AP - It will be a red-state Fourth of July for Barack Obama, who hopes to find votes as well as fireworks in places that blue-state Democrats often bypass in presidential elections.

AP - Republican presidential candidate John McCain said Thursday that a shake-up in the leadership of his campaign was part of a "natural evolution" as the organization becomes more national in scope.

AP - Democrat Barack Obama struggled Thursday to explain how his upcoming trip to Iraq might refine, but not basically alter, his promise to quickly remove U.S. combat troops from the war.

AP - Only two Democratic presidential candidates have carried Montana since 1948. Barack Obama is betting he can do it in November.

Reuters - The U.S. envoy for Darfur expressed disappointment on Wednesday that the United Nations had not met a U.S. goal for reinforcing peacekeepers in the area, calling progress so far "absolutely unacceptable."

AP - John McCain put a top adviser in control of day-to-day campaign operations Wednesday after weeks of private concerns among Republicans that the GOP presidential campaign had not made the transition for the general election.

AP - Kind of blue — Obama hopes to flip Republican red states ... McCain to meet Mexican president on Thursday at end of Latin American trip ... Obama, McCain competing for the center, an elusive, disengaged yet crucial crowd

AP - A local police officer involved in a motorcycle crash got a consolation prize Thursday — a chance to meet Barack Obama.

AP - John McCain toured Mexico's holiest Roman Catholic site and received a blessing from its monsignor Thursday, the final day of a three-day Latin America tour.

AP - They're the most fickle voters, and potentially the most powerful. Thus, with party nominations secure, John McCain and Barack Obama now are pushing toward the center to win them over.