McCain: I 'Don't See How It Matters' That I Don't Know The Price Of Gas  —  In a telephone interview with the Orange County Register earlier this week, John McCain acknowledged he was unaware of the price of gas.  The OC Register's Martin Wicksol reports:

Clark hits McCain's military credentials  —  Gen. Wesley Clark, acting as a surrogate for Barack Obama's campaign, invoked John McCain's military service against him in one of the more personal attacks on the Republican presidential nominee this election cycle.

PREPARING THE BATTLEFIELD  —  The Bush Administration steps up its secret moves against Iran.  —  L ate last year, Congress agreed to a request from President Bush to fund a major escalation of covert operations against Iran, according to current and former military, intelligence, and congressional sources.

The baseless, and failed, “Move to the Center” cliche  —  (updated below)  —  Republican Nancy Johnson of Connecticut was first elected to Congress in 1982, and proceeded to win re-election 11 consecutive times, often quite easily.  In 2004, she defeated her Democratic challenger by 22 points.

Back to the Center  —  One of the Republican Party's most astute pols, Representative Tom Davis of Virginia, recently reflected on his party's status among voters.  In a 20-page memo for his colleagues, Davis wrote, “If we were a dog food, they would take us off the shelf.”  Bad as things are, they may get worse.

McCain Holds Up New Orleans As An Educational Success Story  —  Download |  Play Download |  Play (h/t Heather)  —  During a speech to the National Association of Latino Elected & Appointed Officials John McCain is asked what he would do to insure that all working and middle class Americans …

‘Obama’ Hate Messages, Graffiti Cover 60 Orlando City Vehicles  —  ORLANDO, Fla. — Vandals spray-painted “Obama Smokes Crack” and other hate messages on 60 city vehicles parked across the street from City Hall in downtown Orlando.  —  Investigators said the vandals painted the messages …

The Chief Justice, Dylan and the Disappearing Double Negative  —  The last chief justice liked light opera.  The new one cites Bob Dylan.  —  Four pages into his dissent on Monday in an achingly boring dispute between pay phone companies and long distance carriers, John G. Roberts Jr. …

Election 2008: Arizona Presidential Election  —  Arizona: McCain Leads By Nine in Home State  —  Since Hillary Clinton dropped out of the race for the White House, Barack Obama has enjoyed a bounce in the national polls and in many state polls.  John McCain's home state of Arizona is no exception …

Gallup Daily: Obama 46%, McCain 42%  —  Race had been precisely tied in last three reports  —  PRINCETON, NJ — The latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking presidential trial heat, based on July 25-26 and 28 interviewing, finds Barack Obama moving slightly ahead of John McCain, 46% to 42%.

Dumbing Down the Presidency  —  People campaign for the presidency by talking their heads off.  By the time the winner reaches the White House, the habit is so ingrained that it is impossible to shake.  —  The result has been what professor Jeffrey Tulis of the University of Texas 21 years ago labeled …

Why Not A Debate In Dubai?  —  Here's a crazy idea that's being discussed by the rulers of the Persian Gulf city-state of Dubai: What if they were to invite Barack Obama and John McCain to come to the desert oasis for a presidential debate?  —  Yes, I know: This is America's presidential campaign …

OBAMA THE CANDIDATE OF ‘CHANGE MY MIND’  —  It's back and forth for Barack Obama.  —  The candidate of change has changed some of his own positions in recent weeks, raising the risk he'll be labeled a flip-flopper on hot-button issues that look as if they will play a central role in the general election.

Bush the Pot calls Mugabe the Kettle, “Undemocratic”  —  As a former advisor to Morgan Tsvangirai, I am compelled to offer the following observations on the recent attempt by President George W. Bush to appear less despotic than the reviled president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe.