Headlines from July 4th, 2008

Obama campaign announces plans to match McCain focus on the economy in upcoming week of events. The Senator will begin the week in Charlotte, then move to Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Virginia and Ohio. Read release. "At each stop, Senator Obama will continue talking to Americans about how the economy affects their everyday lives." Permalink

Candidates Celebrate Independence Day

Cheers greet Obama at a July 4 parade in Butte, Montana -- a battleground state Obama hopes to turn blue -- while the crowd sings "Happy Birthday" for his daughter Malia. Read pool report here. Brownstein: Campaigning in states they're unlikely to win could help the candidates govern as president. McCain relaxes off the stump in Arizona after flying home from his Latin America trip. Permalink

Rove Hits Obama on Abortion

Speaking to National Right to Life in Virginia, the top GOP strategist says: "This is a man who stands up and says he is going to bring Republicans and Democrats together....How can you claim to do that if you are at the same time supporting the divisive practice of using taxpayer dollars to fund abortion?" Obama team: “Senator Obama is running for president to bring the country together and end the type of divisive politics perfected by Karl Rove.” Permalink

Latino Obama Backers Respond to McCain Ad

L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa, California Rep. Becerra issue statements promoting Obama in response to Spanish-language McCain radio ad. Read them here. Becerra: "Senator John McCain's newest attack ad uses 'friends' to say one thing, but the facts show otherwise." Minute-long radio ad features former McCain roommate, airs in Nevada and New Mexico. Listen to the ad here and read script here. Permalink

Obama: "Mental Distress" Should Not Permit Late-Term Abortions

In an interview with a Christian magazine, the Senator says only a "serious physical issue" should count as a justification for a late-term abortion. Separates him from most other abortion rights supporters. Permalink

Jesse Helms Dies at 86

The five-term North Carolina Senator retired in 2002. Permalink

Republicans Troubled by Shifting Attacks on Obama

NY Times: Several Republicans say "the McCain camp’s attacks had been scattershot and inconsistent despite his advantage of wrapping up the Republican nomination in March...." McCain spokesman: “We’ve got a long time to go to make our case.” Permalink

Obama Responds to FISA Critics

In a long statement on his Web site, Obama responds to supporters upset he plans to support the FISA bill. “This was not an easy call for me. I know that the FISA bill that passed the House is far from perfect.” NY Times: "a remarkable illustration of the power of online organizing." Permalink

Democrats' Convention Finale May Move to Stadium

LA Times reports Obama's acceptance speech may take place in the 76,000-capacity Invesco Field, rather than the 19,000-person Pepsi Center. Permalink

Wedding Bells for Gov. Crist

Florida's GOP governor announces his engagement to businesswoman Carole Rome. "She’s special in every way. She’s brilliant, beautiful and sweet. I’m very, very lucky." No wedding date has been set. Crist, a potential McCain running mate, was briefly married and divorced nearly 30 years ago. Permalink