The Note's Must-Reads

August 21, 2008— -- 2008: McCain and Obama:

The New York Times' Michael Cooper and Dalia Sussman: "Voters in Poll Want Priority to Be Economy, Their Top Issue" LINK

The Wall Street Journal's Laura Meckler: "McCain Closes Gap on Obama In Poll as Conventions Loom" LINK

Bloomberg's Matthew Benjamin: "Americans Less Gloomy on Economy Amid Discontent, Poll Finds" LINK

The Wall Street Journal's Karl Rove: "Conventions Need a Believable Script" LINK

The New York Times' Carl Hulse: "Advocacy Groups, in Big Ad Campaigns, Step Up Intensity of Senate Races" LINK

The Politico's Kenneth P. Vogel and Lisa Lerer: "Candidates stump in swing states, trade shots" LINK

The Wall Street Journal's Elisabeth Holmes: "Republicans Plan to Grab Some Denver Limelight" LINK

The Wall Street Journal's Stephen Power: "Voters Want Everything on Energy" LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Stephen Braun: "McCain and Obama tax plans diverge on wealth" LINK

The Boston Globe's Michael Kranish: "Lieberman both courted and loathed" LINK

2008: McCain:

The Washington Post's Lois Romano: "The Silver Bullet - Steve Schmidt Makes Sure His Candidate Knows Exactly What He Is Shooting For" LINK

The Politico's Jonathan Martin and Mike Allen: "Exclusive: McCain calls lobbyists 'birds of prey'" LINK

The Politico's Alexander Burns: "Poll: McCain holds edge on patriotism" LINK

The Associated Press: "McCain Spent $32 Million in July" LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Maeve Reston and Bob Drogin: "Conservatives urge McCain to select a running mate who opposes abortion" LINK

The Associated Press: "Giuliani to be keynote speaker at GOP convention" LINK

Bloomberg's Hans Nichols: "McCain's Knife-Wielding Captor Leads Vietnam in Rooting for Him" LINK

The Hill's Claus Marre: "Romney, Jindal to Speak on VP Night at GOP Convention" LINK

The New York Sun's Russell Berman: "King Calls Lieberman 'Perfect' VP" LINK

The Boston Heralds' Hillary Chabot: "Rumors Swirl as Mitt Romney Named RNC Speaker" LINK