AP - Will he or won't he? Vice President Dick Cheney is one of the nation's most prominent Republicans, but there are doubts about whether he will attend the GOP convention.

AP - New McCain ad emphasizes independent streak to counter Obama charge he's same as Bush ... Obama says economy is in turmoil, sets goal of ending American dependence on overseas oil ... No plans yet for Vice President Dick Cheney to appear at Republican National Convention ... Obama, McCain campaigns engage in hard-hitting politics, but show differences in style, tone

U.S. News & World Report - Expected GOP nominee John McCain may be buried under an avalanche of criticism over his "Celeb" ad that compares the popularity--and heft--of Democratic rival Barack Obama to that of celebutants Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, but his campaign advisers are feeling just fine about the ad's reception.

AP - A 73-year-old retired surgeon marching in silence with a tombstone picturing a soldier killed in Iraq. A philosophy professor calling for a new investigation into the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. A long-haul trucker from Texas protesting the price of oil.

AP - Democratic candidate Barack Obama on Saturday backed away from rival John McCain's challenge for a series of joint appearances, agreeing only to the standard three debates in the fall.

AP - Republican candidate John McCain's presidential campaign is cynical, not racist, in its efforts to distract voters from real issues, Democratic rival Barack Obama said Saturday.

AP - The Democratic-controlled Congress is working to overcome years of neglect by the Bush administration of agencies intended to safeguard the health of the public, especially children, a leading Democrat said Saturday.

AP - Democratic candidate Barack Obama on Saturday backed away from rival John McCain's challenge for a series of joint appearances before the political conventions, agreeing only to the standard three debates in the fall.