -- and turned him into a regular Joe. Meanwhile, the guy who would struggle for admittance to some of these exclusive enclaves -- Obama -- is now "the guy at the country club." Rovian up-is-downism at its finest."

*** UPDATE *** McCain seemed unaware of Black's comments and objected to them. "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 committee to 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."

 

From NBC's Mark Murray
In the past few weeks, Republicans have attacked controversial Obama advisers -- like veep-vetters Jim Johnson (who stepped down from that post) and Eric Holder (who has become their chief target now with Johnson gone).

The Democratic National Committee, however, is making sure that the public doesn't forget about McCain's own advisers and their controversies. Today, it unveiled a Web site -- dubbed "With Advisers Like These..." -- that takes aim at former US Sen. Phil Gramm, Carly Fiorina, and Douglas Holtz-Eakin.

In particular, Democrats have singled out Gramm, whom McCain has called the smartest economist and political strategist he knows, for helping to exempt energy trading from regulation and oversight -- what Obama yesterday called the "Enron loophole."