AP - Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul is planning a daylong rally in Minnesota during the Republican National Convention that could draw attention from the presumed nominee John McCain.

AP - Barack Obama is considering former top Pentagon leaders among his possible running mates, which would address his lack of foreign policy experience and balance the military bonafides of a GOP ticket led by a war hero.

AP - Sen. Lindsey Graham easily won his primary Tuesday against a fellow Republican who accused him of being too liberal for South Carolina and hammered his ties to John McCain.

AP - Saved by Senate Republicans, big oil companies dodged an attempt Tuesday to slap them with a windfall profits tax and take away billions of dollars in tax breaks in response to the record gasoline prices that have the nation fuming.

AP - Christian leaders air views and differences and discuss issues in meeting with Obama ... Strategists say Obama begins general election campaign as favorite to win Iowa ... National Dems send help into traditionally GOP territories to trim losses, build bench

AP - Housing tracts in farm fields aren't the only odd sights showing up in spreading exurbs like this one north of Columbus. Democrats are venturing out here, too, giving the party hope it can win battleground states by at least diluting these local Republican strongholds they know they can't win outright.

Reuters - Some Southern Baptists feel they have no choice but to vote for a "liberal" in the November U.S. presidential election: presumptive Republican nominee John McCain.

AP - Senate Republicans blocked a proposal Tuesday to tax the windfall profits of the largest oil companies, despite pleas by Democratic leaders to use the measure to address America's anger over $4 a gallon gasoline.

Reuters - Republican candidate John McCain may have used his song in the U.S. presidential campaign, but veteran rock 'n' roller Chuck Berry has no doubt whom he wants to see in the White House next year.

AFP - From Iraq to diplomacy, via healthcare and jobs, the battle for the US presidency took shape Sunday with only two viable contenders left standing: Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain.

AFP - From Iraq to diplomacy, via healthcare and jobs, the battle for the US presidency took shape Sunday with only two viable contenders left standing: Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain.