In the Headlines

"Senator Barack Obama raised $52 million in June" (Jeff Zeleny, New York Times) - Senator Barack Obama raised $52 million in June, his campaign announced on Thursday morning, more than twice the amount he raised one month earlier before claiming the Democratic presidential nomination.

"NAACP Gives McCain a Respectful Reception" (Robin Abcarian, Los Angeles Times) - John McCain ventured into solid Barack Obama territory and did not shy from a cause dear to conservatives' hearts -- school vouchers -- and noted that Obama, who opposes them, derided the "tired rhetoric about vouchers and school choice."

"Congress Ratings Plunge in Poll" (Ken Dilanian, USA Today) - Congressional job approval ratings have sunk to their lowest point in three decades, according to the latest Gallup Poll. A survey found that 14% approve of the job Congress is doing. Seventy-five percent disapprove of Congress and 10% have no opinion.

"In Iraq, Mixed Feelings About Obama and His Troop Proposal" (Sabrina Tavernise and Richard A. Oppel Jr., New York Times) - Obama's support for troop withdrawal cuts both ways, reflecting a deep internal quandary in Iraq: for many middle-class Iraqis, affection for Mr. Obama is tempered by worry that his proposal could lead to chaos in a nation already devastated by war.

On the Morning Shows

Morning Joe - Dee Dee Myers on Obama's trip overseas: "I think it's critical, it's a high wire act he's taking on here. This will be covered much more like a first trip by a president than a presidential candidate. He has to be credible as commander in chief, not better than McCain but credible."

Fox & Friends - Former Sen. John Breaux (D-LA) on more oil drilling in America: "We can't tell OPEC and other countries to create more oil when we're not doing enough in our own country. American public opinion has now changed, they now support it."