Today on the presidential campaign trail

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., right is greeted by Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, while Pastor Rick Warren looks on during a non-debate forum at the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. on Saturday Aug. 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

IN THE HEADLINES

Obama, McCain differ on abortion rights ...With $51 million in July, Obama's fundraising puts him in a strong position for fall campaign ... McCain says greatest moral shortcoming is failure to devote ourselves to greater causes

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Obama, McCain differ on abortion rights

LAKE FOREST, Calif. (AP) -- Presidential contenders Barack Obama and John McCain differed sharply on abortion Saturday, with McCain saying a baby's human rights begin "at conception," while Obama restated his support for legalized abortion.

Obama said he would limit abortions in the late stages of pregnancy if there are exceptions for the mother's health. He said he knew that people who consider themselves pro-life will find his stance "inadequate."

McCain expressed his anti-abortion stand simply and quickly, saying human rights begin the instant a human egg is fertilized. McCain, who adopted a daughter from Bangladesh, also called for making adoption easier.

The men's comments came at a two-hour forum on faith hosted by the minister Rick Warren at his megachurch in Orange County, Calif.

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Obama's July fundraising bodes well for fall race

CHICAGO (AP) -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama raised more than $51 million in July and the Democratic National Committee reported $27.7 million in donations last month.

Obama began August with $65.8 million on hand and the DNC had $28.5 million available, according to statements released Saturday. His July total was slightly less than the $52 million he raised in June but still eye-popping because he was off the fundraising circuit at home during his trip to the Middle East and Europe.

Obama's Internet-powered fundraising efforts have shattered all previous records for a presidential campaign, bringing in a total of $390 million so far. The Illinois senator has announced he will forgo public financing for the general election, giving up $84 million in taxpayer dollars for the final two months of the campaign and committing himself to a steady pace of fundraising.

By contrast, Republican candidate John McCain has raised just $140 million and has agreed to accept public financing for the general election and the spending restraints that come with it.

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McCain calls for greater volunteerism, sacrifice

LAKE FOREST, Calif. (AP) -- Presidential rivals Barack Obama and John McCain have shared a hug, two handshakes and their thoughts on faith in a televised, two-hour forum on faith.

The two nominees-in-waiting briefly exchanged civilities Saturday onstage between their separate appearances during a forum hosted by the minister Rick Warren at his megachurch in Orange County, Calif. The two hadn't appeared together in months, and they answered the same set of questions from Warren.

To standing applause in a packed auditorium and broadcast live on cable television, the three men held hands and made brief small talk. The Republican McCain and the Democrat Obama shortly set aside an increasingly negative back-and-forth between them to embrace in front of one of the country's most popular pastors.

McCain said the nation's greatest moral shortcoming is its failure to "devote ourselves to causes greater than our self-interests."

After the September 2001 terrorist attacks, McCain said there should have been a national push for joining the Peace Corps and other volunteer organizations. Obama, meanwhile, said America's greatest moral failure is its insufficient help to the disadvantaged, especially victims of racism, sexism and poverty.

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THE DEMOCRATS

Barack Obama campaigns in Reno, Nev.

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THE REPUBLICANS

John McCain has no publicly scheduled events.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"I want to inspire a generation of Americans to serve a cause greater than its self interest. . But I also believe we face enormous challenges, both of national security and domestic." -- John McCain on why he wants to be president.

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STAT OF THE DAY:

Republican John McCain has 600,000 donors, while his party has reached 1 million. Democrat Barack Obama alone has surpassed 2 million contributors.

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Compiled by Jesse J. Holland.