Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn’t generate a post of their own <\/p>\n
, but may be of interest to political observers:<\/p>\n
* Would he make us wait until Saturday<\/a> to learn about the running mate? “Barack Obama’s campaign confirms that the Illinois senator will hold an event in his home state Saturday <\/p>\n buy levitra cheap<\/a><\/p>\n , kicking off the ‘roll into the convention’ — but would not confirm or deny reports that he might be joined on stage by a running mate. The event will be held in the Old State Capitol in Springfield — where Obama first launched his presidential bid a year and a half ago.”<\/p>\n * Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack (D) hit John McCain pretty hard yesterday on energy policy<\/a>. “[McCain] continues to reject bipartisan compromise because it would roll back massive tax breaks for the oil companies ,” Vilsack said. “That is not putting the country first, it is putting the interest of oil companies first.”<\/p>\n * The McCain campaign is utterly offensive on so many levels, but it’s really good at message discipline. Its new Spanish-language radio ad<\/a> tells a Latino audience: “Fame must be grand for Barack Obama. But is he ready to lead in tough economic times?”<\/p>\n * And the new McCain campaign English-language radio ad<\/a> follows the same theme: “Celebrities like to spend their millions. Barack Obama is no different. Only it’s your money he wants to spend.”<\/p>\n * Al Gore gets a Thursday night slot<\/a>: “Former Vice President Al Gore has accepted a speaking role on the final night of the Democratic convention, appearing on the same stage that Barack Obama will officially receive the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, three sources tell CNN.” * The DNC is hitting McCain over his odd remark on Saturday night that $5 million was the line of demarcation for distinguishing the rich<\/a>.<\/p>\n * Rasmussen shows McCain leading Obama in Ohio<\/a> by four, 45% to 41%.<\/p>\n * Rasmussen shows McCain leading Obama in Florida<\/a> by three, 46% to 43%.<\/p>\n * Rasmussen shows McCain leading Obama in Louisiana<\/a> by 17, 55% to 38%.<\/p>\n * SurveyUSA shows McCain leading Obama in Indiana<\/a> by six, 50% to 44%.<\/p>\n * SurveyUSA shows Obama leading McCain in Minnesota<\/a> by two, 47% to 45%.<\/p>\n * A Susquehanna poll shows Obama leading McCain in Pennsylvania<\/a> by five, 46% to 41%.<\/p>\n * There will be plenty of campaign ads before Sept. 11 <\/p>\n
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\n* Jimmy Carter will speak on Monday night<\/a> of the convention.<\/p>\n