AP - President Bush capped three days of closed-door Republican fundraising with a stop in the heartland, trying to help the GOP snag a congressional seat.

AP - Who is Barack Obama? John McCain will happily tell you — his version. The Republican nominee-in-waiting is increasingly uttering campaign trail criticisms, previewing likely themes and laying the foundation for an eventual full-blown effort to try to ill define — and derail — his expected Democratic rival.

AP - Top Democrats to push for quick resolution to race when primaries end next week ... Latin artists unite to support Obama in new music video on eve of Puerto Rican primary ... Cheney rallies NY Republicans ahead of November elections ...

AFP - White House hopeful Barack Obama's campaign said Thursday he was on the verge of clinching the Democratic nomination once his bruising battle with Hillary Clinton climaxes next week.

AP - Sens. John McCain and Chuck Hagel have long been friends. Fellow Republicans and Vietnam War veterans, their Senate offices are just across the hall from each other.

AP - Barack Obama — increasingly under fire from John McCain as he appears poised to win the Democratic nomination — said he is considering a trip to Iraq but dismissed as a "political stunt" an invitation by the Republican candidate to make the visit together.

AP - Hillary Rodham Clinton touted her electability before separate audiences Wednesday, saying her wins in swing states and strong vote margins among certain voting blocs give her the best chance of defeating Republican John McCain in November.

AFP - Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama said he may visit Iraq, after taking a barrage from Republican candidate John McCain over his single previous trip to the war zone.

Reuters - President George W. Bush on Tuesday helped raise about $2.5 million for the man he hopes will succeed him, but did it in private amid questions about whether the unpopular president hurts John McCain's chances in the November election.