Rudy Donated To Planned Parenthood
This should hurt: The Politico reports that Rudy Giuliani and then-wife Donna Hanover donated to Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider, several times in the 1990's, totaling $900. Giuliani has attempted to assuage the doubts of pro-life conservatives by stressing that he personally abhors abortion — and this news surely can't help. A key passage from The Politico's Jonathan Martin: "The returns have been on the public record for years, but the detail about Giuliani's support for Planned Parenthood — along with e-mailed copies of the returns — was provided to The Politico by aides to a rival campaign, who insisted on not being identified."

Report: Congressional GOP Wants To See Results In Iraq This Fall
Congressional Republicans need to see results from President Bush's Iraq policies by the fall — so says none other than Senate Minority Whip Trent Lott (R-MS), the Associated Press reports. Lott told the AP: "I do think this fall we have to see some significant changes on the ground, in Baghdad and other surrounding areas." A caveat: Lott declined to go into details what might happen if members do not see results. Meanwhile, Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR), who has recently begun voting with the Democrats on Iraq withdrawal, told The Washington Post: "I won't be the only Republican, or one of two Republicans, demanding a change in our disposition of troops in Iraq at that point. That is very clear to me." So does this actually mean anything?

Gallup: Hillary Pulls Away
Hillary Clinton has pulled away from Barack Obama, according to a new Gallup poll. Hillary leads with a solid 38% of the vote, followed by Obama's 23%, non-candidate Al Gore at 14%, and John Edwards with 12%. In a Gallup poll three weeks ago, Clinton led by a mere five points, with 31% to Barack Obama at 26%.

Romney: Criticism Of My Abortion Switch Is Unfair
The Associated Press reports that Mitt Romney said that criticism for his change on the abortion issue is unfair. "What I find interesting is, had I been pro-life and then changed to pro-choice, no one would ask the question," Romney said, in an interview with Sean Hannity. "But if you go the other direction, as I have and as Ronald Reagan did and Henry Hyde and George Herbert Walker Bush, it's like the media can't get enough of it: 'Oh, well, why did you change?'"

Conservative Activist: McCain "Dying A Slow Political Death"
NewsMax reports that longtime American Conservative Union head David Keene offered a bleak appraisal of John McCain's campaign: "I can be proven wrong, but McCain is dying a slow political death right now." According to Keene, McCain's problems are rooted in the distrust that conservative activists harbor against McCain, plus his overgrown, top-heavy campaign organization — likening McCain's campaign to the Spanish Armada. "It can't move, and half the admirals aren't sure that the battle is going to be won anyway," Keene said.

Hillary: I'll Compete In Chicago
The Chicago Tribune reports that Hillary Clinton brought her campaign to Barack Obama's stomping grounds in Chicago, holding an elaborate press conference featuring 100 black ministers — a strong message that she intends to go straight after Obama's base in the black community. "I am not ceding any voter, anywhere, to anyone," Clinton said. "I want to run a broad-based, inclusive campaign that represents the full diversity of our nation."

Senate Dems Donating Big, Targeting Red States
Roll Call reports that Senate Democrats plan to target incumbent Republicans and potential open Republican seats in normally deep-red states like Kentucky — home of Minority Leader Mitch McConnell — plus Oklahoma, Mississippi, Nebraska and others. Meanwhile, Roll Call also notes that Senate Democrats are far outpacing the Republicans in donating to their respective party campaign committees. Three Senators alone, Max Baucus (D-MT), Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Tom Carper (D-DE) have raised over $100,000 each to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, while the entire Republican caucus have only donated about $250,000 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

GOP Recruiting Relatives Of 9/11 Victims For House Races
The Hill reports that the National Republican Congressional Committee has so far recruited two House candidates who lost relatives on 9/11: Air Force Lt. Col. Jim Ogonowski, who is running in the upcoming special election to succeed Rep. Marty Meehan (D-MA), and former Navy pilot Marc Flagg, who is running against freshman Rep. Ron Klein (D-FL). A GOP win would be a surprise in Meehan's solidly Democratic district, while Klein's district is narrowly Democratic and is possibly vulnerable to a challenge. "They truly understand the nature of the post-Sept. 11 world that we live in because of the tragic experiences they have had to endure," said NRCC spokesman Ken Spain. "Their motivation for running is fueled not by partisan politics, but by conviction and sacrifice, and those are the qualities that voters long for in a candidate."

Biden: The Republican Era Is Over
The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that Joe Biden made a bold remark to an Iowa Democratic crowd: The Republican era of the last 25 years is over. However, Democrats still have to work hard to close the deal with the American people. "The American people have closed a chapter on conservative, compassionate government that has been in ascendancy from 1980 until the year 2006," Biden said. "They have now closed a chapter on this party, the Republican Party. Now, they're wondering who we are."