In the Headlines

"G.O.P. Drops in Voting Rolls in Many States" (Jennifer Steinhauer, New York Times) - For more than three years starting in 2005, there has been a reduction in the number of voters who register with the Republican Party and a rise among voters who affiliate with Democrats and, almost as often, with no party at all.

"Race-card flap reopens Clinton camp wounds " (Ben Smith, The Politico) - The Clintons and their allies may forgive Barack Obama for beating Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary, but there's one sore point they're not quite ready to absolve: Leaving the impression that Bill and Hillary Clinton have a race problem.

"Democrats hit shutdown threat" (S.A. Miller, Washington Times) - Democratic leaders slammed Republicans on Monday for threatening to force a government shutdown this fall unless Congress lifts the ban on offshore oil drilling and for simultaneously demanding lawmakers return from the August recess to vote on more drilling.

"McCain Vets Cantor as Running Mate" (Susan Davis, Wall Street Journal) - Sen. John McCain's decision to vet Rep. Eric Cantor, a little-known, 45-year-old Virginia congressman, as a potential running mate suggests he may be looking outside the traditional vice-presidential framework to find a new-generation leader to help revive the party.

On the Morning Shows

Morning Joe - McCain senior advisor Nicole Wallace, on Obama's position on the surge: "At best a lack of knowledge, at worst wrong judgment."

On gas prices: "The problem with Obama's position on energy is that he doesn't have a vision."

Fox and Friends - Bill Richardson, on Obama's energy plan: "What Sen. Obama has said is that he's willing to consider offshore drilling as an overall compromise. ... So it's a last-resort. I would advise him, by the way, against off-shore drilling."

On Bill Clinton's comments: "I don't make too much out of it."

Bobby Jindal, on Obama's energy plan: "The reality is, we need to do it all ... We haven't built a nuclear reactor in 30 years ... as a result we have to go to foreign countries and ask them to increase their production."

From Late Night

Leno:

(Greg Bobrinskoy contributed to the Morning Report.)