Compiled by Jonathan Helman
CNN Washington Bureau

NY Times: With Faith in the Spotlight, Candidates Battle for Catholic Votes
Many years have passed since the Democratic Party was as much a part of American Catholic identity as weekly Mass and parochial school. But it still came as a shock to many Democrats to lose the Catholic vote, a key group in must-win states like Ohio, in the 2004 presidential election. It is an experience they are determined not to repeat.

WSJ: McCain Economic Plan To Show a Mixed Approach
Mixing austerity and tax cuts, Sen. John McCain will lay out Tuesday an economic plan that includes increased Medicare premiums for wealthy seniors and a one-year freeze on spending along with a proposal to review a vast swath of federal programs.

Philadelphia Inquirer: Democrats On Fence Look At Viability
For them, it's not a question of which candidate is right on the issues. They believe either one would pull the troops out of Iraq. They believe either one would be an advocate for the environment and a friend of the middle class. For undecided Democratic voters in the Philadelphia area, the question that rises above all others is this: Which candidate would better be able to stand up to Republican Party assaults and capture the White House this fall? Sen. Hillary Clinton? Or Sen. Barack Obama?

LA Times: John McCain 'Narrowly' Backs Law To Shield Journalists
Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, said Monday that he supported federal legislation to protect journalists' confidential sources — a position that puts him at odds with the Bush administration, which contends that the legislation threatens national security.

Washington Post: McCain Echoes Clinton's Attacks
Sen. John McCain joined in the criticism of Sen. Barack Obama yesterday for Obama's comments about "bitter" victims of small-town economic distress, while Obama's rival for the Democratic presidential nomination weighed in with a tough new ad on the controversy.

WSJ: Democrats Woo Cuban-American Voters
Democratic Party is mounting its first serious challenge in years against Republican domination of Cuban-American voters in South Florida. The fight could affect politics in the battleground state as well as U.S. relations with Cuba.

WSJ: McCain Seeks Funds Despite Legal Hurdles
Sen. John McCain continues to raise and spend money for his presidential campaign despite mounting legal hurdles, a bet that the race will be over before Washington's hobbled election watchdogs can unholster their guns.

NY Times: At Clinton’s Side in Pennsylvania, a Dedicated and Often Blunt Promoter
Edward G. Rendell, the governor of Pennsylvania, demonstrated his value to Senator Hillary Clinton last weekend, helping her quickly devise a strategy to counter and exploit remarks by Senator Barack Obama.

AP: Rice Rules Out Spot on McCain Ticket
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice sought to end speculation Monday that she might be a vice-presidential running mate for Senator John McCain.

WSJ: Obama Remarks Change The Campaign Conversation
The dust-up over Sen. Barack Obama's remarks about rural America is forcing both Democratic candidates to talk about guns, abortion and family values — issues that don't win them many votes among the social conservatives they are trying hard to court in the Rust Belt, South and West.

LA Times: Barack Obama Tries To Soften 'Bitter' Bite
Barack Obama, trying to quell the uproar over his recent remarks about "bitter" Americans in small towns, struck back at his rivals Monday by saying that voters were tired of politicians who fanned "fake controversies" for their own advantage.

Washington Times: Obama Values 'Great Favor'
Sen. Barack Obama yesterday said his Democratic rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton, has previewed every attack Republicans can use against him in the fall general election — and Sen. John McCain's comments proved him right.