The running-mate search continues. The field gets wider while the application forms get tougher…

From the Wash Post:

“[First name of a candidate]! and pre/2 [last name of a candidate] w/7 bush or gore or republican! or democrat! or charg! or accus! or criticiz! or blam! or defend! or iran contra or clinton or spotted owl or florida recount or sex! or controvers! or racis! or fraud! or investigat! or bankrupt! or layoff! or downsiz! or PNTR or NAFTA or outsourc! or indict! or enron or kerry or iraq or wmd! or arrest! or intox! or fired or sex! or racis! or intox! or slur! or arrest! or fired or controvers! or abortion! or gay! or homosexual! or gun! or firearm!”
– A type of Internet search string recommended to [Monica] Goodling by her predecessor.

A Vice Presidential debate preview?

Mitt Romney’s hair …

versus Tim Kaine’s eyebrows …

Your 2008 Democratic ticket?

• Barack Obama, Harvard Law School, 1991
• Michelle Obama, Harvard Law Schoo, 1988
• Tim Kaine, Harvard Law School, 1983
• Anne Holton (Kaine), Harvard Law School, 1983

If so, don’t tell the Yalies.  They might protest the Convention.

We learn:

In the midst of a cruel summer for America’s drivers, there’s a diversion: TV at the gas station.

The number of televisions atop gas pumps have skyrocketed since their introduction at a handful of stations in 2006. Now, three privately held companies have placed more than 20,000 screens at thousands of stations from the Massachusetts Pike to Southern California.

“We try to bring some fun to the pump,” says Roy Reeves, vice president of sales and marketing for PumpTop TV, an Irvine, Calif.company that provides screens and content at nearly 600 stations nationwide.

Sure hope they show “Robocop” …

From today’s Washington Post profile of Tom Coburn, “Senate’s ‘Dr. No’ Spurs Showdown Over Spending”:

Instead of a keepsake photo of a political hero or his family, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) has a large framed picture next to his desk that serves as a constant reminder of his political ideology. Inside the black frame and matting is a single word, in large white letters: “No.”

He explained that the “No” framed on the wall next to his desk was a gift from a liberal priest in Upstate New York who read about his efforts recently, providing him newfound inspiration.

“He sent me that to say: Keep saying no until we get the problems solved,” Coburn said proudly.

Your first instinct might be to think of this…

But truthfully, all the inspiration you really need is Groucho Marx…

… and Joey Ramone:

First this:

Then this:

Now this:

Details at “Top of the Ticket“

Chuck Hagel yesterday on “Face the Nation”:

A Republican senator from Nebraska is defending Senator Obama from criticism by the McCain campaign over his position on the Iraq war and his decision to cancel a visit with American troops in Germany. Mr. McCain has stepped up his attacks on Mr. Obama in recent days, saying he “would rather lose a war in order to win a political campaign.” He also unveiled a television ad that questions Mr. Obama’s skipping the troop visit. Senator Hagel of Nebraska, a longtime friend of Mr. McCain’s, said both moves were inappropriate. “I think John is treading on some very thin ground here when he impugns motives and when we start to get into, ‘You’re less patriotic than me. I’m more patriotic,’” Mr. Hagel said yesterday on CBS’s “Face the Nation.” He added: “John’s better than that.” Mr. Hagel, an opponent of the Iraq war, traveled to the Middle East with Mr. Obama and although he has not endorsed either candidate, he has appeared much closer to the Democrat in recent months.

Chuck Hagel, a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away:

This weekend in rock star coronation …
CNN’s “Late Edition”:

BLITZER (voice-over): He may have been treated like a rock star overseas…

OBAMA: People of Berlin, people of the world, this is our moment.

BLITZER: … but will he get the same reception at home?

New issue of Newsweek:

“Barack Obama told Senior White House Correspondent Richard Wolffe that his overriding mood during his recent trip overseas has been a sober one despite the rock-star reception he received in Europe last week.”

Times of London editor Brownen Maddox on NPR:

“And then here comes this person with rock star charisma, and that’s the kind of thing that travels very well.”

AFP:

“The Illinois Democratic senator was greeted like a rock star by some 200,000 people in Berlin.”

New York Daily News:

“The success of Obama’s rock-star romp has forced McCain to reconsider his timetable.”

Dallas Morning News:

“Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin _ a former high school basketball star, beauty queen and mother of five _ is a rising GOP star whose selection would generate buzz for a party struggling to compete with Obama’s rock-star status.”

New York Times:

“But for all the rock-star excitement abroad — reminiscent of the European embrace of the last Democratic president, Bill Clinton — Mr. Obama was vague on crucial issues of trade, defense and foreign policy that currently divide Washington from Europe and are likely to continue to do so even if he becomes president.”