Election 2008 Roundup

• The Register-Herald of Beckley hears from Barack Obama supporters on such issues as guns, coal, military and foreign policy and southern voters as they tout his chances in West Virginia.

• State Democratic Party Chairman Nick Casey tells The Charleston Gazette that either Obama or running mate Joe Biden could headline the party's annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner this fall. (Gov. Joe Manchin had earlier told The Associated Press that he had signed up Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine for the gig -- but back when Kaine considered himself on Obama's veep short list.)

• The Charleston Daily Mail reports that Republican Dan Greear took repeated aim at his Democratic opponent, Attorney General Darrell McGraw, during the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce's ongoing annual Business Summit.

• Gov. Joe Manchin has incurred the wrath of the West Virginia State Firemen's Association for failing to attend its recent Charleston convention, "held just a week after the governor traveled to Las Vegas for a national firefighters' function," the Daily Mail also reports.

• Poised to begin accepting public campaign funding next month, presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain came close to outraising Obama among West Virginians in July, AP reports. McCain attracted about $51,800 and Obama around $53,300 from Mountain State residents that month, bringing their in-state totals to $172,700 and $302,500, respectively.