Blog Buzz: Barack Obama in Iraq and Beyond, McCain's Faltering Affair With the Media, and Vice Presidential Speculation

Our daily look at stories and topics lighting up the Internets today:

Obama-thon: The World Tour

How does Barack Obama sound? Strong (like the Republicans), say the libs. Like a surrender-and-spend liberal, say the cons, who add that he would be incurious and get Americans killed. (Wow, playing the blood-on-his-hands card in July.) With the Maliki pseudo-endorsement (or, strike "pseudo-endorsement" and replace with "confusing muddle"), is Obama now the national security candidate? Yes, yes, yes, say the liberals. And maybe. Does it matter who was wrong or right about the surge? Post your thoughts.

Love at first slight? McCain spurned—twice?

Reaction to the New York Times' rejection of John McCain's op-ed enters a second day. Is there a there there? No, no, no, say the liberals, it's just a bad op-ed. Or is it another case of the dread liberal media conspiracy taking down a conservative? Yes, yes, yes (and not just because of the Times), say the conservatives! Oh and look: A nuanced take. Meanwhile, the McCain campaign has released a new Web video blasting the media's googly eyes for Obama. Buzz supposes McCain would know the signs of media adoration pretty well. (Or as contented liberals might put it: Jealous much?) Maybe it's the fizzle gap.

Veepstakes

McCain-[Fill In the Blank]... soon? Maybe not. But it sure helps get some attention, doesn't it? Josh Marshall has one roundup. If Mitt, then soon, NRO's Jim Geraghty points out. Of course, Romney is talked about a lot, so probably not.

—Robert Schlesinger and Johannah Cornblatt