2 GOP Sources: It’s Romney

The Land of Lincolner sits down with CBS’ Harry Smith Thursday in Chester, Virginia Thursday to talk about how he came to decide on his veep, what went into his choice and more.

Interview to air Friday on “The Early Show”

Developing...

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McCain campaign fires back at Obama for “house” attack with new TV ad targeting Obama and Tony Rezko.

“From Obama, Rezko got ‘political favors’ including ‘14 million from taxpayers.’ Now, he’s a convicted felon, facing jail. That’s a housing problem.” Read full script.

Watch one of his toughest spots yet above.

Actual size and duration of the ad buy TBD.

McCain official to the Atlantic: Obama “opened the door to this.” Obama’s comments “attack Cindy. She owns the homes. I thought he said the wives were off-limits.”

Plus: See Obama’s own housing ad: click here. Permalink

The Land of Lincolner tells USA Today he’s made up his mind on a veep choice — but he’s still not spilling the beans.

Says he’s chosen someone “to challenge me so we have got a robust debate in the White House.” Listen to the audio here.

Plus: He also teases the press at a deli in Petersberg, Virginia when asked about the timing of his announcement text message, saying “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

More: At a stop at Virginia Favorites Ltd., Obama confirms: “I did say that I’ve made the selection and that’s all you’re going get.”

Scheduling conflicts suggest it’s not the former Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn. Permalink

New independent group American Issues Project produces an ad tying Obama to the former Weather Underground bomber, hints he had something to do with failed 9/11 attacks on the Capitol. Watch it above.

The group says it will spend $2.8 mil on the ad in Ohio, Michigan — which would be the largest single third-party expenditure this cycle.

Obama camp responds here.

Update: Organizers sought to air the ad on Fox News Channel, but a Fox spokesman said the network declined to run it. Permalink

Non-members of the political class, listen up: EVERYONE in the political class is talking about the possibility of Obama shocking the world and picking Hillary Clinton as his running mate.

To get the inside scoop on what this speculation is based on, click here. Permalink

Prominent Obama surrogates in 16 states hammering McCain for not knowing how many homes he has.

See the full list of events here.

Earlier: In a Chester, Virginia, town hall with Gov. Kaine, Obama slams McCain on the issue. Watch video here.

“If you don’t know how many houses you have, then it’s not surprising that you might think the economy is fundamentally strong!”

PLUS: Obama releases ad on McCain’s houses. Watch it here and read script here.

More: Politico analysis finds McCain’s family owns at least eight properties. Permalink

Obama: Chicago, IL (no public events)

McCain: Sedona, AZ (no public events) Permalink

CBS, NBC led with presidential politics.

ABC: Led with Secretary Rice in Baghdad and a tentative timetable for troop withdrawal. Next, report on housing fracas said McCain has nine homes on seven properties, listing them and showing photos. Said this is “not what McCain wants to be talking about,” and the Obama campaign hope it’s “highly exploitable” like Kerry’s 2004 comment about troop funding. Stephanopoulos said the Obama team sees it as a seminal moment, while the McCain camp denies anyone considers McCain an elitist. Stephanopoulos also said the Obama team wants to wait until Saturday for its VP announcement, and said signals indicate it will be someone with clear national security experience, such as Biden or Bayh, or even Clinton or Gore. Finally, brief mention of the evacuation of McCain’s Colorado campaign office.

CBS: Led with news that Obama has made his veep decision, combined with coverage of McCain houses and subsequent battle. In a preview of an Obama interview with Harry Smith, Obama said his veep choice would be someone he would “feel comfortable with.” Reported that McCain has “at least seven” homes “from coast to coast” and played clips from Obama and McCain Thursday ads, concluding that “the gloves are off” in the race. Briefly mentioned threatening letter sent to McCain office in Colorado.

NBC: Led with Obama saying he made his veep choice. Said McCain’s “houses” remark was “the biggest political story of the day” and there’s “indications” voters will hear more about it. Called McCain’s answer to Politico “surprising,” said for Obama it was “too good to resist” and campaign predicts working class families will have a tough time understanding it. Covered McCain response. Said “who is the more out of touch game” was a favorite of Clinton’s, noted her campaigning for Obama in Florida. Cited NBC/WSJ poll saying she’s having trouble selling Obama to some of her supporters. Mentioned McCain office evacuation. Permalink

The presidential candidates will discuss their views on service and civic engagement in a post-9/11 world during prime-time in New York City Sept. 11.

They will appear separately on the stage, fielding questions from TIME Managing Editor Rick Stengel. It will be their first joint appearance following the party conventions.

Forum audience will include 9/11 family members, young Americans, military veterans, and thought leaders with questions being submitted by the general public.

Read the release with all the details here. Permalink

In the new issue of TIME, Mark Halperin traces Obama’s path from 2004 convention keynoter to 2008 Democratic presidential nominee.

Read the magazine version here.

Read the director’s cut version here. Permalink

Biden is hanging out at home in Delaware with his wife, son and niece, Sebelius is in Iowa to stump for Obama, while Pawlenty spends the evening with young Republicans near the convention site.

The AP is tracking them all here.

Plus: Sebelius says while in Iowa being mentioned as a potential running mate is something of “an out-of-body experience.”

And: The latest on the NBC stakeout of Biden’s place. Permalink

GOP’s main convention stage above.

And the Dems’ above here. Permalink