In the Headlines

"New poll shows Obama ahead, with ominous signs for McCain" (David Lightman, McClatchy) - Among all voters, Democrat Barack Obama leads Republican John McCain by 48 to 40 percent. Pew polled 2,004 people by land line and cell phone from June 18 to 29. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.

"McCain has best fundraising in June, $22M" (Jim Kuhnhenn, AP) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain raised more than $22 million in June, his best fundraising performance of the year, and ended the month with nearly $27 million cash on hand.

"McCain disagrees with adviser's 'whiners' remark" (Liz Sidoti, AP) - Republican John McCain distanced himself from an economic adviser who dubbed the United States "a nation of whiners" in a "mental recession" as Democrat Barack Obama turned the remarks against his rival.

"Obama walks the abortion minefield" (Carrie Brown, The Politico) - For the past week, some activists in the abortion rights community have been trying to figure out why Barack Obama, a Democrat praised for his strong defense of reproductive rights, appeared to be turning soft.

On the Morning Shows

Good Morning America - John Edwards, after an ABC report quoting commanders in Iraq saying a withdrawal needs to be conditioned-based: "Barack Obama has said he's going to go to Iraq, discuss the situation with the commanders on the ground, but he hasn't changed his policy. Barack Obama has said he will bring this war to an end, John McCain has said we can be in Iraq for 100 years."

Fox and Friends - Bill Richardson, on Iran: "The way to do deal with that is talk to [the Iranians] directly, be tough with them. ... There are a lot of moderate forces there.... When you don't talk to them you really don't know what their intentions are."

On VP rumors, including Chuck Hagel: "That's [Obama's] choice. ... I think he has plenty of time. ... Sen. Hagel probably could serve in a Democratic administration."

Howard Wolfson, on Clinton VP vetting rumors: "I'm not aware of any formal process, but you know Hillary Clinton has been vetted the past 18 months. ... In many respects, she's the most vetted person in America over the past 30 years."

From Late Night

Jay Leno:

(Greg Bobrinskoy contributed to the Morning Report.)