Barack Obama, as he introduces himself to the broader voting public, is emphasizing centrist -- even conservative -- positions on hot-button issues. A handgun ban. The death penalty. U.S. wiretaps. Iran and Israel. Trade.

The latest national polling in the presidential race is nothing if not consistent -- most of the recent ones, including an ABC News/Washington Post survey released today, show Barack Obama with a four- percentage-point lead over John McCain among registered voters.

Pew - A narrow majority of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters (53%) say they would like to see Barack Obama pick Hillary Clinton as his running mate. Clinton supporters are increasingly supportive of the prospect: 76% favor an Obama-Clinton ticket, up from 69% in March. By contrast, just 37% of Obama backers say they would like to see him pick Clinton as his running mate, down from 49% in March.

Remember, the deadline for June fundraising is midnight local time. Help the campaign build our 50 State strategy and bring change to Washington. Every donation counts!

AFP - Senator Barack Obama on Monday vowed to dispel smears over his "deep and abiding" love for America, but was locked in a fierce new row over Republican White House foe John McCain's military heroism.

On Friday, campaign manager David Plouffe took time out of his hectic schedule to record a short video on a laptop in his office, outlining the basics of our general election strategy and the challenges that lie ahead. From the beginning, this has been your campaign as much as ours, and we wanted to make sure that all of you had a chance to see it:

It's been less than four weeks since Barack became the presumptive Democratic nominee, and we've already made huge strides towards the general election: staff and offices in 21 states, 134 campaign offices open across the country and nearly 1,000 field staff on the ground, supported by more than 3,500 Organizing Fellows.

And we're growing every day.

But as Plouffe explained, "We start with unprecedented grassroots support . . . but we can't rest on our laurels."

Right around the corner, we're going to see millions of dollars attacking Barack, attacking Michelle Obama, and we have to have the ability to fight back.

... You've done so much already, but we're going to ask you to do even more in the coming weeks so that we can get Barack Obama's positive message out there, build the kind of campaign that we need to nationally, but also respond to these Republican attacks.

The June fundraising deadline is tonight at midnight. By making a contribution before the tonight's deadline, you'll be investing in the growth of this unprecedented movement at a time when the resources are needed the most.

We know the road ahead will not be easy, but we also know that we won't be traveling it alone.

The deadline for donating to the campaign during this crucial June financial reporting period is today! (Don't forget to give before midnight!) Individuals from every state are sharing their hard-earned money to fuel this movement for change. Check out some of their reasons for supporting Barack and contributing to his campaign:

Jack from Orlando, FL spends his days working to ensure that parking lots, buildings, and other facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Jack contributed $25 to the campaign today.

Everyone knows that we need change, but someone's finally accepting responsibility for that change in a way that we haven't seen in a long time. I appreciate Obama's fresh tone and his hard stance on the war, which he took at a time when it wasn't the popular thing to do. He's smart, he's got an awesome family, and he's got a great wife!

Valeria from Morrow, GA is a hair care specialist. She contributed $25 today.

I have the most hope in what he will do more than any other candidates. I think he is a part of doing something different in the United States. He inspires me.

Brian from Flagstaff, AZ is a teacher's aide during the day and a part-time musician and songwriter. He gave $25 today.

I'm from Arizona and I've heard McCain's name for years. But he's part of the same old political machine, everything Barack's talking about changing. I think Barack is absolutely the best thing that's come in decades.

A stay-at-home mom from Evergreen, CO, Marcia was moved to donate to Barack's movement even though she has never given money to a political campaign before. Having two young sons, Marcia says the ongoing war is the issue that concerns her the most. Barack's strong opposition to the war was key to Marcia's decision to contribute to the campaign. She also believes Barack is best suited to bring about solutions to the struggling economy and rising gas prices.

I have 11 and 13 year old boys and live in a rural community where I have to drive them wherever they need to go. Luckily I'm in a situation where I can stay home, but with the economy and gas prices where they are right now, it's difficult.

Click here to donate for the June financial reporting period and share your reasons for supporting Barack in the comments section below.

When talking head Bob Schieffer asserted that, unlike McCain, Obama hadn't flown in a fighter plane and gotten shot down, Clark reasonably noted that this is not a qualification for being president.

Even as Democrat Barack Obama reportedly disowns criticisms leveled against rival John McCain's military service by a retired general, Republicans have begun picking up on similar comments made by an informal adviser to the Illinois senator's campaign.

When the primary season began I was asked often -- being the old guy of the neighborhood tavern -- my thoughts about the then line-up; and thought it might be fun to re-post it on the Vine from my other site with an update observation about the tone and tenor of the current state …