Today on the presidential campaign trail

Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill, talks about economy during a conference call with supporters gathering at an event in Charlotte, N.C., in St. Louis, Mo., Monday, July 7, 2008, after Obama's campaign plane made an unscheduled stop in St. Louis to deal with a mechanical, flight control problem and prevented his appearance at the event. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

IN THE HEADLINES

McCain, Obama offer plans for Hispanic voters to achieve prosperity ... Obama proposes changing bankruptcy laws to help military, others ... Obama denies he's revising liberal views to woo centrist voters ... Democrats seek voter input for party platform ... Pet owners find McCain more appealing than the petless Obama

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McCain, Obama pitch economic plans to Hispanics

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama pitched competing economic plans to Hispanics on Tuesday, the second time in as many weeks the presidential candidates directly appealed to this critical constituency.

The rivals were pressing anew their support for comprehensive immigration reform in separate speeches to the League of United Latin American Citizens.

But each was primarily focused on making his case that he -- and not his opponent -- could best lead the country out of economic straits and help the middle class achieve prosperity.

It's a poignant message for the audience, an organization that advocates social and economic policies benefiting Hispanics. The economy, health care, education and providing opportunities to reach what politicians call the American dream are issues that resonate strongly with members of the fastest-growing minority group, many of whom came to the United States in search of a better life.

So, both candidates sought to show they best relate to -- and can help -- voters struggling with gas prices, job layoffs and home foreclosures.

"At its core, the economy isn't the sum of an array of bewildering statistics," McCain said. "It's about the aspirations of the American people to build a better life for their families; dreams that begin with a job."

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Obama proposes bankruptcy changes

POWDER SPRINGS, Ga. (AP) -- Barack Obama on Tuesday proposed changing bankruptcy laws to fast-track the process for military families, help seniors keep their homes, and protect people recovering from natural disasters.

The Democrat so accused Republican rival John McCain of repeatedly siding with the banking industry, saying, "When it comes to strengthening the safety net for hardworking families, he's been part of the problem, not part of the solution."

Both candidates are in the midst of weeklong efforts devoted to the economy, the top concern of voters four months before the election as gas prices and job layoffs rise while the credit crisis and housing crunch continue. Each senator is trying to portray himself as most in tune with the needs of a middle class that's smarting from tenuous economic times -- and the other as out of touch.

It was in that vein that Obama castigated McCain -- and sought to link him to the unpopular President Bush -- as the Illinois senator announced his fresh proposals before a few thousand people in a high school gymnasium in this city outside of Atlanta.

"Like the president he hopes to succeed, Sen. McCain does not believe the government has a real role to play in protecting Americans from unscrupulous lending practices," Obama said.

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Obama denies shifting to reach political center

POWDER SPRINGS, Ga. (AP) -- Asked by a voter about accusations of flip-flopping, Democrat Barack Obama dismissed the notion Tuesday that he has been shifting stances on Iraq, guns and the death penalty to break with his party's liberal wing and court a wider swath of voters.

"The people who say this haven't apparently been listening to me," Obama said in response to a question at a town-hall style event.

Obama blamed criticism from "my friends on the left" and "some of the media" in part on cynicism that ascribes political motives for every move candidates make. "You're not going to agree with me on 100 percent of what I think, but don't assume that if I don't agree with you on something that it must be because I'm doing that politically," he said. "I may just disagree with you."

The Illinois senator was responding to a question from a self-described "reformed Republican."

"You had an interesting week off being accused of flip-flopping, which is mostly nonsense," the man said. He then asked Obama to restate his Iraq position, and Obama used the opportunity to dispel the idea he had changed his stances on a range of issues.

Since wrapping up the Democratic nomination last month, Obama has voiced positions that break with the Democratic Party's left and have seemed at times to shade his own past positions on a range of subjects. He's drawn criticism from some liberal Democrats who question his loyalty and from Republicans who accuse him of flip-flopping.

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DNC, Obama to seek broad input for party platform

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Democratic National Committee and Barack Obama's presidential campaign will hold meetings in all 50 states to get voters more involved in developing the party platform.

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano will chair the Platform Drafting Committee, the DNC and the Obama campaign were scheduled to announce Tuesday. The committee will invite members of the public to attend meetings around the country, with policy experts and other Democratic officials on hand to answer questions.

Both political parties produce a platform, or statement of its principles, each presidential election year. In the past, the DNC has held a limited number of public meetings around the country to seek input on the document, generally from advocacy organizations or research groups.

Voters can go to Obama's campaign Web site, http://www.barackobama.com, to sign up to host one of the meetings, which will take place July 19-27.

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In poll of pet owners, McCain tops Obama

WASHINGTON (AP) -- If the presidential election were up to pet owners, John McCain could have a blue ribbon in his future.

From George Washington's foxhounds Drunkard and Tipsy to George W. Bush's terriers Barney and Miss Beazley, pets are a longtime presidential tradition for which the presumed Republican nominee seems well prepared, with more than a dozen.

Democratic candidate Barack Obama, on the other hand, doesn't have a pet, though he has promised his daughters a dog after the election, win or lose.

An AP-Yahoo News poll found that pet owners favor McCain over Obama 42 percent to 37 percent, with dog owners particularly in McCain's corner.

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DAILY TRACK

Democrat Barack Obama is running about even nationally with Republican John McCain -- 46 percent to 44 percent -- among registered voters in the presidential race, according to the latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking update.

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THE DEMOCRATS

Barack Obama spoke to voters in Powder Springs, Ga., before he was to address the League of United Latin American Citizens' convention in Washington.

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THE REPUBLICANS

John McCain spoke to the League of United Latin American Citizens' convention in Washington.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"From an image standpoint, nothing humanizes a candidate more than seeing him lovingly dote on his pet or toss a ball around on the White House lawn." -- American Kennel Club spokeswoman Lisa Peterson.

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STAT OF THE DAY:

Fifty percent of those surveyed in a recent AP-Yahoo News poll viewed Republican John McCain favorably, while 40 percent saw him unfavorably. Democrat Barack Obama was seen favorably by 49 percent and unfavorably by 44 percent.

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Compiled by Ann Sanner.