The Mini-Note

— -- The Note is undergoing some changes. In the meantime, The Mini-Note will provide you an early look at the must-read political stories of the day likely to dominate the political news cycle. If you want to get an early jump on the day in politics, you will want to make The Mini-Note your first stop of the morning.

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Iraq Politics:
Washington Times' S.A. Miller: "GOP leaders demand end of recess to finish war bill" LINK

Washington Post's Dana Milbank: "The White House Commemorates a Very Special Day" LINK

On the Hill:
Associated Press' David Espo: "Congress Approval Up" LINK

Washington Times' Sean Lengell: "Senate stem-cell vote short of veto override" LINK

2008: Republicans:
Washington Post's Dan Balz: "McCain, Romney Advisers Spar Over Mormon Religion" LINK

2008: Republicans: McCain:
Washington Post's E.J. Dionne: "The McCain Tragedy" LINK

2008: Republicans: Romney:
Associated Press' Glen Johnson: "Romney to Push Defense Spending Increase" LINK

The Massachusetts Republican's Dan Ring: "Romney will speak on abortion" LINK

2008: Republicans: Giuliani:
John Podhoretz: "Get Real, Rudy: You're Blowing Your White House Run." LINK

Associated Press: "Giuliani glittered as prosecutor" LINK

Giuliani adviser Bill Simon on National Review Online: "Life with Giuliani" LINK

2008: Republicans: F. Thompson:
Boston Globe Columnist Peter Canellos: "GOP may cast actor into a starring role" LINK

2008: Democrats:
New York Daily News' Helen Kennedy: "Bam tunes out Fox debate: Obama joins Edwards in skipping network's Dems forum; Hil says she'll pass, too" LINK

Boston Globe's Charlie Savage: "Campaigning gets a new Web version: 'Virtual town hall' for Democrats" LINK