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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We thank you for your continued readership during The Note's renovations.

MUST-READS:

Politico's Jonathan Martin: "Rudy No Longer Interested in Federal Mandate on Handguns" LINK

Washington Post's Chris Cillizza: "McCain's Negative Flyer" LINK

Associated Press' Jesse Holland: "AFL-CIO sending presidential candidates to cities for interviews"LINK

Virginia Tech:

New York Times' Leslie Eaton and Michael Luo: "Shooting Rekindles Issues of Gun Rights and Restrictions"LINK

ABC News' Ed O'Keefe: "President Shares 'Hug and Cry' with Virginia Tech Families, Expects Gun Debate"LINK

Newsweek's Howard Fineman: "Gun Control? Don't Hold Your Breath" LINK

The Hill's Sam Youngman: "Dem hopefuls mostly mum on guns" LINK

ABC News' Jennifer Parker: "Culture or Control: Guns Spark Intense Political Debate" LINK

Baltimore Sun's Paul West: "Gun control back as a campaign issue" LINK

2008: Republicans: McCain:

Associated Press: "McCain avoiding South Carolina conventions" LINK

The State's Aaron Gould Sheinin: "Sen. Fair is paid aide to McCain: Sons of two other officials working for campaign" LINK

2008: Republicans: Giuliani:

The Ames Iowa Tribune's Todd Dorman: "Abortion could be Giuliani's Achilles' heel"LINK

Wall Street Journal's Laurie Cohen: "Pickens's New Commodity: Giuliani" LINK

Spartanburg Herald Journal's John Spencer: "Giuliani leads Spartanburg (SC) fundraising contest" LINK

2008: Republicans: Romney:

Associated Press' Jim Kuhnhenn: "Romney Helps Tap New Donors" LINK