Today on the presidential campaign trail

[Ron Burgundy]

AP - IN THE HEADLINES

Gore says he'll do anything to get Obama to the White House ... Obama says he'll visit Iraq, Afghanistan before November ... McCain urges end to ban on offshore oil and gas drilling, calls for greater role for states ... Charge dropped against Obama delegate who called black kids climbing a tree 'monkeys' ... Obama expands campaign staff, adds former Clinton campaign manager

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Gore endorses Obama

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Al Gore is backing Barack Obama and says he'll do whatever he can to help him get to the White House.

In a letter to be e-mailed to Obama supporters, Gore says Obama has united a movement in the past year and a half.

The former vice president also is asking for donations to help fund Obama's effort — the first time he's asked members of his Web site AlGore.com to contribute to a political campaign. He was to appear with Obama at a rally Monday night in Detroit.

Gore is one of the most popular figures in the Democratic Party, but he stayed out of sight during the primary.

In 2000, Gore won the popular vote but lost the disputed election to George W. Bush, who captured Florida and its electoral votes after a divided Supreme Court ended a recount of ballots. Since then, Gore has made combatting global warming his signature issue, and has been recognized worldwide for his effort — from an Academy Award for a documentary for his effort to the Nobel prize.

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Obama to visit Iraq, Afghanistan before election

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Barack Obama said he will visit Iraq and Afghanistan before the November election.

The presumed Democratic presidential nominee said he spoke with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari on Monday about the war and told him he looks forward to seeing him in Baghdad.

Obama has said he was considering a trip, but his comment to reporters Monday was his first firm declaration that he will be making the trip. He said more details would be announced.

He said he told Zebari he was encouraged by the reductions of violence in Iraq, but that as president he will carefully move to end U.S. combat operations in Iraq.

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McCain urges end to ban on offshore drilling

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Sen. John McCain said Monday the federal moratorium on offshore oil and gas drilling should be lifted, and individual states given the right to pursue energy exploration in waters near their own coasts.

With gasoline prices rising and the United States chronically dependent on foreign oil, the Republican presidential contender said his proposal would "be very helpful in the short term resolving our energy crisis."

McCain also suggested giving states incentives, including a greater share of royalties paid by companies that drill for oil, as an incentive to permit exploration.

Asked how far offshore states should be given control of drilling rights, he said that was a matter for negotiation.

He offered no other details for his proposal, which he was expected to describe more fully Tuesday in an energy speech.

The current drilling moratorium is a perennial cause for controversy, pitting those who favor additional exploration against environmentalists. The ban covers an estimated 80 percent of U.S. coastal waters. Given Democratic opposition in Congress to ending it, the Bush administration and congressional Republicans have been seeking the type of state option that McCain endorsed.

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Charge dropped against Obama delegate

CARPENTERSVILLE, Ill. (AP) — A county judge on Monday dismissed a disorderly conduct charge against a delegate for Barack Obama who called two black children climbing in a tree "monkeys."

Linda Ramirez Sliwinski, a Carpentersville trustee, received a village citation and a $75 ticket for disorderly conduct after the April incident.

Sliwinski said she told the boys to get out of a small tree because she was concerned about their safety and tree damage. She said she told them they shouldn't climb in the tree like monkeys. Afterward, one boy's mother called police.

Sliwinski said her comments were taken out of context.

She still plans to be a delegate for Obama, she said.

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Obama adds staff, taps ex-Clinton campaign manager

WASHINGTON (AP) — Barack Obama's campaign named new senior advisers on Monday, including former Hillary Rodham Clinton campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle as chief of staff to the presidential candidate's yet-to-be-chosen running mate.

Also heading the list of new top aides are Jim Messina, former chief of staff to Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana who will be Obama's chief of staff, and Stephanie Cutter, communications director to Sen. John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign who will be a senior adviser to Obama and chief of staff to Obama's wife, Michelle.

The campaign is beefing for the general election. Other posts being filled include a national field director, which will be occupied by Jon Carson, who was director of voter contact during the primaries. Another post — battleground states director — will be filled by Jen O'Malley, who directed John Edwards' Iowa operation.

Solis Doyle, who stepped down as Clinton's campaign manager in February, is the only former high profile Clinton staffer to join the Obama camp so far. Clinton replaced Solis Doyle with longtime aide Maggie Williams after she and Obama essentially split the 22-state Super Tuesday contests on Feb. 5.

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DAILY TRACK

Democrat Barack Obama holds a slight lead over Republican John McCain, 46 percent to 42 percent, in the presidential race, according to the latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking update.

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THE DEMOCRATS

Barack Obama meets with voters in Flint and Detroit, Mich.

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THE REPUBLICANS

John McCain is raising money in Texas.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"Over the next four years, we are going to face many difficult challenges — including bringing our troops home from Iraq, fixing our economy, and solving the climate crisis. Barack Obama is clearly the candidate best able to solve these problems and bring change to America." — Al Gore, in an e-mail endorsing Obama.

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STAT OF THE DAY:

Democratic Party leaders have agreed to seat Michigan and Florida delegates with half-votes at this summer's convention — a deal reached after the party's Rules Committee members deliberated for nine hours.

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Compiled by Ann Sanner.

source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080616/ap_on_el_pr/2008_race_rundown [link]