AP - A leader of Democrat Barack Obama's vice presidential research team has resigned amid criticism over his personal loan deals.

AP - Record high prices for gasoline probably won't drop before the November election, Republican John McCain said Wednesday.

AP - McCain: Gas prices won't drop and could rise higher by Election Day ... 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.

AP - South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham easily won his Republican primary but won't know his November opponent until state officials finish a recount.

AP - Prodded on the campaign trail to talk about his compelling personal story, John McCain usually demurs. "I'm very reluctant to do so, as you know," the presumed Republican nominee told a donor at a small fundraiser here this week.

Reuters - Democrats accused John McCain on Wednesday of being confused and unsympathetic for saying it's "not too important" when U.S. troops leave Iraq, attacking the Republican presidential candidate on an issue he has made key in the November election.

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.