In the Headlines

"Obama Meets Israeli and Palestinian Leaders" (Jeff Zeleny, New York Times) - Senator Barack Obama opened a day of talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders on Wednesday, sharing breakfast with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak before traveling to the West Bank to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"Rumor turns talk to McCain" (Joseph Curl and Ralph Hallow, Washington Times) - With the American press corps - make that the entire global media conglomerate - tracking every move of Sen. Barack Obama across the Middle East and Europe, how on earth does Sen. John McCain break into the news? By floating a little veep talk, that's how.

"Antiwar activists split over Obama's troop plans" (David Lightman, McClatchy) - Barack Obama's plan to build up U.S. forces in Afghanistan while keeping perhaps 50,000 troops in Iraq has triggered a deep rift among antiwar activists, a reminder of the difficult tasking facing the presumptive Democratic nominee as he tries to broaden his appeal.

"Five Dems at risk of losing in November" (Josh Kraushaar, The Politico) - Yet for all the forces that seem to be conspiring against Republicans, there are a few signs of hope sprinkled across the congressional landscape. Even against the backdrop of a political environment that is toxic for Republican candidates, a handful of hapless Democrats have little to cheer about in what is otherwise shaping up as a promising year for the party.

On the Morning Shows

Fox and Friends - Gov. Bobby Jindal, on rumors he's meeting McCain today: "I'll say again on air, I'm not going to be the vice presidential nominee or vice president. I'm going to help Sen. John McCain get elected."

On rumors that McCain could choose a running mate this week: "I've never talked to the senator about the vice presidency or his thoughts on selecting a vice president. I'd certainly be surprised if he makes a decision this week ... I think the most important thing in picking a vice president is not what state they come from, not what demographic they appeal to, but rather whether the senator thinks this person could be ready to be president if, God forbid, that situation arises."

From Late Night

Jay Leno: