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(CNN)—In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, an international crisis has highlighted presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain’s foreign policy strengths. Could this be McCain’s moment? Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider reports.

The Colorado-based group Focus on the Family released a controversial ad last month that called on Christians to “pray for rain” to drown out presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama’s acceptance speech at the Denver convention. Internet reporter Abbi Tatton takes a look at the recent flood of criticism.

Plus: President Bush is struggling to keep the pressure on Russia, but McCain and Obama’s outspoken comments on the Russia/Georgia crisis are not making the diplomatic situation any less complicated. White House Correspondent Ed Henry has the story.

Finally: There are two categories that Obama’s VP contenders fall into – those that reinforce Obama’s message of “change” and those that counterbalance his perceived weaknesses. Jessica Yellin takes a look at the Illinois senator’s potential running mates and the groups into which they fall.

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(CNN) – In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, deals are being made between Baghdad and Washington to pull troops out of Iraq by 2010. CNN’s Brian Todd has the details on the projected two-year timeline.

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain took credit for advocating the surge in Iraq — now he’s proposing an economic surge. CNN White House Correspondent Ed Henry reports on the Arizona senator’s latest economic plan and how he blasts presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama’s approach to taxes and government spending.

Plus: Will Hillary Clinton's name be placed into nominated at the Democratic convention? As the event approaches, many are wondering whether Clinton’s role at the convention will be one of unity or discord between the two respective teams. CNN’s Jessica Yellin has the story.

Finally: Arnold Schwarzenegger gets tough. The California governor and legislators are at a partisan stalemate on how to deal with the state budget. CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider has the story on the showdown between the "governator" and the California legislature.

Watch Paris Hilton’s message for McCain

(CNN) — Paris Hilton has fired back in response to presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain's "Celeb" ad comparing the 27-year-old heiress to Barack Obama.

The less-than-two-minute spot was paid for by the comedy video Web site, funnyordie.com. It features Hilton sprawling in a lounge chair in a swimsuit. The socialite mocks McCain's ad, saying, "I want America to know that I'm, like, totally ready to lead."

What are Hilton's thoughts on energy policy? She says her position is a "hybrid" of Obama and McCain's. "Energy crisis solved," the heiress declares.

Related: How did Paris Hilton's response come about?

Hilton, who's built a career out of being a celebrity, also reveals her pick for vice president and plans while in office. "I'm thinking Rihanna. I'll see you at the White House. Oh, and I might paint it pink. I hope that's cool with you guys," she says.

"I'm Paris Hilton and I approve this message because I think it's totally hot."

The McCain camp responded to Hilton's ad Tuesday. "It sounds like Paris Hilton supports John McCain's 'all of the above' approach to America's energy crisis - including both alternatives and drilling. Paris Hilton might not be as big a celebrity as Barack Obama, but she obviously has a better energy plan," says McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds.

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(CNN) – In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, Pulitzer prize-winning author Ron Suskind claims that the White House went to disturbing lengths to justify the War on Terrorism. CNN’s Brian Todd reports on the accusations within the author’s controversial new book.

Will Dick Cheney attend the Republican National Convention in Minnesota? CNN’s Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider takes a look at the GOP’s recent snub of the VP and how McCain’s camp factors into his attendance of the event.

Plus: Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama is confronted with the age limit question during a townhall debate. CNN’s Jessica Yellin reports on how the Illinois senator navigated around this “tricky question.”

Finally: Presumptive presidential nominees John McCain and Barack Obama have sharp policy differences on how to deal with the nation’s growing energy crisis—Including their positions on nuclear power. CNN White House Correspondent Ed Henry has the latest on the candidates’ recent attacks on their opponent’s energy policies while on the campaign trail.

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(CNN) — In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama spar over McCain's accusation that Obama is playing the “race card." Dana Bash reports on McCain’s aggressive claim that Obama is using racial tactics on the campaign trail.

The Obama camp fights back with the launch of a new website. The presumptive Democratic nominee blasts McCain by accusing the Arizona senator of distracting voters from the issues and engaging in “low-road politics.” Suzanne Malveaux reports.

Meanwhile: American voters are in a bad mood. Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider takes a look at the latest polls that reveals voters are unhappy with how things are going in the country.

Energy policy is one of a handful of issues dominating political debate, but are the candidates really providing solutions to America’s growing energy crisis? Suzanne Malveaux has the story.

Finally: Pro-McCain or Anti-Obama? Mary Snow reports on how New York Democrats are defecting from their party and throwing their support behind McCain.

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(CNN) – Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain says what his top priority would be if elected president, in a CNN exclusive interview with Wolf Blitzer. In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, the Arizona senator talks about bringing the troops back from Iraq and how he’d bring Osama bin Laden to justice.

Plus: Was the Pentagon involved in presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama’s decision to cancel his visit to a U.S. military hospital in Germany? CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider reports on the uproar over the Obama campaign’s cancellation of the trip.

And: The McCain campaign launches “McCain Nation.” CNN Internet Reporter Abbi Tatton takes a look at the new online event planner that aims to organize and bring McCain supporters together to help campaign for the candidate.

Finally: Obama sits down with CNN Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley in an exclusive interview. The Illinois senator defends himself against criticism of his travels abroad and talks about the delicate situation between the Israelis and Palestinians.

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(CNN) – Shortly before Barack Obama took the stage in Berlin, Germany Thursday, John McCain’s campaign tried to keep the spotlight on domestic concerns with a conference call focused on the nation’s energy crisis, and Democratic opposition to off-shore oil drilling. “Barack Obama is touring Europe and back home his leadership, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, are opposing any effort to expand exploration in the United States,” said McCain policy advisor Doug Holtz-Eakin.

The call was originally intended to highlight a visit by the presumptive Republican nominee to an off-shore oil rig in Louisiana — a photo op that had to be scrubbed late Wednesday, as Hurricane Dolly headed for the Gulf Coast.

Listen: McCain advisors say Democratic policy is costing Americans at the pump

The Obama's are on the cover of People Magazine.

(CNN) — If John McCain captures the White House in November, the Arizona senator might not be the only happy party: in a new People magazine interview, Barack Obama tells the magazine that he suspects his own daughters might be relieved if his presidential bid falls short.

"They have a wonderful life in Chicago," he said, in an interview released Friday. "So I'm sure there's a part of them that won't be heartbroken if things don't work out."

That life includes a jam-packed schedule of dance, gymnastics and piano lessons, plus soccer and tennis — but it isn’t all fun and games. The Obamas may spend “hundreds” on slumber parties – but they don’t give their daughters Christmas or birthday presents, in order to "teach some limits."

"Malia says, 'I know there is a Santa because there's no way you'd buy me all that stuff,'" says Michelle Obama.

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President Bush said Wall Street got drunk.

(CNN) — Financial experts have spent months tracing the roots of the housing market implosion that sent the global economy into chaos. President Bush has his own explanation: Wall Street got drunk.

"There's no question about it. Wall Street got drunk," Bush told supporters at a Republican fundraiser in Houston Friday. "It got drunk and now it's got a hangover. The question is, how long will it sober up and not try to do all these fancy financial instruments?"

His comments at the private event were recorded on a cell phone, and posted to the Web Tuesday.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the president was just relating his views in a slightly more colorful manner. "He has said before that Wall Street was dealing with very complex financial instruments and that the markets didn't fully understand the risks that those instruments posed to the system," she said Wednesday.

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(CNN) – In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley reports on presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama’s part fact-finding, part photo-op trip overseas. The Illinois senator travels to international hotspots like Afghanistan and Iraq, and voices his continued support of a 16-month timetable for troop withdrawal.

Meanwhile: Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain continues to relentlessly criticize Obama’s opposition to the troop surge in Iraq. In a town hall meeting in the battleground state of New Hampshire, the Arizona senator says Obama would rather lose the war in order to win a political campaign. CNN’s Dana Bash has the story.

Also: CNN’s Brianna Keilar looks at the Democrats’ push to crack down on oil speculators, and T. Boone Pickens’ pitch to Congress to break U.S. dependence on foreign oil. How does the billionaire oilman propose to solve the growing energy crisis?

Finally: Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider takes a look at the Iraqi surge, then and now.

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(CNN) — Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama criticized President Bush and Sen. John McCain about the U.S. presence in Iraq and policy regarding Afghanistan. Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley reports on the major foreign policy address the Illinois senator gave Tuesday.

And: Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain responded to Obama’s attacks, blasting the Illinois senator’s national security credentials and proposal to transfer troops from Iraq to Afghanistan. Dana Bash has the latest on McCain’s comprehensive strategy for victory in the war on terrorism.

In the latest episode of CNN=Politics Daily, President Bush attempted to calm American fears over financial markets and struggling gas prices. White House Correspondent Elaine Quijano reports on the President’s recent comments about the banking industry and his plea to Congress to remove the ban on off-shore oil drilling.

Plus: Barack Obama and John McCain are keeping a close eye on American concerns about the economy. Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider breaks down how the presidential candidates are selling their economic plans to voters.

Finally: The Obama campaign removed criticisms about the success of the Iraqi military surge from its Web site. Abbi Tatton takes a look at the campaign’s internet reversal.

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(CNN)—In an exclusive interview with CNN, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama sits down with Fareed Zakaria to discuss his foreign policy vision. In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer gets a sneak peak at the Illinois senator’s views on Osama Bin Laden.

Plus: Will Obama be allowed to speak at a historic landmark in Berlin? German Chancellor Angela Merkel is skeptical about the Illinois senator’s request to campaign at the Brandenburg Gate. CNN’s White House Correspondent Ed Henry has the story.

Meanwhile: presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain re-launched his campaign under new management this week. CNN’s Dana Bash looks how successful the Arizona senator’s re-launch was.

Finally: In a podcast exclusive, CNN’s Jennifer Mikell gives you your weekly dose of Trail Mix—the most memorable campaign moments making headlines this week.

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(CNN) — In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama courts religious voters.  Jessica Yellin reports on the Illinois senator’s proposal to expand President Bush's support for faith-based community groups.

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain travels to Colombia to discuss one of his big differences with Barack Obama –- foreign trade policy. Dana Bash has the story on the Arizona senator’s support for free trade.

Also: In the race for the White House, Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain are locked in a virtual dead heat. Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley discusses the latest CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll.

Finally: A politically powerful gun group is running advertisements targeting Obama’s position on gun control. Will the attack hurt the Democratic senator’s presidential campaign? Brian Todd reports.

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(CNN) – In the latest episode of CNN=Politics Daily, Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley reports on Hillary Clinton’s return to the Senate. The New York senator talks with reporters for the first time since suspending her campaign.

Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain looked to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to spotlight his energy plan in an event Tuesday, but the differences between the two on the topic of offshore drilling were never discussed. CNN’s Dana Bash reports.

Plus: Sen. Barack Obama under attack. Evangelical leader James Dobson accuses the Illinois senator of distorting the Bible and misinterpreting the Constitution. Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider has the latest.

Finally: CNN Internet Correspondent Abbi Tatton reports on Hillary Clinton’s online push for funds.

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(CNN)—In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are planning to join forces to help the Illinois senator capture the White House in November. CNN's Suzanne Malveaux reports on Clinton's plans to hit the campaign trail in hopes of rallying support behind Obama's candidacy.

Meanwhile: presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain spoke in Canada Friday about his support of free-trade policy and worked to portray Obama as a protectionist. CNN’s Dana Bash has the details.

Plus: Obama accused the Arizona senator Friday of flip-flopping on immigration policy. Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider reports.

Finally: Mayor Michael Bloomberg urged voters to reject false rumors surrounding the presidential candidates. The New York mayor encouraged the electorate to focus exclusively on the facts when deciding what candidate to vote for in the fall. CNN's Mary Snow reports from New York.

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(CNN) —As the first week of the general election campaign winds down, both camps are sending signals that they’re ready for a long fight.

In the latest episode of CNN=Politics Daily, Sen. Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee, launched a new website Thursday intended to combat rumors about him and his campaign. Suzanne Malveaux has the story.

A day after the resignation of the head of Obama’s vice presidential search team, Sen. John McCain sets his sights on another Obama adviser. Dana Bash takes a look at the latest salvo from the McCain campaign as well as both nominees’ claims of practicing a different kind of politics.

The Supreme Court dealt another blow Thursday to the Bush administration’s approach to the war on terror. Brian Todd reports on how differently Obama and McCain would battle terrorism if elected.

As the general election battle ramps up, who’s ahead with the American public in terms of personal qualities? Bill Schneider breaks down the latest CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll. The results may surprise you.

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(CNN)—In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley sits down for an exclusive one-on-one with presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama. In the interview, the Illinois senator discusses the question that’s on everyone’s mind: who will be his choice for Vice President.

Hillary Clinton is expected to officially drop out of the presidential race Saturday, but some of her constituents wished the New York senator had done things differently. CNN’s Suzanne Malveaux reports.

Finally: Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain worked to court voters in Florida, which in the past has proved to be a crucial fall swing state.

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WASHINGTON (CNN) — After weeks of planning by unions, women’s rights groups and others supporting Hillary Clinton's push to seat Florida and Michigan delegates at the Democratic convention this summer, supporters of the New York senator's presidential bid arrived in the nation’s capital by the busload Friday in advance of rallies outside Saturday's Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting.

“I’m hoping we restore 100 percent of the delegates from both Michigan and Florida and the popular vote will also be restored,” said Karen Feldman, an organizer of the “Count Every Vote” rally. “…I firmly believe that in Florida that was the purest election we’ve ever had, and I think that those votes should stand where they are and should be counted the way they are.”

Florida Demands Representation, another sponsoring group pushing for the January 29 vote to be recognized by the national party, said Friday it was expecting 400 to 500 supporters to arrive by Saturday. “The Democratic party is in danger in Florida,” said organizer James Hannagan.

The seating of the Florida and Michigan delegations is a priority for Clinton, who won both unsanctioned contests and is currently trailing frontrunner Barack Obama by 202 delegates in the latest CNN count.

Hannagan said that if Clinton is not the Democratic nominee, some members of his forum will vote for McCain, write in Hillary’s name or not vote at all.

The Clinton campaign has tacitly encouraged pressure on RBC members meeting to resolve the controversy, but has denied any role in protests planned for Saturday.

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(CNN)— The Democratic Rules and Bylaws Committee is preparing to make the final ruling Saturday on how many delegates to seat from Michigan and Florida. In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, CNN’s Suzanne Malveaux gives a preview of what the decision could mean for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama's chances at the Democratic nomination.

Clinton’s hoping for a big win in Puerto Rico’s primary Sunday to bolster her argument she is ahead in the popular vote. The New York senator has been heavily campaigning on the island along with Bill and Chelsea Clinton. CNN’s Jessica Yellin reports.

Meanwhile: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid are putting the pressure on the undecided superdelegates—asking them to help wrap up the Democratic nomination.

Plus: just as the controversy surrounding Rev. Jeremiah Wright seems to have subsided, Barack Obama’s campaign is forced to apologize for another pastor’s inappropriate remarks.

Finally: in a podcast exclusive, CNN’s Jennifer Mikell has your weekly dose of trail mix — the most memorable moments making waves on the campaign trail this week.

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Barack Obama's campaign released a new ad staring Tom Daschle.

(CNN)—Barack Obama’s campaign has launched a new ad in South Dakota Tuesday aimed at shoring up his support among the working-class and rural voters that dominate Democratic politics in the state.

In the 30-second spot, former Sen. Tom Daschle says that Obama “is rooted in the same values as most South Dakotans. He has an understanding of America — rural and urban alike.”

The ad also makes an economic appeal to blue-collar voters suffering from the rising cost of food and gas: “Obama understands that squeeze,” says Daschle.

The spot also touts the Illinois senator’s support from two of the state’s top Democrats, Sen. Tim Johnson and Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin.

On Monday, the campaign also hit the airwaves with “Listening,” a one-minute spot featuring portions of his stump speech that has aired in other states throughout the primary season.

South Dakota voters head to the polls in one week, with 23 delegates at stake.