Oprah hit the trail for Obama during the primary season.

(CNN) — Oprah Winfrey will be on hand when Barack Obama accepts the Democratic nomination in Denver – but the talk show host, who was a key presence at rallies for the Illinois senator during the primary season, won’t take the stage, a representative from her production company told CNN Wednesday.

The spokeswoman also denied rumors Winfrey was planning to spend thousands renting a home in Denver during the convention.

In June, shortly after Obama effectively clinched the Democratic nomination, Winfrey – who appeared with him in several key early-voting states, including Iowa, New Hampshire and California – said she was "euphoric” over his victory.

“I've been doing the happy dance all day,” she said in a statement then. “I'm so proud of Barack and Michelle and what this means for all of us, the new possibilities for our country.”

She added that she’d be happy to hit the trail again on his behalf: “And if he wants me to, I'm ready to go door to door."

Hagel accompanied Obama on a recent trip to Iraq.

(CNN) — Former Republican Rep. Jim Leach endorsed Barack Obama's White House bid Tuesday, and said he hopes the Illinois senator considers a former GOP ally of rival John McCain as his running mate.

Speaking on a conference call with reporters to announce a new effort among Republicans in support of Obama's candidacy, Leach said he thought Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel should join the Democratic ticket.

"There are a number of impressive potential vice presidential candidates and this is a singular decision for one person, and that is Barack Obama," Leach said. "But personally I'd be hopeful in the list of serious candidates to be considered would be Chuck Hagel, whether it be for the veep position or a serious position in an Obama administration."

Listen: Republicans announce support of Obama

Hagel, who has butted heads with his party over the war in Iraq and is not seeking a third Senate term, has said he would consider a VP offer from Obama. But it remains unclear just how much of a consideration Hagel is.

iReport.com: Share your picks for VP

While the Vietnam War veteran would instantly add gravitas and bipartisanship to the ticket, his longstanding opposition to abortion rights and gay marriage would not sit well with the Democratic base.

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(CNN) –- Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama released a new energy plan Monday, highlighting and approving policy he initially opposed.

In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, CNN’s Jessica Yellin outlines the Illinois senator’s new plan and his ten-year goal for energy independence.

Not to be overshadowed on one of the hottest election-year issues, presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain challenged Obama to pressure Congress to get back in session and deal with rising gas prices. White House Correspondent Ed Henry reports.

Meanwhile, President Bush is still receiving criticism for his planned trip to attend the Olympic Games in Beijing. Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider releases new poll results about Bush’s participation in the controversial event.

Finally, does former President Bill Clinton have any new thoughts about his role during the primary season? CNN’s Mary Snow has the answer.

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(CNN) –The McCain campaign wants to know: do you want to elect “the biggest celebrity in the world?"

In the latest episode of CNN=Politics Daily, Dana Bash reports on John McCain’s new ad released Wednesday. You won’t believe who makes an appearance along with Sen. Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee.

There has been a lot of talk recently about Sen. Barack Obama’s vice presidential contenders, but Hillary Clinton seems to have faded from conversation. Suzanne Malveaux examines Clinton’s chance of making it onto Obama’s presidential ticket.

And Obama was well received abroad; how did he fair at home? Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider takes a look at a new poll that may have the answer.

Finally, Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens’ indictment may further damage the Republican Party in what is already a tough year for the GOP. Brian Todd investigates.

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(CNN) — Alaska Senator Ted Stevens’ time in Congress may be nearing its end after a very long tenure.

In the latest episode of CNN=Politics Daily, Justice Correspondent Kelli Arena reports on Stevens' indictment.

Senator John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, is receiving some harsh criticism from supporters for possible changes to social security payroll taxes. Mary Snow has the details.

And, Wolf Blitzer speaks with Robert Rubin, Secretary of the Treasury during the Clinton administration, about the economy and Sen. Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee.

Finally, Obama may be closer to picking his running mate. Suzanne Malveaux takes a look at some names that may be on Obama's short list.

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(CNN)–Sen. Barack Obama continues his tour overseas while Sen. John McCain criticizes him back home. In the latest installment of CNN = Politics Daily, Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowely outlines Obama’s trip thus far and explains how his campaign is defending its Iraq policy.

Meanwhile back in the States, the McCain campaign is still making the case that Obama’s Iraq policy is wrong. CNN’s Dana Bash has the details from Kennebunkport, Maine.

Plus: The New York Times is refusing to publish a McCain op-ed — even though it printed Obama’s just last week. CNN’s Howard Kurtz sheds light on the newspapers justification for its decision.

Finally: The presidential candidates are set to attend a religious forum together later this month. CNN’s Jessica Yellin reveals how Pastor Rick Warren was able to bring Obama and McCain to the same stage.

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(CNN) — Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain spoke at the NAACP convention Wednesday.

In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, Dana Bash takes a look at McCain's outreach to African-American voters and Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley breaks down a new poll on the role that race may be playing in the presidential election.

White House Correspondent Elaine Quijano reports on the Bush adminstration's decision to send a senior State Department official to participate in nuclear talks with Iran.

Is former presidential candidate Mitt Romney vying for McCain’s VP spot? Tom Foreman takes a look at why Romney may be a good choice for the GOP ticket.

Sen. Barack Obama has been talking about national security a lot lately. Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider sheds some light on why the presumptive Democratic nominee is focussing on the topic and looks ahead at Obama's planned trip abroad.

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(CNN)–Rev. Jessie Jackson is making headlines Wednesday for his controversial attack on Barack Obama. In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, CNN’s Don Lemon talks with the 1984 presidential Democratic candidate about his self-described “crude” remarks.

Obama faces attacks on another front Wednesday, as liberal bloggers criticize his vote in favor of the new FISA bill. CNN’s Tom Foreman reports on the senator’s support of the bill that allows unwarranted government wiretapping.

As the election draws near and President Bush’s administration comes to close, weighty policy questions about Iran loom. CNN’s Dana Bash outlines where Obama and McCain stand on US relations with the rogue nation.

Finally: has Obama’s infamous ‘bitter-gate’ comment returned? Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider suggests it has as he explains the Democratic Party’s continuing struggle to win over white working-class voters.

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McCain’s second Iran joke of the cycle is grabbing headlines.

(CNN) — Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain is raising eyebrows for a joke about killing Iranians — the second time the cycle a stab at humor involving the rogue nation has landed him in hot water.

At a Tuesday campaign event in Pennsylvania, a questioner referred to a recent survey that revealed cigarette exports to Iran rose significantly during the Bush administration. McCain replied jokingly, "Maybe that's a way of killing them."

After a few chuckles from those in attendance, he added "I meant that as a joke, as a person who hasn't had a cigarette in 28 years."

At a campaign event before the New Hampshire primary, the Arizona senator parodied the Beach Boys single “Barbara Ann,” replacing the lyrics with the words "Bomb Iran."

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(CNN) — Sen. John McCain was in Colombia Wednesday, the same day that the South American country's military mounted a risky hostage rescue operation.

In the latest installment of CNN = Politics Daily, Dana Bash reports on the briefing McCain received before the military operation began and what it might say about McCain's standing on the international stage.

Sen. Barack Obama prided himself on being the only major presidential candidate who opposed the Iraq war from its beginning. What will Obama do now that the Bush administration's surge strategy appears to be working? CNN’s Jessica Yellin takes a look.

Meanwhile, the McCain camp had a personnel change in its top ranks Wednesday. Dana Bash explains why some Republicans felt the change was necessary.

Obama's online campaigning has become one of his trademarks since the beginning of his presidential bid. But, now some of his supporters are using the Obama camp's own Web site to organize a movement against the Illinois senator. Abbi Tatton reports on the online community of Obama supporters who are banding together against his support for the new foreign surveillance bill.

Finally, Sen. Obama is refuting claims that the mortgage on his Chicago home was a sweat-heart deal. Brian Todd has the details.

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(CNN) — Are Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton going to tackle the general election campaign trail together between now and November? Their upcoming ‘unity tour’ planned for Friday suggests so.

In the latest installment of CNN = Politics Daily, Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley discusses the Clintons' role as the general election campaign heats up.

Meanwhile, Sen. John McCain talked energy Wednesday and the need for America to develop a new policy. CNN’s Dana Bash explains the senator’s plan to reach energy independence by the year 2025.

Not to be overshadowed, Sen. Obama held a press conference attacking McCain’s energy policy as “meaningless.”

Plus: June may mark the start of summer, but analysis of the 2008 White House race has been raging for months. Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider assesses the significance of new June poll results by tracing the predictive accuracy of June poll numbers in previous election cycles.

Finally: Speculation about the vice presidential picks is all over the Web. Internet Reporter Abbi Tatton explains how some individuals might benefit financially from the McCain-Obama veepstakes.

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(CNN)—Politicians and journalists alike paused Wednesday to pay final respects at the funeral of NBC’s Tim Russert. In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, Wolf Blitzer talks with CNN Washington Bureau Chief David Bohrman about the unexpected truce between campaign rivals John McCain and Barack Obama at services honoring Russert Wednesday.

But when the pair weren’t paying their last respects, the gloves remained off. CNN’s Dana Bash has the details on the latest foreign policy dust-up involving several campaign surrogates.

New polls show Obama gaining in crucial swing states. Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider does the math.

Plus: CNN made some important changes to its electoral map. You’ll want to see what important state now swings blue.

Finally: Both President Bush and John McCain are calling for Congress to lift the ban on offshore drilling as a way to address the nation’s soaring gas prices. CNN’s Brian Todd has your fact check on what impact that move would really have at the pump.

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Sen. Hillary Clinton suspended her presidential campaign last week.

(CNN) – After eight years of a Bush White House, Will Bower was looking for a Democrat to move into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in January 2009. But not just any Democrat. Bower wanted Hillary Clinton to win the Democratic nomination and move back into the home she left in January 1993.

After a bitter primary battle Clinton conceded the race to Barack Obama last week urging her supporters to back her rival. Bower heard the message, but he is not going to follow it. Instead, he said in an interview he plans to vote for Republican John McCain and has formed “Party Unity My A–,” otherwise known as PUMA to express his frustration at the Democratic Party.

WATCH: Hillary Clinton throw her support behind Obama

The initiative he said is “to unite voters who don't want Barack Obama as president.”

The 36 year-old Washington resident said his anger is not just directed at Obama, but the party as a whole.

“[The] Democratic Party has thrown away democratic principles through this primary season," charged Bower, who pointed to the delegate sanctions levied by the DNC against Michigan and Florida. "If parties won't uphold democratic principles; who will?"

The group is predominantly comprised of female Clinton supporters, said Bower. The Clinton-turned-McCain supporter said he has also helped launch the “Just Say No Deal,” a nationwide coalition he estimated has two million voters who are also vowing to ‘say no’ to the Illinois senator come November.

Bower acknowledged Obama will be crowned the Democratic nominee at the party’s August convention, but said he holds out hope that the GOP will uncover potentially harmful information between now and then. At that time, “the party might be desperate for another candidate," he said.

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(CNN) – Just over a week after creating a vice presidential selection committee, Barack Obama’s committee head Jim Johnson steps down. In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, CNN’s Suzanne Malveaux reports on the most recent development.

John McCain received some tough criticism Wednesday for his comment on the importance of bringing the troops home from Iraq. CNN’s Dana Bash has the details.

Meanwhile, as both candidates head to Pennsylvania Friday, Wolf Blitzer takes you on a overview of that swing state’s voting history.

Finally: Is Obama surpassing McCain’s effort to coalesce Clinton’s core constituency? CNN’s Jessica Yellin tells viewers why female voters are warming up to the presumptive Democratic nominee.

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(CNN)– In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, CNN’s Joe Johns reports on Sen. John McCain’s efforts to counter Barack Obama’s charge that his administration would represent a continuation of President Bush’s policies.

Meanwhile, the day after clinching the Democratic nomination, Sen. Barack Obama continues to go head-to-head in the general election battle with McCain over foreign affairs. State Department Correspondent Zain Verjee reports on Obama’s effort to quell some voters’ concerns over his Iran, Iraq policies.

Obama reached the magic delegate number of 2,118 Tuesday night, but Sen. Hillary Clinton has yet to concede the nomination. Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley explains what the New York senator’s next move could be.

Both parties’ presumptive nominees are eyeing Clinton’s strong group of female supporters. CNN’s Carol Costello has the latest details on McCain and Obama’s effort to woo her core constituency, while Internet reporter Abbi Tatton takes you online where Clinton asks her supporters for some help.

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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.