AFP - A majority of Americans believe that Democratic candidate Barack Obama will win the presidential election against Republican hopeful John McCain in November, a Fox News poll showed Thursday.

AP - House Republicans on Thursday scuttled a bill that Democrats hoped would help lower gasoline prices by forcing the Energy Department to release 70 million barrels of oil — about a three-day supply — from the national stockpile.

AP - Obama tells enormous Berlin crowd there are more walls to be torn down in fighting extremism ... With Obama in Berlin, McCain visits German restaurant in Ohio ... Hagel calls on candidates to focus on Iraq's future over past war strategy ... Rice not worried by Obama's foreign policy forays overseas ... Poll: Obama builds support among Hispanic voters ... Police seek to soften protesters' disruptions at GOP convention

AFP - A majority of Americans believe that Democratic candidate Barack Obama will win the presidential election against Republican hopeful John McCain in November, a Fox News poll showed Thursday.

CQPolitics.com - The Senate Conservatives Fund (SCF), South Carolina Republican Jim DeMint's new "leadership" political action committee (PAC), endorsed former Rep. Bob Schaffer on Thursday as he tries to keep the seat of retiring Colorado Sen. Wayne Allard in Republican hands.

AP - Borrowing from a European model, Minneapolis and St. Paul police hope to quell any disruptions at this summer's Republican National Convention by exchanging cell phone numbers and offering other olive branches to demonstrators.

CQPolitics.com - Drill, drill, drill is the message Americans want to hear on energy and GOP candidates should stay on that message, former Speaker Newt Gingrich told House Republicans Wednesday.

AP - Quotes from John McCain, the Republican nominee-in-waiting.

AP - Supporters of maverick Rep. Ron Paul who are organizing a rally as an alternative to the Republican National Convention are moving their crosstown event to a larger venue.

AP - President Bush is hoping that this will be the year his party ousts Democratic Rep. Jim Marshall from Congress and he came to Georgia on Tuesday to pump money into the campaign of Marshall's challenger.

AP - Obama says he'll work for Mideast peace — Israelis, Palestinians need to be stronger, unified ... Speculation increases about a McCain running mate ... Obama sees security progress in Iraq; calls situation in Afghanistan 'perilous'... Ron Paul supporters secure larger venue for event to rival GOP convention ... Obama to bask in Europe's adulation amid hopes for new era in America politics

CQPolitics.com - House Democrats' campaign arm raised more than $10 million in June, once again outpacing its Republican counterpart committee in fundraising while plotting to augment its 236-199 majority in the November elections.

AP - Construction crews began removing row after row of Xcel Energy Center seats. Forklift drivers slid load after load of electrical equipment off semi trucks. And the arena's manager handed over a ceremonial key to the building.

AP - Most lawmakers dream of getting their names linked to legislation. That won't be so when the Senate takes up what is unofficially being called the "Coburn Omnibus."

AP - Obama gets withdrawal support from Iraqis, military briefing, helicopter tour from Petraeus ... McCain releases energy attack ad, questions Obama's credentials as rival tours war zone ... GOP counting on convention planning, venue to lift McCain's prospects in November ... Obama cuts back on spending in June as he builds up cash reserves

AFP - Republican White House hopeful John McCain is campaigning this week in states crucial to victory in the November election while the media spotlight shines on Democratic rival Barack Obama's trip abroad.

AP - Republicans are counting on a glitch-free convention to help lift the party's sagging morale and boost John McCain's presidential prospects when they assemble in this picturesque city on the Mississippi River in six weeks.

AP - Former Texas Sen. Phil Gramm resigned Friday from his role as GOP presidential candidate John McCain's campaign co-chairman, hoping to quiet the uproar that followed his comments that the United States had become a "nation of whiners" whose constant complaints about the U.S. economy show they are in a "mental recession."

AFP - Republican White House hopeful John McCain on Friday predicted a surge of militant attacks in Iraq around the time of the US election in November.

AP - President Bush, in the second half of a Southwestern fundraising trip Friday, backed the candidacy of Republican Pete Olson, who is challenging incumbent Rep. Nick Lampson in Texas' 22nd congressional district.