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- The big news today is that Barack Obama pulled in $52 million in June -- his second largest monthly haul since the campaign began. Only $2 million is for the general election, although after the convention primary money can be rolled over into his general election account. The DNC raised $22 million in June, giving it and Obama a combined $92 million cash-on-hand compared to McCain and the RNC's $95 million war chest.
- Domenico Montanaro observes that because the the Republicans believe the only shot they have at political survival is winning the White House, the GOP's resources are going to disappear for down-ticket candidates as they concentrate on beating Barack Obama.
- James Carney has a story in Time on the turbulent relationship between George W. Bush and John McCain. The most chilling segment relates a moment in 2002 when McCain glimpsed the megalomania and ignorance of Bush as the White House geared up for war with Iraq.
- Contrary to reports that state Democrats are getting the cold shoulder from Obama, Roll Call reports that the Obama campaign is automatically funneling a portion of checks written to his campaign to the local parties of the 18 Obama-defined battleground states.
- Marc Ambinder asks "when was the last time a Democratic candidate for president opened six campaign offices in Montana?" before noting that Obama has done just that with offices in Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Helena and Missoula.
- The Raleigh News and Observer reports that Democrats are pumping millions into Kay Hagan's challenge to Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole in North Carolina. And Rasmussen has Barack Obama down by only three points in the Tar Heel state, 45-42.
- The New Yorker and The Wall Street Journal each have profiles of Freedom's Watch backer and right-wing casino magnate Sheldon Adelson.
- Speaking to supporters in Nebraska, John McCain admitted that he is playing defensive against Barack Obama in the Cornhusker state. Bush beat John Kerry there in 2004 by 35 points.
- Katha Pollitt expresses her anger about the fact that the MSM isn't paying more attention to the fact that John McCain opposes contraception, an observation Dana has made in the past.
- Pew reports on efforts by pollsters to track the effect on polling results of voters who only own cellphones (as opposed to landines).
--Mori Dinauer
