POLL REPORT: While John McCain campaigned in New Mexico and Barack Obama was in Virginia, two polls showed the presidential race remains close. A CBS News-New York Times poll found that about half of Obama’s supporters are enthusiastic about their candidate, compared with a fourth of McCain’s. Meanwhile, an NBC-Wall Street Journal poll found that 3 in 10 respondents said McCain is running a negative campaign; 1 in 20 said the same about Obama.
FUNDING REPORT: Presidential contender John McCain spent $32 million in July, with nearly $2 of every $3 devoted to advertising, according to financial reports filed Wednesday. McCain, in documents submitted to the Federal Election Commission, reported raising more than $26 million in the month. Barack Obama had not yet submitted his filing, but the campaign announced last weekend he had raised more than $51 million in July.
ON 9/11, ADS OUT: Barack Obama and John McCain plan to pull ads on Sept. 11 that criticize each other, a respite from the political fray to honor the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks. The campaigns made their decision known Tuesday, the same day that the group MyGoodDeed.org, which backs community service on Sept. 11, called on the candidates to refrain from partisan campaigning.
STAYING AT HOME: Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick’s legal issues will force Gov. Jennifer Granholm to miss some of the Democratic National Convention. A Granholm spokeswoman said Wednesday that the governor will remain in Michigan to weigh final motions from Kilpatrick and the Detroit City Council lawyers.
IN THE WEB EDITION: For all the latest news from the campaign trail, check in daily with The Swamp, the Tribune’s political blog, at chicagotribune.com/theswamp
