Morning Road Map

By Michelle Levi and Steve Chaggaris

McCain is in Michigan today. He will hold a closed fundraiser in West Bloomfield at noon before touring Beaver Aerospace & Defense, Inc. in Livonia at 2:15pm ET. Later, he'll hold a press conference at 5:15pm ET, followed by a closed meeting with Michigan conservative leaders, including former Mike Huckabee supporters. He also attends two evening fundraisers in Birmingham.

Obama continues his Hawaiian vacation and has no public events today.

NEW TODAY: Former Gov. Mark Warner, D-Va., will deliver the keynote speech at the Democratic Convention on Tuesday night, August 26, the Obama campaign announced this morning. A campaign memo said Warner was in part chosen for his "ability to work with Republicans, Democrats and Independents." The night's theme will be "Renewing America's Promise."

RUSSIA-GEORGIA CONFLICT
McCain was interviewed by NPR where he weighed in on the conflict in Georgia. He'll say the Russian offensive in Georgia "is clearly in keeping with the Russian ambitions for the old near abroad, control of or absolute takeover of surrounding countries. And this may be trying to send a message to Ukraine and other countries in the region.

Washington Post's Mosk and Birnbaum, "While Aide Advised McCain, His Firm Lobbied for Georgia"

Washington Post's Shear and MacGillis, "On Georgia Crisis, McCain's Tone Grows Sharper"

Politico's Smith, "John McCain's long war on Russia"

OBAMA IN HAWAII
Last night, Obama attended a fundraiser at the Kahala Hotel and Resort where the 500 or so donated at least $2,300 in order to attend. Two hours into the event Obama thanked the audience, noting many of his high school friends in attendance, "I've got friends here who have just been lifelong friends, people who have seen me through thick and thin, in tough times and in good times." Organizers said the fundraiser brought in around $1.3 million.

Politico's Brown, "Barack Obama: The coincidental tourist": "The oceanfront vacation home Barack Obama is renting this week is owned by a campaign contributor who, along with her husband, has given more than $62,000 to the Democratic Party and its presidential candidates since 2000."

Newsweek's Romano, "Obama's 'Highfalutin' Hawaiian Vacation"

VEEPSTAKES
McCain and pal Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., stopped by football practice at Manheim High School in Pennsylvania Tuesday. Lieberman compared Congress to a team with McCain as the coach saying, "When you are on a team together, with a great coach, you don't think of the differences between you, you figure out how to play together to win the game." McCain explained how important teamwork was as a captive in Vietnam.

Washington Post's Barnes, "In Pa., Looking Out for No. 2": "One of McCain's travel companions, Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.), has already run for vice president -- as a Democrat. The other, former Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge, is a favorite son in this important battleground state but is considered suspect by much of the party's conservative base elsewhere. A front-page headline in Tuesday's Philadelphia Inquirer read 'Ridge on McCain ticket? Not likely.' Still, their appearances here created a sense of deja vu to those following McCain as he prepares to make the most important decision he faces before accepting the Republican presidential nomination next month -- his choice of a running mate."

Associated Press' Bratton, "Hagel as Obama veep draws concern from both sides"

WIBC-FM interviewed former Rep. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, who says he hasn't been asked for veep-relatd paperwork: "Portman has been rumored to be on John McCain's list of potential running mates, but says he hasn't been asked for the financial information required as part of a candidate's background check, and doesn't expect to be."

BATTLEGROUND STATES
Washington Times' Miller, "McCain reminds voters of Obama's 'bitter' gaffe": Sen. John McCain reminded Pennsylvanians Tuesday that presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama said the state's small-town voters "cling to guns and religion" because they are "bitter," a gaffe that possibly contributed to Mr. Obama's loss in the state primary and might haunt his general election campaign in this battleground."

LA Times' Mehta, "McCain plays up his bipartisanship in Pennsylvania"

Associated Press, "Obama won't ignore rural Ohio"

CAMPAIGN ADS
USA Today's Lawrence, "Critical McCain Olympic ads take wider stage than Obama's"

Wall Street Journal's Waldman, "McCain Ad: Obama as the Antichrist?"

CONVENTIONS
WCCO-TV's Vascellaro, "Are Police Ready For Anarchy During the RNC?": "WCCO-TV has obtained several internal police documents documenting the possible tactics of the more radical groups that may try to disrupt the convention in St. Paul."

Rocky Mountain News' Vaughan, "Obama tickets come with a catch": "Some of those hoping to wrangle a seat for Barack Obama's speech were told this week they have to put in six hours of volunteer work for his campaign by Friday to have a shot at a ticket. And that ruffled at least a few feathers."

NY Times' Dowd, "Yes, She Can": "While Obama was spending three hours watching "The Dark Knight" five time zones away, and going to a fund-raiser featuring 'Aloha attire' and Hawaiian pupus, Hillary was busy planning her convention. You can almost hear her mind whirring: She's amazed at how easy it was to snatch Denver away from the Obama saps. Like taking candy from a baby, except Beanpole Guy doesn't eat candy. In just a couple of weeks, Bill and Hill were able to drag No Drama Obama into a swamp of Clinton drama."

Minneapolis Star Tribune's Furst, "GOP convention: Hundreds of arrests predicted; everyone's ready"

ALSO:
LA Times' Helfand, "Visits by McCain, Obama to Orange County church underscore Pastor Rick Warren's prominence"

Stars and Stripes interviewed Obama, "Democratic Sen. Barack Obama wants to keep Guardsmen and Reservists closer to home, believes military families need a bigger voice in government, and sees a long-term U.S. presence in Iraq even with his plans for a drawdown of combat troops there."

Washington Post's Balz, "Can McCain Use Advice Clinton Got on Obama?"

LA Times' Nicholas, "Clinton was urged to paint Obama as foreign"

NY Times' Rutenberg and Bosman, "Book on Obama Hopes to Repeat Anti-Kerry Feat"

The Hill's Crabtree, "McCain ignoring calls to cancel controversial fundraiser": "Republican presidential candidate John McCain so far is ignoring calls from several watchdog groups to cancel an Atlanta fundraiser promoted by Ralph Reed, a longtime friend and business partner of imprisoned lobbyist Jack Abramoff."

Wall Street Journal's Holmes and Chozick, "Republican Trio Crosses Party Lines To Back Obama"

Chicago Tribune's Ramirez and Brachear, "Dems' abortion line may soften": "The Democratic Party has proposed changes to the party's platform on abortion rights with a new focus on reducing the number of abortions, in an overture to evangelical Christians and Roman Catholics. The party's platform now reads: 'We stand proudly for a woman's right to choose, consistent with Roe v. Wade, and regardless of her ability to pay. ... At the same time, we strongly support family planning and adoption incentives. Abortion should be safe, legal, and rare.'"

Courier-Post's Higgs, "McCain's wife pays visit to Red Bank diner"