Obama says Iraq trip could refine his policy

Democrat Barack Obama struggled Thursday to explain how his upcoming trip to Iraq might refine, but not basically alter, his promise to quickly remove U.S. combat troops from the war.

A-peel-ing mates: From Al Gore to George Clinton, some VPs have made a mark on pop culture

You may be only a heartbeat away, but the vice presidency is typically a thankless, low-profile job. Every now and then, however, the vice president makes a statement that ends up propelling itself into pop culture. Here's a quick look at five who wove themselves into America's pop culture narrative:

Race for Trent Lott's old seat competitive

Roger Wicker leaned up against the rails of the oyster schooner Mike Sekul, enjoying the slight Mississippi Sound breeze and some scrumptious, bone-sucking ribs with his son McDaniel.

Obama focuses on turning red states blue

It will be a red-state Fourth of July for Barack Obama, who hopes to find votes as well as fireworks in places that blue-state Democrats often bypass in presidential elections.

Making it to the (virtual) White House

Can Sen. Barack Obama beat out Sen. John McCain for the White House? Would Hillary Clinton have fared better against McCain in November? You might find the answers by firing up "The Political Machine 2008," a new strategy game for PC from Stardock ("Galactic Civilizations II," "Sins of a Solar Empire").

McCain: Staff shake-up part of 'natural evolution'

Republican presidential candidate John McCain said Thursday that a shake-up in the leadership of his campaign was part of a "natural evolution" as the organization becomes more national in scope.

CAMPAIGN 2008 | UNION SUPPORT

Union now says it backs Diaz-Balart

One of the Miami trade unions that denied it was endorsing U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, after the congressman said he had the group's support, has switched tracks and now says it is backing the Republican incumbent.

McCain says he was told beforehand of rescue

John McCain said he learned in advance on the eve of the Colombian hostage rescue operation that it would happen -- from President Alvaro Uribe.

Conservative evangelicals discuss backing McCain

Conservative evangelical leaders met privately this week to discuss putting aside their misgivings about John McCain and coalescing around the Republican's presidential bid while urging him to consider social conservative favorite Mike Huckabee as a running mate.

McCain denies roughing up Sandinista

John McCain denied a Republican colleague's claim that he roughed up an associate of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega on a diplomatic mission in 1987, saying the allegation was "simply not true."

RNC to run its first ad of presidential campaign

An independent arm of the Republican National Committee plans to spend $3 million on an ad campaign contrasting GOP presidential candidate John McCain to Democrat Barack Obama on energy security.

THE WASHINGTON POST | THE TRAIL

After criticism, McCain campaign shifts staff

Sen. John McCain's political advisor to take "full operational control" in effort to strengthen the presumptive Republican presidential nominee's message. (May need to register)

McCain aide takes over day-to-day campaign duties

John McCain put a top adviser in control of day-to-day campaign operations Wednesday after weeks of private concerns among Republicans that the GOP presidential campaign had not made the transition for the general election.