In the Headlines

"McCain gains on Obama in poll" (Jill Lawrence, USA Today) - Republican John McCain gained ground in a new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll that found Democrat Barack Obama's highly publicized foreign trip has not broadened confidence in his ability to be commander of the U.S. military.

"Kaine in 'Serious' Talks With Obama" (Michael D. Shear and Shailagh Murray, Washington Post) - Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has told close associates that he has had "very serious" conversations with Sen. Barack Obama about joining the Democratic presidential ticket and has provided documents to the campaign as it combs through his background, according to several sources close to Kaine.

"McCain backs off his no-new-tax pledge" (Charles Babington, AP) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain drew a sharp rebuke Monday from conservatives after he signaled an openness to a higher payroll tax for Social Security, contrary to previous vows not to raise taxes of any kind.

"A Canceled Obama Visit, and the Story Behind It" (Jeff Zeleny, New York Times) - For four days, Senator John McCain has sought to keep alive a story about how Senator Barack Obama called off a visit to American troops recuperating from war wounds at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.

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