AFP - Google will be pampering bloggers and tutoring US policy makers at Democratic and Republican national conventions as Internet culture flexes growing political muscle.

AP - Obama tells military veterans that McCain is wrong to question his character and patriotism ... Obama prepares to announce choice for vice president in the coming days ... Atlanta fundraiser tied to Abramoff scandal figure brings in more than $1.75 million for GOP

AP - Obama prepares to announce choice for vice president in the coming days ... Atlanta fundraiser tied to Abramoff scandal figure brings in more than $1.75 million for GOP ... McCain says Obama tried to legislate failure in Iraq for political gain, is not ready to lead

AP - Keeping up strong pace, Obama raises $7.8 million in one day ... McCain says Obama tried to legislate failure in Iraq for political gain, is not ready to lead ... Showbiz politics: Conventions offer priceless exposure, more choreography than a Broadway show

AP - The folks in this picturesque mountain community with red barns and Amish buggies have been voting overwhelmingly Republican in national elections for decades.

AP - California's Republican lawmakers on Sunday rejected a Democratic proposal for $6.6 billion in tax increases on the wealthy and corporations despite an offer to boost the state's rainy day fund. The failed vote now pushes California's budget impasse into its eighth week with no compromise in sight.

AP - A day after hugging in church Obama tears into McCain's energy policy and campaign tactics ... Ridge says GOP would accept abortion-rights VP, though McCain view would prevail ... McCain visits Florida as state braces for Tropical Storm Fay

AP - The folks in this picturesque mountain community with red barns and Amish buggies have been voting overwhelmingly Republican in national elections for decades.

AP - Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge said Sunday he thinks Republicans would accept a vice presidential candidate who supports abortion rights.

AP - Even the top Republican in charge of the party's Senate campaigns concedes that the GOP will lose seats this year — the only question is how many.

Reuters - Rock star Jackson Browne has sued U.S. presidential candidate John McCain for copyright infringement, accusing the presumptive Republican nominee of using the singer's 1977 hit "Running on Empty" in a campaign ad without permission.

AP - President Bush's popularity has tanked, but boy can he still bring in the cash.

AP - John McCain and the Republican National Committee started August with a hefty $96 million, financially flush and strongly positioned to compete with prolific fundraiser Barack Obama and the Democrats.