Mark Halperin’s Three Things

Mark Halperin's three things to watch for in presidential politics for Monday, June 30:

1) John McCain is in the battleground of Pennsylvania, a historically blue state he’d like to keep in play in November. In an attempt to try and burden Obama with a big electoral college challenge, the Senator is making two afternoon stops in the Keystone State today — first in Harrisburg for a press availability event and later in Pipersville for a town hall meeting. Watch to see what comes of today’s events and check to see what kind of media coverage he gets nationally and with the local press.

2) Barack Obama is in a Red state today, making a stop in Independence, Missouri. The Illinois Senator is giving a lot more semi-major prepared speeches than McCain these days. Watch to see how he does in the Show-Me State, with another prepared speech at 10 am ET. This time he's striking a July 4 theme and plans to speak on what patriotism means to him and what it requires of all Americans who want to see the country do better. Be on the lookout for how the Senator does in that speech today, and watch the coverage he gets in Missouri.

3) Keep an eye on Chicago as the Democratic Leadership Council wraps up their big annual event there today. There will be lots of big name speakers talking and taking questions from reporters. Today's program will kick off with a media availability by Tennessee Gov. Bresden, Kansas Gov. Sebelius, Chicago Mayor Daley, DLC Chair Harold Ford Jr, CEO and Founder Al From and President Reed. No single interest group on the left, or the right or in the center is really affecting this race very much so far. Watch to see what kind of message the DLC sends this weekday, about Obama, and whether they believe he’s the kind of centrist candidate who can win a general election.