RNC Raised $6M in July

ABC News’ Rick Klein reports: The Republican National Committee is set to announce today that it raised $6 million last month, bringing the party committee a total of $21.8 million in cash on hand as spending picks up in two key gubernatorial contests.

The RNC raised nearly $9 million in June, and had $23.7 million in the bank — with no debt — at the end of that month. The Democratic National Committee, meanwhile, had $13 million in cash on hand, and was carrying a debt of nearly $5 million, as of the end of June, the latest filing available.

Both parties are investing in the two governor’s races taking place this fall, in New Jersey and Virginia.

“The RNC continues to mount a very effective fundraising effort and we are extremely thankful to the Americans who have contributed to the financial success of our party,” RNC Chairman Michael Steele plans to say in a statement being released today. “The Republican Party will be successful in the coming elections this fall and in 2010 thanks to the generosity of our donors.”

UPDATE: The DNC’s filing for July shows a particularly strong money month for Democrats. The party committee raised $9.3 million last month, bringing its cash-on-hand total to $16.3 million. The DNC is also carrying $5.1 million in debt.

The Note’s Must-Reads for Friday, July 24, 2009

The Note's Must-Reads are a round-up of today's political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at http://www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News? CARRIE HALPERIN, JAYCE HENDERSON, CLAUDIA MORALES, VALENCIA WICKER, AND KRISTEN RED-HORSE

BOOKMARKS:

The Note: LINK

The Must-Reads Online: LINK

Top Line Webcast: LINK

ABC News Politics: LINK

The Political Punch (Jake Tapper): LINK

Radar: LINK

George's Bottom Line (George Stephanopoulos): LINK

Follow ABC News Correspondents on Twitter: LINK

ABC News Mobile: LINK

ABC News on your iPhone/iPod Touch: LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA:

ABC News? Kristina Wong: ?Poll: Obama?s Popularity Lifts U.S. Global Image? LINK

Politico?s Carol E. Lee: ?President Obama returns to Chicago? LINK

Politico?s Michael Calderone: ?Presser draws 24.7 million; 14 percent drop? LINK

USA Today?s Susan Page: ?Obama?s ?rock star? persona boosts U.S.? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Robert Tomsho: ?Obama to Unveil Guidelines for New Education Fund? LINK

The New York Times' Peter Baker: “Obama Complains About the News Cycle but Manipulates It, Worrying Some” LINK

The Washington Post's Michael Shear and Nick Anderson: “A $4 Billion Push for Better Schools” LINK

The Washington Post's Kari Lydersen: “Obama Visits Chicago for DNC Fundraisers” LINK

FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

The Los Angeles Times' Julian E. Barnes: ?U.S. stops giving militant death tolls in Afghanistan? LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Megan K. Stack: ?Biden pledges U.S. support for Georgia in tempered speech? LINK

The Washington Times' Nicholas Kralev: ?Sticks and stones: Clinton, North Korea trade insults? LINK

USA Today?s Emily Bazar: ?International rallies to support Iranians? LINK

USA Today?s Ken Dilanian and Aamer Madhani: ?Al-Maliki honors U.S. sacrifice in Iraq? LINK

USA Today?s Foster Klug: ?USA, China must improve climate cooperation? LINK

Newsweek?s Mohammed Herzallah: ?Civil Sore? LINK

Newsweek?s Christopher Dickey: ?Exit Tragedies? LINK

The New York Times' Eric Schmitt: “U.S. Officials Say a Son of bin Laden May Be Dead” LINK

Time Magazines? Mark Thompson: ?Lowering Expectations for the War in Afghanistan? LINK

HEALTH CARE:

ABC News? Karen Travers, Jake Tapper, and Kate Barrett: ?Senate: Health Care Won?t Get Done By August Recess? LINK

ABC News? Melinda Arons and Lauren Sher: ?Exclusive: President Obama Pushes Forward on Health Care Pitch? LINK

The Hill's Mike Soraghan and Jared Allen: ?Deadline push dropped after health momentum fizzles? LINK

The Hill's Sam Youngman: ?Obama comment on cop throws message off track? LINK

USA Today?s John Fritze: ?Senate delays vote on health care? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Laura Meckler: ?Obama's Health Expert Gets Political? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Janet Adamy in Washington and Jonathan Weisman in Shaker Heights, Ohio: ?Senate Won't Hit August Deadline? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s John D. Mckinnon: ?GOP, in Attack Mode, Tries to Avoid Obstructionist Label? LINK

The New York Times' Kevin Sack: “For Public, Obama Didn't Fill in Health Blanks” LINK

The New York Times' David Herszenhorn and Jeff Zeleny: “As Health Bill Is Delayed, White House Negotiates” LINK

The Washington Post's Shailagh Murray, Paul Kane and Michael Fletcher: “Health Reform Deadline In Doubt” LINK

Time Magazines? Jay Newton-Small: ?The State of Play for Health-Care Reform? LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA ON HENRY LOUIS GATES JR.:

ABC News? Huma Khan and Michele McPhee: ?Obama Defends Criticism of Cambridge Police in Arrest of Gates? LINK

Politico?s Ben Smith and Nia-Malika Henderson: ?President Obama steps on third rail of race? LINK

The New York Times' Abby Goodnough: “Sergeant Who Arrested Professor Defends Actions” LINK

The Washington Post's Krissah Thompson and Cheryl Thompson: “Officer Tells His Side of The Story in Gates Arrest” LINK

The Washington Post's Garance Franke-Ruta: “Obama Stands by His Criticism” LINK

USA Today?s Kevin Johnson, Alan Gomez and Marisol Bello: ?The Professor, policeman and president? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s John Hechinger and Simmi Aujla: ?Police Chief Responds to Obama's Remarks? LINK

Boston Herald Columnist: ?Flap far from black and white? LINK

ECONOMY:

USA Today?s Matt Krantz: ?Stocks rally on home sales report as Dow tops 9,000? LINK

USA Today?s Greg Toppo: ?Teachers could earn more under plan? LINK

USA Today?s William M. Welch: ?Protests grow with Calif. Budget struggles? LINK

DEMOCRATS/GOP:

ABC News? Jonathan Karl: ?Cheney: Scooter Libby Deserved a Pardon? LINK

ABC News? Gary Langer: ?Sarah Palin Losing Popularity, Problems for Political Future? LINK

The Hill's Alexander Bolton: ?Dems demand more coordination from leaders? LINK

USA Today?s Fredreka Schouten: ?Lobbyists get power access via caucuses? LINK

Politico?s Josh Kraushaar: ?Former NFL coach Sam Wyche mulls House run in South Carolina? LINK

Politico?s Jonathan Martin: ?Douglas Wilder rejects Barack Obama?s overture in Virginia governor?s race? LINK

Politico?s Glen Thrush: ?Did GOP stall for Boehner ?Beach? party?? LINK

Politico?s Josh Kraushaar: ?Aubertine out in NY 23? LINK

DOMESTIC AFFAIRS:

The Washington Times' Jim McElhatton: ?FBI arrests over 40 in N.J. corruption probe? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Amir Efrati, Suzanne Sataline and Dionne Searcey: ?Jersey Mayors Stung in Graft Probe? LINK

SUPREME COURT NOMINEE SONIA SOTOMAYOR:

USA Today?s Kathy Kiely: ?Sotomayor gains one GOP vote; loses one? LINK

SARAH PALIN

The Washington Post's Jon Cohen and Philip Rucker: “Palin Favorability Rating Dips As She Nears Exit, Poll Finds” LINK

OTHER MUST-READS:

USA Today?s Joan Biskupic: ?Abortion fight is ?enduring divide? LINK

USA Today?s Rick Jervis: ?Report: FEMA mishandled toxins in trailers? LINK

USA Today?s Rick Hampson: ?Roundup nets several N.J. notables? LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEOS

?Obama Stands by 'Stupidity' Comments? LINK

?Reid: No Health Vote in Senate Until After Break? LINK

?Obama on Health Bill Delay: 'Keep Working'? LINK

?Clinton: N.Korea Has 'No Friends Left'? LINK

?'View': Hasselbeck Supports Obama on Gates? LINK

?Pelosi vs. Boehner on Health Care? LINK

The Note’s Must-Reads for Monday, July 20, 2009

The Note’s Must-Reads are a round-up of today’s political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at http://www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News? CARRIE HALPERIN, JAYCE HENDERSON, KRISTEN RED-HORSE, GEORGIA DAWKINS AND VALENCIA WICKER

BOOKMARKS:

The Note: LINK

The Must-Reads Online: LINK

ABC News Politics: LINK

The Political Punch (Jake Tapper): LINK

Radar: LINK

George’s Bottom Line (George Stephanopoulos): LINK

Follow ABC News Correspondents on Twitter: LINK

ABC News Mobile: LINK

ABC News on your iPhone/iPod Touch: LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND HIS ADMINISTRATION:

ABC News Analysis by Gary Langer: ?POLL: Obama Faces Trouble with Stimulus and Deficit? LINK

ABC News? Jake Tapper: ?Inspector General Fired by President Obama Files Lawsuit to Be Reinstated? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Melanie Trottman: ?Nominees Signal More Regulation? LINK

The Washington Post’s Dan Balz and Jon Cohen: “Poll Shows Obama Slipping on Key Issues” LINK

The Hill’s Sam Youngman: ?Biden?s prediction on foreign policy tests rings true? LINK

ECONOMY:

Politico?s Victoria McGrane: ?Washington doesn’t feel the pinch of the recession? LINK

USA Today?s Martin Crutsinger: ?Analysis: Geithner has tough task selling U.S. debt? LINK

USA Today?s William M. Welch: ?California budget talks postponed?LINK

HEALTH CARE:

ABC News? John Hendren: ?’Hail Mary Pass’: Health Care Reform Bill by August? LINK

ABC News? David Chalian: ?Obama Ally Warns of Getting ‘Stuck’ on Health Care? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Greg Hitt and Patrick Yoest: ?Centrists Seek to Slow Health Bill Timetable? LINK

Bloomberg?s Kristin Jensen and Laura Litvan: ?Obama Pushes Senate as Health-Care Focus Turns to Finance Panel? LINK

Boston Herald editorial staff: ?Rethinking card check? LINK

McClatchy Newspapers: ?Congress members get premium plans? LINK

Politico?s Johnathan Martin: ?Obama no longer stressing August deadline for passing health reform bill? LINK

The New York Times’ Kevin Sack and Robert Pear: “Governors Fear Medicaid Costs in Health Plan” LINK

The New York Times’ Robert Pear and Adam Liptak: “Health Bill Might Direct Tax Money to Abortion” LINK

The Washington Post’s Michael Shear and Shailagh Murray: “President Is Set to take the Baton” LINK

The Washington Post’s John Amick: “Democrats Push Back on Unsavory Estimate” LINK

FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

The Los Angeles Times’ Josh Meyer: ?U.S. increasing counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan? LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Greg Miller and Laura King: ?Captors release video of U.S. soldier who went missing in Afghanistan” LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Staff: ?World Briefing” LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Laura King: ?Helicopter crash in Afghanistan kills 16 civilian contractors” LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Tracy Wilkinson and Alex Renderos: ?Honduras crisis mediation at an impasse” LINK

The Washington Times’ Bill Gertz: ?Americans held in Iraq say FBI violated rights” LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Evan Perez and Jonathan Weisman: ?U.S. Expected to Miss Deadline on Detainee Policy? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Siobhan Gorman: ?U.S. Weighs Special Team of Terrorism Interrogators? LINK

The New York Times’ Eric Schmitt: “Pentagon Seeks Prison Overhaul in Afghanistan” LINK

USA Today?s Alan Gomez: ?Taliban video of captive hits home in Idaho? LINK

USA Today?s Roger Yu: ?Foreign airlines raise fuel surcharges; U.S. carriers next?? LINK

USA Today?s Rick Hampson: ?As war?s death toll nears 5,000, dover shows quiet dignity? LINK

ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT:

The Hill’s Jim Snyder: ?Lobbyists lining up for shot at climate bill? LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Jim Tankersley: ?House climate bill was flooded with last-minute changes” LINK

The Washington Times’ Nicholas Kralev: ?India tells Clinton: No carbon cuts” LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Corey Dade: ?New Orleans Wants Ex-Residents Counted? LINK

The Washington Post’s David Fahrenthold: “Chemicals That Eased One Woe Worsen Another” LINK

The Washington Post’s Glenn Kessler: “Clinton, Indian Minister Clash Over Emissions Reduction Pact” LINK

CONGRESS:

The Wall Street Journal?s Jonathan Weisman: ?Democrats’ New Worry: Their Own Rich Voters? LINK

The New York Times’ John Harwood: “For Democrats, an Issue That Goes to the Roots” LINK

SUPREME COURT NOMINEE SONIA SOTOMAYOR:

Bloomberg Commentary by Albert R. Hunt: ?White Men Can?t Trump Sotomayor on Life Story? LINK

USA Today?s Kathy Kiely: ?Sotomayor: Put high court on TV?LINK

USA Today?s Joan Biskupic: ?Many legal issues left out of hearings?LINK

OTHER MUST-READS:

The Hill’s Reid Wilson: ?At turning point, NASA loses an ally? LINK

The Note’s Must-Reads for Thursday, July 16, 2009

The Note’s Must-Reads are a round-up of today’s political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at http://www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News? CARRIE HALPERIN, JAYCE HENDERSON, CLAUDIA MORALES, GEORGIA DAWKINS, VALENCIA WICKER, AND KRISTEN RED-HORSE

BOOKMARKS:

The Note: LINK

The Must-Reads Online: LINK

ABC News Politics: LINK

The Political Punch (Jake Tapper): LINK

Radar: LINK

George’s Bottom Line (George Stephanopoulos): LINK

Follow ABC News Correspondents on Twitter: LINK

ABC News Mobile: LINK

ABC News on your iPhone/iPod Touch: LINK

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA:

The Hill’s Sam Youngman: ?Job worries for Obama at NAACP? LINK

The Washington Post’s Shailagh Murray: “Obama Eyes The Purse Strings for Medicare” LINK

The Washington Post’s Karen DeYoung: “Administration Bridles at Bar on Contractors” LINK

ECONOMY:

The Hill’s Jared Allen: ?Freshman Dems seeking action on the rising deficit? LINK

The Hill’s Walter Alarkon and Kiera McCaffrey: ?Fed officials see higher unemployment? LINK

The Washington Times’ Patrice Hill: ?Paulson takes blame for BofA-Merrill deal? LINK

USA Today?s Paul Davidson: ?Fed: Unemployment will top 10 %, but economy looks stronger? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Bob Davis and Greg Hitt: ?U.S. in Tight Spot on Trade? LINK

Bloomberg?s Mark Drajem: ?Obama ?Going to Bat? for Unions on Labor Rights, Kirk Says? LINK

ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT:

The Los Angeles Times’ David Pierson and Jim Tankersley: ?U.S., China try to reach accord on reducing greenhouse gas emissions? LINK

Politico?s Kathryn McGarr: ?U.S. Chamber of Commerce wants gasoline tax hike? LINK

The New York Times’ Felicity Barringer: “With Push Toward Renewable Energy, California Sets Pace for Solar Power” LINK

SUPREME COURT NOMINEE SONIA SOTOMAYOR:

ABC News? Ariane De Vogue and Theresa Cook: ?Sotomayor Grilled on Abortion, Gun Rights? LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ David G. Savage and James Oliphant: ?Sotomayor is grilled on abortion and gun rights? LINK

Politico?s Josh Gerstein: ?How Sotomayor defended herself? LINK

New York Daily News? James Gordon Meek: ?Al Franken cracks up panel as he grills Sonia Sotomayor at Senate hearings? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Naftali Bendavid: ?Supreme Strategy: Stick to the Script? LINK

Bloomberg?s Greg Stohr and William McQuillen: ?Sotomayor Hits Pro-Business Note as Senate Testimony Nears End? LINK

Bloomberg Commentary by Margaret Carlson: ?Clinton and Sotomayor Endure Man-Made Perils? LINK

The New York Times’ Peter Baker and Charlie Savage: “Post-Sotomayor Nominations Are at Stake in Hearings” LINK

The Washington Post’s Amy Goldstein, Paul Kane and Robert Barnes: “Sotomayor Avoids Pointed Queries” LINK

The Washington Post’s Robert Barnes: “Republicans Unable to Pin Her Down” LINK

INTELLIGENCE:

The Los Angeles Times’ Greg Miller: ?CIA was a long way from Jason Bourne? LINK

Time Magazine?s Bobby Ghosh: ?Should Panetta Have Disclosed the CIA Secret Program?? LINK

The Washington Post’s Joby Warrick: “CIA Assassin Program Was Nearing New Phase” LINK

HEALTH CARE:

ABC News? Jonathan Karl and Z. Byron Wolf: ?Senate Panel Approves a Health Care Bill, But Will it Pass?? LINK

ABC News? Kate Barrett: ?Obama Calls for Swift Action Health Care? LINK

Politico?s Carrie Budoff Brow and Patrick O?Connor: ?Obama plays waiting game on health bill? LINK

Politico?s David Rogers: ?W.H. rolls out Medicare agency plan? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Laura Meckler: ?Democrats Turn Up the Heat on Insurance Industry? LINK

The Washington Post’s Ceci Connolly and Lori Montgomery: “Senate Panel Advances Health-Care Overhaul” LINK

CONGRESS:

The Los Angeles Times’ Noam N. Levey and Peter Nicholas: ?Senate panel approves healthcare overhaul bill? LINK

USA Today?s John Fritze: ?Senate committee passes health care overhaul? LINK

Politico?s Chris Frates: ?Dems threaten insurers with new fees? LINK

FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

The Washington Times’ Sara A. Carter and James Palmer: ?EXCLUSIVE: Taliban uses Afghan fear to fight surge? LINK

SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON:

The New York Times’ Mark Landler: “For Clinton, ’09 Campaign Is for Her Turf” LINK

The Washington Post’s Glenn Kessler: “Clinton: U.S. Urges Multi-Partner World” LINK

OTHER MUST-READS:

USA Today?s Wendy?s Koch: ?Car-share programs turn to more alternative-fuel options? LINK

USA Today?s Haya El Nassar: ?Suburbs get urban makeover? LINK

USA Today?s Ken Dilanian: ?U.S. studies Afghan health successes? LINK

Politico?s John Bresnahan: ?Rangel paid lawyers $928k in last year? LINK

Time Magazine?s Jeffrey Kluger: ?The 40th Anniversary of the Moon Landing? LINK

The Boston Globe’s Foon Rhee: “Kerry keeps after Palin” LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEOS:

?Obama on Heath Reform: No Draconian Measures? LINK

?Franken: In Perry Mason, the Prosecutor Never Won? LINK

?Elusive Sotomayor Dodges Probing Senators? LINK

?Coburn Drills Sotomayor on Right to Self-Defense? LINK

?Clinton: Window to Iran Not Open ‘Indefinitely’? LINK

?Obama Heralds Senate Health Care Bill? LINK

?GOP Sounds Off on ‘Liberal’ Health Bill? LINK

The Note’s Must-Reads for Wednesday, July 15, 2009

The Note’s Must-Reads are a round-up of today’s political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at http://www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News? CARRIE HALPERIN, JAYCE HENDERSON, CLAUDIA MORALES, GEORGIA DAWKINS, VALENCIA WICKER, AND KRISTEN RED-HORSE

BOOKMARKS:

The Note: LINK

The Must-Reads Online: LINK

ABC News Politics: LINK

The Political Punch (Jake Tapper): LINK

Radar: LINK

George’s Bottom Line (George Stephanopoulos): LINK

Follow ABC News Correspondents on Twitter: LINK

ABC News Mobile: LINK

ABC News on your iPhone/iPod Touch: LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND HIS ADMINISTRATION:

Politico?s Carol E. Lee: ?Obama?s first pitch a success? LINK

Politico?s Carol E. Lee: ?Michigan gives President Obama mixed reaction? LINK

The Hill’s Roxana Tiron: “Obama?s veto threat over F-22 divides senior Dems” LINK

Newsweek?s Holly Bailey: ?As Obama heads to the All-Star Game, a Debate over what to wear? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Jonathan Weisman: ?Obama’s Fiats Anger Lawmakers? LINK

Boston Herald Op-Ed by Michael Barone: ?…but not for legislative acumen? LINK

The New York Times? Jim Rutenberg: ?Obama Attacks on Economy and Seeks Billions for Community Colleges? LINK

The Boston Globe?s Foon Rhee: ?Top Pentagon weapons buyer to Congress: Justify not cutting programs? LINK

HEALTH CARE:

ABC News? Jonathan Karl, Avery Miller and Sadie Bass: ?Dems Introduce $1.5 Trillion Health Care Bill to Cover All Americans? LINK

The Hill’s Jeffrey Young and Mike Soraghan: “Healthcare reform advances” LINK

USA Today?s John Fritze: ?House Dems? health bill would tax rich? LINK

USA Today?s Susan Page: ?How much health care for $1 trillion?? LINK

USA Today?s Jack Gillum: ?Death rates in Puerto Rican hospitals higher than in states? LINK

Politico?s Chris Frates: ?Democrats unveil health care reform? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Janet Adamy and Laura Meckler: ?Small Business Faces Big Bite? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Alicia Mundy and Jane Zhang: ?Surgeon General Pick Boosts Primary Care? LINK

The New York Times? Robert Pear and David Herszenhorn: ?House Health Plan Outlines Higher Taxes on Rich? LINK

The Washington Post?s Lori Montgomery and Ceci Connolly: ?Health-Care Plan Would Add Surtax On Wealthy? LINK

ECONOMY:

ABC News? Karen Travers: ?Obama Expects Unemployment Figures to ?Tick Up for Several Months,? Despite Economy Stabilizing? LINK

ABC News? Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller: ?POTUS tells Michigan Things Will Get Tougher As He Introduces New Plan for Community Colleges? LINK

The Hill’s Ian Swanson: “Tax vacancies ?a vacuum?” LINK

USA Today?s Matt Kelley: ?Officials worry stimulus could overwhelm groups? LINK

USA Today?s Mary Beth Marklein: ?Obama plans $12B boost to community colleges? LINK

Bloomberg?s Robert Schmidt: ?Investors Say ?Tarnished? Fed Shouldn?t Oversee Systemic Risk? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Jessica Holzer: ?Republicans Criticize Agency for Consumers? LINK

CONGRESS:

The Los Angeles Times’ Richard Simon: “California could lose a House seat after 2010 census” LINK

Politico?s Vitoria McGrane and Manu Raju: ?Legal hurdles could still loom in John Ensign scandal? LINK

Politico?s Alex Isenstadt ?Cantorspeak? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Jake Sherman: ?Taxes Sought to Fix Aged Infrastructure? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Jessica Holzer: ?Republicans Criticize Agency for Consumers? LINK

The Washington Post?s Peter Whoriskey: ?Aid for Auto Dealers Gains Traction on Hill? LINK

SUPREME COURT NOMINEE SOTOMAYOR/SUPREME COURT:

ABC News? Ariane de Vogue and Theresa Cook: ?Supreme Court Nominee Sotomayor a ?Bully on the Bench??? LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ David G. Savage and James Oliphant: “Sotomayor answers her Senate critics in hearing” LINK

USA Today?s Kathy Kiely and Joan Biskupic: ?Sotomayor defends her legal record? LINK

USA Today?s Joan Biskupic and Kathy Kiely: ?Sotomayor fields Senate panel?s volleys? LINK

Newsweek?s Howard Fineman: ?Sotomayor masterfully saps tension from hearings? LINK

Politico?s Roger Simon: ?No diversity with Sonia Sotomayor? LINK

Boston Herald Op-Ed by Jonah Goldberg: ?Jury can?t be out on eugenics? LINK

New York Daily News? James Gordon Meek: ?Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor defends ‘wise Latina’ comment during Senate hearings? LINK

Time Magazine?s jay Newton-Small: ?Sotomayor Keeps Her Cool on the Senate Hot Seat? LINK

The New York Times? Peter Baker and Neil Lewis: ?Nominee Says Identity Wouldn?t Distort Decisions? LINK

The New York Times? Sheryl Gay Stolberg: ?Sotomayor Leaves Passion Behind in Her Testimony? LINK

The Washington Post?s Amy Goldstein, Robert Barnes and Paul Kane: ?Sotomayor Emphasizes Objectivity? LINK

The Washington Post?s Ann Gerhart: ?Warming the Room With a Confident Touch? LINK

FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

The Washington Times’ Barbara Slavin: “EXCLUSIVE: U.S. held Iranians as ‘hostages'” LINK

USA Today?s Christina Holder: ?Americans lend a hand to new Liberia? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Peter Spiegel: ?Obama Puts Arms Control at Core of New Strategy? LINK

ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT:

The Washington Times’ Kara Rowland: “EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Perlmutter has interest in ‘green’ bank” LINK

OTHER MUST-READS:

Politico?s John Bresnahan: ?Don Young?s sizable legal bills stack up? LINK

New York Daily News? Frank Lombardi and Greg B. Smith: ?Council’s slush fund probe claims its first culprit: Manhattan’s Miguel Martinez to plead guilty? LINK

The New York Times? Jon Hurdle: ?Ex-State Senator in Pennsylvania Is Sentenced for Fraud? LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEOS:

?Obama’s All-Star Pitch? LINK

?Sotomayor: Wise Latina Woman Joke ‘Fell Flat’? LINK

?House Dems Announce Health Care Bill Draft? LINK

?Sen. Jokes About His Ability to ‘Turn People On’? LINK

The Note’s Must-Reads for Tuesday, July 14, 2009

The Note’s Must-Reads are a round-up of today’s political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at http://www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News? CARRIE HALPERIN, JAYCE HENDERSON CLAUDIA MORALES, KRISTEN RED-HORSE, GEORGIA DAWKINS AND VALENCIA WICKER

BOOKMARKS:

The Note: LINK

The Must-Reads Online: LINK

ABC News Politics: LINK

The Political Punch (Jake Tapper): LINK

Radar: LINK

George’s Bottom Line (George Stephanopoulos): LINK

Follow ABC News Correspondents on Twitter: LINK

ABC News Mobile: LINK

ABC News on your iPhone/iPod Touch: LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND DOMESTIC AFFAIRS:

ABC News? Jake Tapper, Karen Travers and Sunlen Miller: ?Obama Names Alabama Family Doctor as New Surgeon General? LINK

The Hill’s Sam Youngman and Jeffrey Young: ?Obama’s health reform: ?Don?t bet against us?? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s John D. Mckinnon: ?$1 Trillion Deficit Complicates Obama’s Agenda? LINK

New York Daily News; Michael Mcauliff: ?President Obama chooses Alabama family physician Dr. Regina Benjamin as surgeon general? LINK

Politico?s Zacahary Abrahamson: ?White House revamps relationships with cities? LINK

The New York Times? Michael J. de la Merced and Danny Hakim: ?Obama?s Chief Auto Adviser Steps Down? LINK

The New York Times? Gardiner Harris: ?Administration Seeks to Restrict Antibiotics in Livestock? LINK

The Washington Post?s Jeffrey Smith: ?Obama Vows a Veto In Dispute Over F-22s? LINK

The Washington Post?s Obama Names Surgeon General: ?Obama Names Surgeon General? LINK

The New York Times? Gardiner Harris: ?Administration Seeks to Restrict Antibiotics in Livestock?

The Note’s Must-Reads for Monday, July 13, 2009

The Note’s Must-Reads are a round-up of today’s political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at http://www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News? KRISTEN RED-HORSE, JAYCE HENDERSON, CLAUDIA MORALES, VALENCIA WICKER and GEORGIA DAWKINS

BOOKMARKS:

The Note: LINK

The Must-Reads Online: LINK

Top Line Webcast (12noon EST M-F): LINK

ABC News Politics: LINK

The Political Punch (Jake Tapper): LINK

George’s Bottom Line (George Stephanopoulos): LINK

Clem’s Chronicle: LINK

Follow ABC News on Twitter: LINK

ABC News Mobile: LINK

ABC News on your iPhone/iPod Touch: LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND DOMESTIC AFFAIRS:

The New York Times? Scott Shane: ?Obama Faces a New Push to Look Back? LINK

The Washington Post?s Carrie Johnson and Joby Warrick: ?Bush Anti-Terror Policies Get Reluctant Revisit? LINK

Newsweek?s Daniel Klaidman: ?Independent?s Day: Obama doesn?t want to look back, but Attorney General may probe bush-era torture anyway? LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

The Wall Street Journal?s Jonathan Weisman: ?Obama’s Foreign Strategy Mixes Encouragement, Demands? LINK

ABC News? Karen Travers: ?G-8?s Broken Promises to Africa? LINK

Time Magazine?s Michael Scherer: ?The Five Pillars of Obama’s Foreign Policy? LINK

Newsweek?s Aku Ammah-Tagoe: ?In Ghana, Obama is ?President of the World?? LINK

USA Today?s Richard Wolf: ?Obama meets pope, says U.N., G-8 must tackle problems faster? LINK

Newsweek?s Holly Bailey: ?Why Obama chose Ghana? LINK

Newsweek?s Holly Bailey: ?Obama delivers Letter from Senator Kennedy to Pope? LINK

USA Today?s Aamer Madhani: ?Bomb explodes near U.S. ambassador?s convoy in Iraq? LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND THE UNITED STATES’ ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE:

The Wall Street Journal?s Matthew Benjamin and Alison Fitzgerald: ?Obama?s Stimulus Money Starts to Flow as Jobless Await Results? LINK

GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN:

The New York Times? Jim Rutenberg and Serge F. Kovaleski: ?Palin?s Route to Resignation: Missteps and Ignored Advice? LINK

ABC News? Rachel Martin: ?Palin Says She?ll Stump for Conservative Democrats? LINK

The Los Angeles Times? Mark Z. Barabak: ?Republican pundits open fire on Sarah Palin? LINK

THE SUPREME Court AND SOTOMAYOR:

The New York Times? Ron Nixon: ?G.O.P. Senators Are Set To Question Judge?s Impartialiality? LINK

The Washington Post?s Michael D. Shear: ?Hearings Not Just About Sotomayor? LINK

Politico?s Glen Thrush: ?Obama chats with Sonia?about Stare Decisis? LINK

Politico?s Manu Raju: ?Sonia Sotomayor battle may jolt Republicans? LINK

ABC News? Viviana Hurtado: ?Latinos Will Be on Lookout for Sotomayor Abuse? LINK

The Washington Times? Kara Rowland: ?Sotomayor faces easy route to confirmation? LINK

New York Daily News? Elizabeth Hays: ?NAACP supports Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor: Warns Senate foes to focus on qualifications? LINK

USA Today?s Joan Biskupic: ?With Sotomayor enters a new era in judicial politics?LINK

Newsweek?s Evan Thomas, Stuart Taylor Jr. and Brian NoLINK

Newsweek?s Mark Hosenball: ?The end of the Rainbow: Will Obama scrap Bush?s color-coded terror alerts?? LINK

DEMOCRATS/G.O.P.:

New York Daily News? Helen Kennedy: ?Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin plans to hit campaign trail after leaving office? LINK

The Hill?s Molly K. Hooper: ?GOP, Holder battle over New Black Panthers? LINK

The Washington Times? Jon Ward and Jennifer Haberkorn: ?’Ration’ is GOP’s weapon in health care war? LINK

The Washington Times? Ben Conery: ?Republicans hit pursuit of torture probe? LINK

The Washington Post?s Nick Anderson: ?GOP Leaving No Child Behind? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Jess Bravin: ?Parties Set to Paint Opposing Pictures of Nominee? LINK

Boston Herald Op-Ed by Jeff Sessions: ?We can?t be blind to bias? LINK

Boston Herald Op-Ed by Bonnie Erbe: ?More than justice hangs in balance? LINK

Politico?s Jonathan Martin: ?Cantor wants focus on ?ideas? not ?personalities?? LINK

CONGRESS:

Politico?s Alex Isenstadt: ?Kent Conrad: the Senate Grinch who stole Christmas?? LINK

CIA/NSA:

The Wall Street Journal?s Siobhan Gorman: ?CIA Had Secret Al Qaeda Plan? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Siobhan Gorman: ?Report Cites Weaknesses in Wiretapping Program? LINK

The Wall Street Journal?s Cary O?Reilly: ?Senate Democrats Say Cheney May Have Broken Law on CIA Program? LINK

Politico?s Alex Isenstadt: ?More Democrats call for investigating the CIA? LINK

ABC News? John Hendren and Jonathan Karl: ?Former Agents Say Stop Picking on the CIA? LINK

The Los Angeles Times? Julian E. Barnes: ?Clamor grows over CIA secrets? LINK

The Washington Times? Kara Rowland: ?Senators say CIA program secrecy wrong? LINK

Politico?s Harry Siegel: ?McCain says ?no? to potential DOJ torture probe? LINK

HEALTH CARE REFORM:

The Wall Street Journal?s Kate Linebaugh: ?Slump Spreads to Health Care as Michigan Loses Auto Jobs? LINK

Politico?s Carrie Budoff Brown: ?Health care deadline unlikely to be me met? LINK

The Los Angeles Times? Noam N. Levey: ?Concern grows that healthcare overhaul won’t cut costs? LINK

Los Angeles Times Opinion: ?Improve care, lower costs? LINK

Los Angeles Times Opinion: ?Our great hidden healthcare system? LINK

USA Today?s Charisse Jones: ?Doctors express hopes to franchise urgent care in U.S.? LINK

USA Today?s Mimi Hall: ?Obama begins health care push? LINK

ENVIRONMENT:

The Wall Street Journal?s Stephen Power: ?Climate Bill Splits Industry Coalition? LINK

OTHER MUST-READS:

The Wall Street Journal?s Miriam Jordan: ?New Curbs Set on Arrests of Illegal Immigrants? LINK

ABC News? Scott Mayerowitz: ?Will Ghosts of Bush Administration Derail Obama?s Agenda?? LINK

The Los Angeles Times? Teresa Watanabe: ?Activists push ballot initiative to end state benefits for illegal immigrants and their U.S.-born children? LINK

Los Angeles Times Opinion: ?A bipartisan blueprint for immigration reform? LINK

The Washington Times? Christina Bellantoni: ?Obama enters fray in governors’ races? LINK

USA Today?s Kevin Johnson: ?Officer deaths up in first half of ?09? LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEOS:

?Burris Won’t Seek Re-election to Senate? LINK

?Obama Meets Pope at the Vatican? LINK

?G-8’s Broken Promises to Africa? LINK

?Signs of Stimulus Wasting? LINK

?Inside Sotomayor’s Family Heritage? LINK

?The Bottom Line on Stimulus Spending? LINK

The Note’s Must-Reads for Thursday, July 9, 2009

The Note's Must-Reads are a round-up of today's political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at http://www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News’ CARRIE HALPERIN, CLAUDIA MORALES, PETER MARTINEZ, GEORGIA DAWKINS and VALENCIA WICKER

BOOKMARKS:

The Note: LINK

The Must-Reads Online: LINK

ABC News Politics: LINK

The Political Punch (Jake Tapper): LINK

Radar: LINK

George's Bottom Line (George Stephanopoulos): LINK

Follow ABC News Correspondents on Twitter: LINK

ABC News Mobile: LINK

ABC News on your iPhone/iPod Touch: LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND HIS ADMINISTRATION:

ABC News’ Rick Klein: “Obama Administration Grant Program De-Emphasizing Job Creation” LINK

The Washington Post's Spencer S. Hsu: “Obama Revives Bush Idea to Catch Illegal Workers” LINK

The New York Times' Gardiner Harris: “Pick to Lead Health Agency Draws Praise and Some Concern” LINK

Newsweek’s Daniel Stone: “Obama makes Early, Unflattering Appearance on Mount Rushmore” LINK

USA Today’s Brad Heath: “Billions in aid go to areas that backed Obama in ‘08” LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

Newsweek’s Holly Bailey: “Did Obama’s Sit Down with Putin change anything?” LINK

USA Today’s Richard Wolf: “Obama tours Italy town hit by quake” LINK

USA Today’s David Jackson: “Obama asks Russians to forge partnership with U.S.” LINK

Politico’s Staff: “W.H. release: Addressing the nuclear threat” LINK

G-8:

ABC News’ Jake Tapper and Karen Travers: “G-8 Will Not Call for New Sanctions Against Iran” LINK

Politico’s Josh Gerstein: “Despite President Obama, G-8 drags feet on Iran” LINK

Newsweek’s Holly Bailey: “G-8 on guard for Aftershocks, Literally” LINK

ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT:

The Hill's Jared Allen: “Rep. Waxman giving Senate room to work on climate change bill” LINK

The Hill's Sam Youngman: “Climate-change deal reached at G8” LINK

The Wall Street Journals' Johnathan Weisman: “G-8 Climate-Change Agreement Falls Short” LINK

The New York Times' Peter Baker: “Poorer Nations Reject a Target on Emission Cut” LINK

Newsweek’s Holly Bailey: “In Italy for the G-8, Obama turns to Climate Change” LINK

The Washington Post's Craig Whitlock and Michael A. Fletcher: “Group of 8 Agrees On a Ceiling for Temperature Rise” LINK

USA Today’s Richard Wolf: “Conflicting goals clog deal on climate” LINK

CONGRESS:

Politico’s Carrie Budoff Brown & Patrick O’Connor: Reid move opens $320B health plan hole” LINK

The Hill's Aaron Blake: “GOP’s hopes for ’10 lifted by economy” LINK

The Hill's Jeffrey Young: “Republicans soothed by Reid” LINK

The Wall Street Journals' Siobhan Gorman: “Democrats Say Panetta Admits CIA Misled Them” LINK

The Washington Post's Perry Bacon Jr. and Paul Kane: “Senate Democrats Still Seeking GOP Support” LINK

USA Today’s Anne Flaherty: “Democrats skeptical of consumer protection agency” LINK

Politico’s John Bresnahan & Glenn Thrush: “Tom Coburn knew of John Ensign’s affair” LINK

Politico’s Alex Isenstadt: “Letter by six House Dems claims Panetta admits the CIA misled congress” LINK

Politico’s Anne Schroeder Mullins: “Rep. Steve King, the only nay vote” LINK

ABC News’ Mary Bruce: “Congress Urged to Take Action Against Bullying in Schools” LINK

ECONOMY:

Bloomberg's Staff: “China Car Sales Jump 48% on Support, Most Since 2006” LINK

The Wall Street Journals' Staff: “White House Ponders Bernanke's Future” LINK

The Washington Post's David Cho and Binyamin Appelbaum: “Treasury Dials Back Plan to Aid Banks” LINK

USA Today’s Kathy Chu: “Banks’ ‘courtesy’ loans at soaring rates irk consumers” LINK

USA Today’s David J. Lynch: “IMF sees beginning of sluggish global economic recovery” LINK

USA Today’s Wendy’s Koch: “Homelessness in suburbs, rural areas increases” LINK

The New York Times' Michael Cooper and Griff Palmer: “Cities Lose Out on Road Funds From Federal Stimulus” LINK

HEALTH CARE:

ABC News’ Jake Tapper: “Moveon Pulls the ‘Trigger’ on Rahm” LINK

Time Magazine’s Barbara Kiviat: “After California: Which States Are in the Most Peril?” LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Noam N. Levey: “Baucus and Grassley team up on bipartisan healthcare compromises” LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Thomas H. Maugh II: “Genome project leader is selected to head NIH” LINK

USA Today’s Nanci Hellmich: “Study: Hospitalizations related to childhood obesity nearly double” LINK

The Washington Post's Ceci Connolly and Michael D. Shear: “Discord on Health Care Dulls Luster Of New Pacts” LINK

USA Today’s Mimi Hall: “Biden announces White House deal with hospitals” LINK

Time Magazine’s Karen Tumulty: “Could Abortion Coverage Sink Health-Care Reform?” LINK

FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

The Washington Times' Ashish Kumar Sen: “Beijing threatens to execute 'key rioters'” LINK

The Washington Post's Ellen Nakashima, Brian Krebs and Blaine Harden: “U.S., South Korea Targeted in Swarm Of Internet Attacks” LINK

USA Today’s Francis Kokutse: “Mood in Ghana: ‘We are a lucky country’ LINK

USA today’s Aoife White: “EU puts drugmakers on notice over medicine patents” LINK

USA Today’s Kevin McCoy: “Switzerland tells UBS not to give USA any information” LINK

USA Today’s Tom Vanden Brook: “Roadside bomb attacks in Afghanistan shatter record” LINK

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA:

The Washington Post's Robin Givhan: “As 'Spouse,' First Lady Does Mostly as the Romans Do” LINK

SUPREME COURT NOMINEE SONIA SOTOMAYOR:

The Washington Post's Jerry Markon: “Uncommon Detail Marks Rulings by Sotomayor” LINK

The New York Times' Charlie Savage: “From Sotomayor Rulings, a Wealth of Data” LINK

OTHER MUST-READS:

ABC News’ Devin Dwyer: “Water Wars: Is Bottled Water Better Than Tap?” LINK

The Washington Post's Paul Kane: “House Intelligence Chairman Reyes Says CIA Lied to Committee” LINK

Newsweek’s Katie Connolly: “Palin’s Resignation: Will Holding office Matter in 2012” LINK

New York Daily News’ Michael Sheridan: “Sarah Palin still popular, says poll, despite quitting as Alaska Governor” LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEOS:

“George on Health Care Reform Negotiations” LINK

“Tapper on G-8's Lack of Progress” LINK

“Reforming Health Care and Energy” LINK

“G-8 Day One: Obama Arrives in Italy” LINK