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CNN=Politics Daily is The Best Political Podcast from the Best Political Team.

(CNN)— Presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama’s general election plans continued to come into focus Monday, as his campaign announced more than a dozen key hires. Meanwhile, former Vice President Al Gore endorsed Obama after remaining neutral for the primary season. In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley has your details on how Gore’s endorsement could help the Illinois senator, and more on Obama’s plans to visit Iraq before the November election.

Plus: The Democratic Party may not be able to throw the convention they’d hoped for in August. CNN’s Jim Acosta reports from Denver, Colorado on the party’s money troubles.

Meanwhile: presumptive Republican nominee John McCain worked to distance himself from a controversial Texas fund-raiser Monday, trying to shift the focus to economic woes. CNN’s Dana Bash has the details.

Finally: with an ongoing war in Iraq and an economy in trouble, President Bush’s approval ratings continue to drop. How will the last eight years affect John McCain and the Republicans in the fall? Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider has the latest poll findings on voter enthusiasm.

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