Evening News Roundup

ABC and CBS led with politics; NBC with water on Mars.

ABC: Lead report said McCain is attacking Obama "often and hard." Recapped the day's back-and-forth on the "Celeb" ad and "race card" comments, including new anti-McCain Web site and quote from McCain saying "race will not have any role in my campaign." Warning that McCain's attacks could backfire.

CBS: Led with celebrity ad and "race card" back-and-forth. Package said the "candidates are taking a detour off the high road," and said Obama has become exasperated. Covered McCain's defense of the ad and said the new approach "seems to conflict with his high-minded sensibility." Also mentioned Quinnipiac battlegrounds poll and launch of "Low Road Express" Web site. Bob Schieffer said of the day: "We're kind of in silly season here."

NBC: Led with water on Mars, followed by report on ExxonMobil profits that included McCain and Obama's responses. Report recapped the day's tussles on McCain's ad and "race card" charge against Obama.