Today on the presidential campaign trail

By The Associated Press

Jul. 10, 2008 (AP Online delivered by Newstex) -- IN THE HEADLINES

Obama fuels speculation on running mate search with unannounced stop, flight with Clinton ... On Viagra and birth control, McCain's "Straight Talk Express" veers to the shoulder ... Obama -- momentarily -- forgets to urge donors to help Clinton retire campaign debt

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Obama stokes veep speculation

NEW YORK (AP) -- Barack Obama stoked vice presidential speculation Wednesday with an unannounced stop at the Washington law firm of a search team member and then a flight to New York fundraisers with potential pick Hillary Rodham Clinton and a second vetter.

"I'm not going to tell you" any details, the smiling likely Democratic nominee told reporters after spending more than two hours inside a downtown Washington office building where attorney Eric Holder, a member of his vice presidential search committee, has offices.

Obama wouldn't say why he visited the building or whom he saw there, and the two top aides at his side -- campaign manager David Plouffe and chief strategist David Axelrod -- also stayed mum.

The midmorning stop was one of at least two that weren't on his public schedule, and aides would say only that Obama had private meetings planned while in Washington. They wouldn't provide additional details, including whether Obama had met with Holder, a partner at Covington and Burling. The firm is located just blocks from the White House that Obama hopes to occupy come January.

Later, Obama was appearing with Clinton, his rival-turned ally who is mentioned as a possible running mate, at two fundraisers spanning two days. Vice presidential searcher Caroline Kennedy accompanied the two on the flight from Washington.

Aides were tightlipped about why the trio traveled together other than to cite the fundraisers.

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McCain dodges question on Viagra, contraceptives

PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (AP) -- Republican John McCain prides himself on being a straight talker. But he resisted being dragged into a discussion Wednesday about insurance companies that cover Viagra but not birth control products.

"I certainly do not want to discuss that issue," the presidential candidate said when a reporter asked him about it on his campaign bus, the "Straight Talk Express."

A few seats away was Carly Fiorina, a top McCain supporter who stirred talk about the topic at a recent Washington breakfast with reporters. The former Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HPQ) chief executive, discussing consumer-driven health insurance, mentioned something "I've been hearing a lot about from women: There are many health insurance plans that will cover Viagra but won't cover birth-control medication. Those women would like a choice."

Fiorina is among McCain's most prominent female advisers, and seen by some as a possible choice to be his running mate.

When asked Wednesday if he had voted in the Senate against a proposal to require insurance companies to cover contraceptive products, McCain replied, "I don't know enough about it to give you an informed answer because I don't recall the vote... I don't usually duck an issue, but I'll try to get back to you."

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Obama briefly forgets to urge help for Clinton

NEW YORK (AP) -- It was all part of a careful arrangement: Democrat Barack Obama would get fundraising help from his erstwhile rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton, in exchange for his help retiring about $10 million of her campaign debt.

But Obama momentarily forgot his part of the deal at a major New York fundraiser Wednesday night, forcing him to retake the stage after he had concluded the event and said goodnight to the audience.

The Illinois senator spoke to about 1,000 donors in a Manhattan ballroom, all of whom had paid at least $1,000 to attend. Many were Clinton supporters until she dropped out of the race last month.

Obama praised the former first lady as tough and smart. "She wore me out," he said to laughs.

The Democratic nominee-in-waiting then wrapped up his speech and thanked the audience, moving to shake hands along a rope line.

After a minute or so, the music was cut short and Obama returned to the stage.

"This is not the speech part, but it is important," he said sheepishly, urging the group to reassemble.

"Senator Clinton still has some debt, and I could have had some debt if I hadn't won. So I know the drill," Obama said, encouraging donors to use the forms under their seats to make a contribution to help her.

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THE DEMOCRATS

Barack Obama attends a breakfast fundraiser for women with Hillary Rodham Clinton in New York. He then discusses the economy with voters in Fairfax, Va.

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THE REPUBLICANS

John McCain meets with workers and undecided voters in Belleville, Mich.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"Americans have got to understand that we are paying present-day retirees with the taxes paid by young workers in America today. And that's a disgrace. It's an absolute disgrace, and it's got to be fixed." -- Republican John McCain.

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STAT OF THE DAY:

A recent AP-Yahoo News poll shows that 15 percent of the electorate -- people who call themselves moderates and aren't solidly supporting a candidate -- make up the persuadable middle.

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Compiled by Ann Sanner and Hope Yen.

Newstex ID: AP-0001-26558750