In the Headlines

"McCain Closes Gap on Obama In Poll as Conventions Loom" (Laura Meckler, Wall Street Journal) - Sen. John McCain has all but closed the gap with Sen. Barack Obama, underscoring how international crises -- and some well-placed negative ads -- have boosted the prospects of the Republican presidential candidate.

"Obama Shifts Message to Everyday Concerns" (Katharine Seelye, New York Times) - Senator Barack Obama has sharpened his stump speech, delivering a more populist message that further highlights his differences with Senator John McCain, particularly on the economy.

"Biden's emergence in VP race crystalizes concerns" (AP) - Sen. Joe Biden's emergence at the center of speculation about who will be Barack Obama's running mate may say more about Obama's challenges in the presidential race than it does about the final selection.

"Lieberman to speak at Republican convention" (David Lightman, McClatchy) - Joe Lieberman will be a featured speaker on the opening night of the Republican National Convention, capping an extraordinary political journey for a man who could have been this year's Democratic nominee for president had history taken a different turn.

On the Morning Shows

Fox and Friends - Gov. Tim Kaine, on Obama campaign's outreach to Clinton supporters: "I'm not going to dispute that there might be some Hillary Clinton supporters who are concerned or want more outreach. I think that's going to be a great aspect of the convention next week. But the Hillary Clinton supporters I know in Virginia .. are strongly for Barack Obama."

On the tightening polls: "The Obama campaign ... made no bones to anybody, we're the underdogs... I've said since February '07 that [Obama] is the underdog and I firmly believe that. He's got to run like the underdog."

On his campaigning with Obama today in Virginia: "Look, Virginia, amazingly after 44 years of not being competitive in presidential politics is a dead heat. And we feel like Virginia could be a bellwether state."