Today on the presidential campaign trail

[Ron Burgundy]

AP - IN THE HEADLINES

Obama praises US ties with Israel, promises to push for Palestinian state if president ... People Magazine: Real Obama girls offer irreverence, boundless energy, good manners

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Obama tries to reassure Israelis and Palestinians

JERUSALEM (AP) — Presidential hopeful Barack Obama donned a Jewish skullcap at Israel's Holocaust memorial on Wednesday and vowed to preserve America's close ties with Israel in a dramatic visit to the Holy Land in which he also promised the Palestinians to push vigorously to win them a state.

Obama was trying to allay fears on both sides on how he would tackle their stubborn conflict.

Many Israelis are concerned that Obama — a first-term U.S. senator with little foreign policy experience — would push Israel too hard in negotiations with the Palestinians. His family's Muslim roots have added to the unease, even though Obama is a Christian.

Many Palestinians doubt Obama or any other U.S. leader would reverse what they see as Washington's bias toward Israel.

"I'm here on this trip to reaffirm the special relationship between Israel and the United States and my abiding commitment to Israel's security and my hope that I can serve as an effective partner, whether as a U.S. senator or as president," Obama during a visit to the official residence of Israeli President Shimon Peres.

A 30-minute drive away, in the West Bank town of Ramallah, Obama assured Palestinian leaders he'd get involved in the Mideast conflict quickly, a top Palestinian official said.

In his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Obama confirmed "that he will be a constructive partner in the peace process" and would not "waste a minute" if elected, Abbas aide Saeb Erekat said.

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Magazine: Obama girls have youthful zeal, manners

WASHINGTON (AP) — The rules in the Obama household for Malia and Sasha are clear-cut:

_"No whining, arguing or annoying teasing," their mother, Michelle Obama, told People Magazine.

_Make the bed. "Doesn't have to look good, just throw the sheet over it," said the mother of 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha.

_Set your own alarm clock. "They get themselves up, get their own clothes," said their grandmother Marian Robinson.

_And the allowance from Dad for doing chores is $1 a week. Barack Obama conceded that "I'm out of town for weeks at a time, so Malia will say, 'Hey you owe me for 10 weeks.'"

The likely Democratic presidential nominee and his wife are determined that his bid for the presidency not disrupt the normal, happy childhood of their two daughters.

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THE DEMOCRATS

Barack Obama visits Jerusalem and Ramallah, West Bank.

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THE REPUBLICANS

John McCain meets with voters in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., then travels to New Orleans.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"I also want to get his recipe for looking as good he does." — Democrat Barack Obama, in complimenting Israeli President Shimon Peres, who is 84.

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STAT OF THE DAY:

Independents are more bored with the campaign than any other group of people — 28 percent of them say so — according to an AP-Yahoo News survey conducted in June.

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Compiled by Ann Sanner.

source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080723/ap_on_el_pr/2008_race_rundown [link]