Washington - Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain on Saturday appeared onstage together briefly for the first time in their general election campaign at a forum where each attempted to convince Christian voters they share their values.

The candidates differed most sharply over abortion, a ubiquitous issue in US elections and a key topic for typically conservative Christian voters.

The wide-ranging discussion about religious beliefs, values and politics was hosted by the Reverend Rick Warren, whose Saddleback Church in southern California has 

Washington - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's campaign raised more than 51 million dollars in July, with contributions from 65,000 new donors.

The campaign now has 65.8 million dollars on hand.

More than 2 million people have now contributed to Obama's race for the White House, his campaign announced Saturday.

Washington, Aug. 16 : A a University of Iowa Hawkeye Poll conducted the night of the Iowa Caucuses suggests the absence of Edwards would have helped Obama, and not Hillary Clinton.

The survey administered to one randomly selected caucus participant in every precinct in Iowa on Jan. 3, 2008, included a question on second-choice preferences if a first-choice candidate was not viable.

Washington, Aug.16: Rival American presidential contenders Barack Obama and John McCain will be guided by their immediate requirements when deciding on their respective running mates.

With the Democratic convention beginning on August 25, Obama is almost certain to name his pick before next weekend.

At 47, he is a lowly state senator with no foreign policy experience, and probably needs a reassuring, safe pair of hands at his side.

The Democratic contenders, according to The Telegraph, are Joe Biden, Evan Bayh, Tim Kaine and Sam Nunn.

The Democratic vice-presidential nominee is due to speak at the convention in Denver on August 27.