The Note's Sneak Peek

May 10, 2007— -- Coming up Thursday evening: at 6:30 pm ET on "World News with Charles Gibson," ABC News' Brian Ross looks at the relationship between former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's consulting firm and OxyContin, the pharmaceutical company that pled guilty Thursday to charges it "misled doctors and patients."

For a preview, check out ABCNews.com's "The Blotter": LINK

". . . Giuliani personally met with the head of the DEA when the DEA's drug diversion office began a criminal investigation into the company," report the ABCNews trio of Ross, Richard Esposito, and R. Schwartz.

At 7:10 pm ET Thursday, President Bush's speaks at an RNC gala at the DC Armory which will raise $10.5 million for party coffers.

Earlier Thursday, Bush said he was willing to work with Congress to include benchmarks for the performance of the Iraqi government in a war spending bill.

Bush's comments prompted Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., to tell Radio Iowa's Kay Henderson in a phone interview Thursday that Bush's seeming embrace of benchmarks is "quite a move on his part" and evidence that the president's Wednesday meeting with a group of moderate Republicans had an impact on him. "That's what I've been saying now for weeks," said Clinton, "that on our own the Democrats cannot force or require this president to change course in Iraq but when the Republicans start to bail out on him and tell him that he has to change his policy, then he will start to listen and apparently he has gotten the message because he went over to the Pentagon this morning and made it clear that he was going to at least consider benchmarks. We're not sure exactly what that means, but that's quite a move on his part."Out in Chicago, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., talks to press at 7:30 pm ET.

As for Friday . . .

Giuliani makes 9:30 am ET remarks at the Houston Baptist University.

These will be his first public remarks since The New York Times' Adam Nagourney and Marc Santora wrote that Giuliani is planning to offer "a forthright affirmation of his support for abortion rights" while de-emphasizing the early states in favor of the mega states which vote Feb. 5.

Chuck Laudner, the executive director of Iowa's Republican Party, reacted to the New York Times story by telling ABC News that he sees it -- more than anything else -- as an effort on the part of Giuliani's campaign to lower expectations in the state which holds the first nominating contest.

"Everywhere you go you are running into Giuliani staffers," said Laudner in an effort to underscore the efforts Giuliani has made in Iowa thus far.

McCain is in Washington, DC, with no public events.

Rep. Tom Tancredo R-Colo., whom Iowa's Laudner calls "a sleeper," holds a 7:00 pm ET town hall meeting in Cedar Rapids.

On the Democratic side, the International Association of Fire Fighters hears from four more Democratic '08ers in New Hampshire on Friday.

Sens. Chris Dodd D-Conn., leads off at 11:45 am ET followed by Sen. Joe Biden D-Del., at 11:00 am ET, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., at 11:45 am ET, and former Sen. John Edwards at 6:00 pm ET. (The fire fighters heard from Gov. Bill Richardson, D-N.M., Thursday).

Obama will talk to the New Hampshire fire fighters by phone because he will be in Iowa.

While in the Hawkeye State, Obama sits down Friday with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos for his first Sunday show interview since getting into the presidential race.

An excerpt of the must-see Obama interview will play Friday on "World News with Charles Gibson". The full interview will be broadcast Sunday morning on "This Week". In addition to his taped interview with Stephanopoulos, Obama also has a 9:00 am ET town hall forum in Des Moines before going to Missouri for a 4:30 pm ET St. Louis kick-off at The Moolah Theatre.

Clinton spends her day in New Hampshire talking health care in Exeter at 10:00 am ET followed by a roundtable on children's health care at 4:00 pm ET in Laconia. Clinton rounds out her day with a 5:30 pm ET house party in Meredith.

Edwards starts his day in North Carolina where he congratulates seniors at Greene Central High at 9:15 am ET before going to New Hampshire for his 6:00 pm ET meeting with the fire fighters which will be followed by a media availability. He talks to Young Democrats in Manchester at 8:00 pm ET.

Richardson's presidential "job interview" continues Friday when the New Mexico governor appears on the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

While in New Hampshire for the fire fighters, Dodd campaigns in Portsmouth, Madbury, and Manchester.

Sen. Joe Biden D-Del., addresses the Federation of State and Provincial Fire Fighters in Portsmouth, NH, and attends house parties in Hillsborough and Bradford.

Sen. Sam Brownback R-Kans., campaigns in Iowa before heading to Wisconsin for a 7:00 pm ET media availability in Lake Geneva and 8:15 pm ET speech to the Wisconsin Republican convention.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich R-Ga., delivers 11:00 am ET remarks to the Texas Bankers Association at the Hilton Austin Hotel.

President Bush travels to Latrobe, Pa., for Saint Vincent College's commencement speech at 11:00 am ET. Back at the White House, the president makes 3:15 pm ET remarks commemorating Military Spouse Day and presents the President's Volunteer Service Awards.

First Lady Laura Bush delivers 8:00 pm ET remarks at the graduation celebration of the University of Texas at Arlington.